Cougars have high hopes

 

Coming off a disappointing 9-18 season, the Conner Cougars are looking to make strides to get them back to the 9th region tournament for the first time since the 2007-2008 season. The Cougars will come in to this season as the preseason #7 team in the Coaches Poll but that hasn’t changed Coach Jim Hicks expectations of his team.

 

“We’re continuing to get better everyday” Said Hicks. “ We’ve been out of the region tournament the last 4 or 5 years and we want to get back.”

 

The Cougars will be led by a front court of 6’3 Drew Barker and 6’2 Brady Padgett.

 

Barker is also a standout quarterback for the football team, with a long list of Division I and SEC suitors on the gridiron. Coach Hicks feels his success on the football field will help carry over to the hardwood.

 

“ Drew brings strength and experience to our team. His will to win and never quit attitude are great attributes for us.” Hicks continued. “ He has been a great leader for us and I think he can be a beast inside.”

 

“ I’m still trying to get back in to things (from football)” Said Barker. “ Last year I was a role player as a ball handler, so my face up game and ability to play both inside and out has improved since last year.”

 

Although he lacks size of most post players, Brady Padgett will compliment Barker with the experience he brings from last years’ team as well as his quickness and versatility.

 

“A lot of people don’t think he can accomplish what he can.” Said Hicks. “ He has deceptive quickness and is very crafty with his game.”

 

Although he isn’t a true front court player, 6’4 Sam Hemmerich will be counted on to use his versatility to stretch defenses and keep them from keying on the big guys. Hemmerich has put in work in the weight room and Coach Hicks feels like it will make him that much tougher to defend.

 

“ Samuel is an outstanding shooter.” Hicks said. “ He’s adding the ability to shoot off the bounce and put a tremendous amount of work in (during the offseason) in the weightroom.”

 

Coach Hicks added that the additional strength and size has made Hemmerich more confident.

 

“He will create a lot of mis-match problems for the opposing team. Coming back with experience in the post and Sam hitting outside shots, teams won’t know how to guard us.”

 

The biggest issue for the Cougars will be the inexperience at the point guard position but Coach Hicks and Barker feel like it is a work in progress with Junior Andrew Way, who didn’t play last year, and Sam Riddle.

 

“ Sam and Andrew will split time (at point guard) and be on the floor together a lot.” Said Hicks. “Our three guards have gotten better. Andrew has gotten a lot stronger since his freshman year.”

 

“I’m looking forward to playing with these guys this year.” Said Barker. “ This years’ team comes to practice and works hard, pushing to get better.”

 

Expect Conner to get up and down more this year offensively with the improved team speed.

 

“ We aren’t the tallest team, but we’ll get out and run with anybody.” Said Barker “ We struggled at the point last year but with Andrew Way back and Nick Watts, we should be able to step up and fill that void.”

 

Standing in the way of the Cougars will be their district rivals in Boone County, Ryle, and preseason #2 Cooper. Coach Hicks talked a little about his teams’ goals.

 

“Our main goal is to handle one district opponent at a time and get back the district championship.”

 

With the 33rd district being more wide open than years’ past, the door is wide open for Conner to achieve their goals and get back to the regional tournament, where anything can happen.

 

“ I think we can get back to the region (tournament)” Said Barker. “ We beat Cooper last year so we have the mindset that we can beat them. That’s going to be a really good match up. We are hoping to be district champs. Coaches are pushing us and there’s a new mentality.”

 

The Cougars won’t have to wait long to see how they stack up with the best in the region. They open their season November 30th against Ludlow and turn around the very next night and travel to Union to take on the Cooper Jaguars.

 

For more 9th region hoops coverage leading up to and throughout the season, you can follow me on twitter: @Ryan_ky0203

Conner scrimmaged Oldham County on Saturday with Conner winning the first 3 quarters and losing the 4th and 5th. Once again, Conner was without Barker who was visiting Ohio State. Game started slow and sloppy for both teams, but improved with each quarter. It appears Conner is going to be much more up-tempo this year. They pressed for most of the 5 quarters and had some nice success. Guard play was sufficient, although there were some head-scratching turnovers. Hemmerich was a beast and scored at will in the 3rd quarter from all over the floor. I really think he emerges this year as a top player in the 9th. Padgett is still in football mode. Missed alot of "chippies", drew 3 charging fouls, and was whistled for 4 offensive fouls. Still a little rusty but he will be fine. For what it's worth, Conner went 2-0 in the preseason with wins over Walton and OC. And I know these are scrimmages, but certainly positive steps coming off a "down" year.

Conner has no true post player so I'm all for up-tempo or an open-post offense.

Conner really doesn't play a post game, or hasn't in the past. They have a couple juniors (Gilbreath, Yeager) of decent size that could help in the post. However, they have seen very little varsity time so it will take awhile for them to get adjusted. However, they are quite physical players and can play the post position. Conner just needs to take the ball inside more to help their outside game. Without the passes inside, the defense is going to stick close to Hemmrich. The 2 guards are not really consistent shooting guards so the defense will be able to cheat off of them.

Conner has no true post player so I'm all for up-tempo or an open-post offense.

 

Both Drew and Coach Hicks sounded excited when talking about the new look of this years' team when I talked to them. A lot of confidence with this years' team too.