Bracken County 2014/2015

[gold sunrise]

Basketball season for 2014/2015 should provide another exciting year. What should we expect from Bracken County. Remember, please be constructive.

[polarbear98]

From another thread.. I know Im lazy this morning :ohbrother: I just ammended it a little :thumb:

 

The 2014-2015 Polar Bears will be a very young team. With only 1 senior and 2 or 3 juniors. Will not be a big team eithier. With that said they will still be a competitive team. 2/3 of the starting five will be Sophmores. With Austin Crawford leading the way. The team will go as he goes. He is their star. He averaged around 23 ppg as a freshman. In the backcourt wit Crawford will be fellow Sophmore Jacob Hamiliton. Hamiliton is a 5'10" guard that compliments Crawford very well. He has a very good outside shot and can at times drive to the basket and create contact. Last season he usually was the first off the bench. And when their was an injury he was in the starting five.

 

In the front court I see Sophmore Brady Jones being a player that can make an impact. He's a 6'3"ish foward that can play with his back to the basket. Probally will be undersized against a lot of the bigs in the 10th but he has a good motor and give a lot of effort. Last season he seen some varsity time and started a couple games. Needs to really work on his footwork and getting to the basket. Improving his rebounding aggressiveness will also be a plus.

 

Also in the front court I see Cole Todd possible seeing an increase in minutes. He is their lone senior. He had very good leaping ability and can get a lot of boards. Being a defensive presence will be very important for him to ensure his PT. Also footwork around the basket will need some work.

 

I see the Polar Bears playing a lot of three guard sets with Kolton Williams being the third guard. He is a 5'10"ish guard with a very good outside shot. He should get a lot of oppertunities to be the recipient of the drive and kick. He's a spot up shooter and likes to catch and fire. If he's on he can create headaches for the other team. I liken him to Augusta's Conner Maddox. Maybe not the same level as Maddox but their style of game is similar.

 

 

Their bench will not be very deep and very young. They may go 1-3 deep off the bench. Cooper Egnes will probally see signifigant playing time at the point. He is a good ball handler and can step in to give Crawford or Hamilton a breather. Dylan Biddle could also fill in the gaps when needed. He's a 6'2"ish junior that has a decent outside shot.

 

Overall I don't think scoring will be a problem, but being a small team rebounding could be an issue. There are some good shooters (free throw and 3pt). They really need to have a good defensive scheme. While their size could be looked at as a disadvantage if they can be quick and force some pressure on defense maybe they can create a lot of turnovers and transition scoring, could be a big asset for them.

 

I'm positive the new coach Jeremy Miles will have the boys ready. I've not yet had an oppertunity to meet him. But I've heard nothing but great things about him. Sounds like a great guy and has a very good basketball mind. Only time will tell about this yrs squad. They are very young and I anticipate some growing pains throughout the season. With that said I'm confident they can make a run in the All A. That should be a little more wide open this year. And I also expect them to return to the 10th region tournament again this season.

 

I took in Bracken County blue/white night this evening and are the highlights of the ten minute scrimmage I saw this evening.

 

• All these kids have shot up in heights 90% of them fall into the 5'11"-6'4 category

• Every varsity player returning has improved over the summer.

• Austin Crawford is as advertised and then some!

• We will probally be the youngest starting 5 in the region

• Half the entire team JV and Varsity are Sophmores

• Perimeter shooting looks to be improved team wide

• Freshman squad has some big kids don't know about skill set but wow there a couple of tall kids.

 

 

From what I seen tonight if I had to guess the starting 5 it would be:

G 6'1" Cooper Engus Soph (good ball handler and couuld possibily run the point)

G 6' Jacob Hamiliton Soph (good shooter and can drive to the basket and create)

G/F 6'4" Austin Crawford Soph (what can i say that has not already been said? Kid is the real deal)

F Brady Jones Soph (footwork and mid-range shot has vastly improved from last season)

F Cole Todd Senior (can jump out of the gym which will help the rebounding and his jump shot has come a long way can knock down a three or two a game)

 

6th man Kolton Williams (has a nice pire jumpshot and can hit from deep, doesnt create for himself alot more of a spot up shooter)

This team could possibily go 3 deep off the bench

 

I know they didn't show all their cards in this glorified practice but what they did show looked good. Very efficient, good crisp passing. Not just taking the first shot but taking the good shot. I'm glad to see another good ball handler to take the load off of Crawford (Engus). Now he doesn't have to bring the ball up every trip and can set screens and can backslid cut to the basket. But if he needs to be can take you off the dribble and pull up from 17. Three point shooting team wide has improved.

 

Overall I think this team will turn many heads this season and will be a surprise to many this season .

[All Blue]

[Fire Inside]

Crawford had 41 in their first scrimmage this year.