[derby 4]

distressed ; Since Hites didn't have an outstanding team he went to the end of the bench and pouted ??? I fully understand the talent level on last years team but behavior like that from the head coach ( in our biggest rival game of the year no less ) sets a horrible example and could possibly demoralize an already fragile team.Oh well, lets move on. Everything I hear about Coach Truex is very positive. Go Gales !

[distressed05]

I hope Truex has a magic wand!

[lancaster90]

Originally Posted by Rapture

I've watched some of the games, and you are going to be stunned at how much differently these kids are playing. It does not look like the same group of kids. Luke's system both offensively and defensively is drastically different. And the kids are buying into it completely. That comes a lot with his personality and with this being his first year. I'm not saying they win all their games, but I will be very surprised if they average less than 40 a game like they have been. As for who...

Thomas has gotten much stronger and is still running well. Theiss looks completely recovered and looks much faster. My biggest surprise was Albanese. He doesn't physically look bigger but you can tell he has been in the weight room. He dribbles, passes pretty much everything so much stronger than last year. He shoots with people on him and doesn't shy away from contact. From the upcoming juniors - Trout had a move that was impressive and should have dunked, he was high enough. He also is on the court at the four with Thomas at times, a 6'6 and a 6'7 guy at the same time? McCandlish can flat out play, hes quick, and can shoot the three very well to go along with a dribble drive. Miller is playing good defense as well.

Mostly I was surprised at how different the kids looked. Saturday they didn't have Thomas or Trout and a few other missing and only lost by 2 to Africentric who are very good and athletic. They beat a good Ironton team on Thursday night when they went 4-0. They will play a much different brand of basketball than the last several years.

Oh and one more thing I forgot, at the beginning of the Ironton game on Thursday Theiss had an open look and passed it. Luke turned to McCandlish and said go get Theiss, if he's not going to shoot that then he's not going to help us. When Theiss came to the sideline he grabbed him something like "Riley you've got to take those shots when you're open, we can't score if we don't shoot. Now when I put you back in there you take those shots!" I'd wondered in the past why some kids didn't take open shots, looks like Luke isn't going to stand for people not taking advantage of open looks. He also grabs the boys coming off and coaches them up on what they need to do differently.

That's great to hear. I look forward to this winter but I will do it with guarded optimism.

[Rapture]

Originally Posted by lancaster90

That's great to hear. I look forward to this winter but I will do it with guarded optimism.

I'm with you, I'm done predicting wins and losses etc. The only thing I'm predicting is that the kids appear to be enjoying themselves. The offense looks a lot more upbeat and they will take more shots than previous years.

[The RingLeader]

lancaster will be beter but not much in wins cause of the league their in.
Truex is on the right track, it will take time! they are already better! good luck gales!

[Lancasterian]

Originally Posted by The RingLeader

lancaster will be beter but not much in wins cause of the league their in.
Truex is on the right track, it will take time! they are already better! good luck gales!

Have a little faith, boys! Better days are coming!

[shsfinest01]

Saw them the one day everyone was at OU, watched them play a bad Meadowbrook team and really struggled. One left handed guard who could shoot it and a few bigger bangers but not a lot of ball skills. They did play hard and their coaches were coaching them up. For that league I'd say it's really going to be a struggle though.

[benschenko]

We played them right out of the gate on Friday at OU and they played well against us. They were executing offense, knocking down shots, and crashing the boards. They lost to Pandora right after they beat us, then we crushed Pandora so take it for what its worth. Compared to seeing them at OU last year their intensity and effort and execution were much better. That being said good luck in that conference.

[Rapture]

Not reading much into the OU team camp, they did well last year and it didn't translate. Not only that, they've played without all the players almost every game this summer. Hard to get any continuity in a new system when you've not had everyone together.

[bballfan]

The months of July, August and September will be huge for a team like Lancaster. They dont have the talent or athletic ability to compete with the other teams in their conference. If over the next 3 months they can outwork everyone, and continue to build their strength and conditioning, they might be able to make it interesting.

I know that sounds general and something you can say for all teams, but this is where the successful teams from Lancaster's past have gained an advantage.

[distressed05]

August is a no contact month

[timbo_hoagie]

I spoke with Coach Truex the other day, and he said the kids are responding well to the summer workouts and open gyms. I think bringing the "Gale Force" back will be a HUGE motivation booster for these kids.

[The RingLeader]

they will be better, but it won t show for a couple yrs. tradtion will help if the young guys know how good that tradition is! if they get off facebook n their cell phones for a couple hrs each day, they will get better! it will be a tough building process, but is possible if the dedication is there! go gales