Men’s hoops looks to build on last season
Joseph Starkloff
MCC’s men’s basketball coach Sam Ballard sat down with the Legend to discuss the upcoming season. Last year the Thunderbirds went 25-7 and were regional champs.Question: What is the style of play for this year’s team?
Ballard: “We haven’t really discovered (our style of play) yet. Every year in junior college you have a lot of new guys. We have a concept of how we’d like to play, more or less, so you try to fit them in to how that’s going to be.
Question: What type of playing concept do you try to install into any team you coach?
Ballard: “We always like to run first, but we also have to be under control and realize that really good teams get back and play good defense so we have to have good offensive sets. I think that’s where we are right know, (we’re) just learning those things.”
Question: What area of the game do you have the most room for improvement?
Ballard: “(We need to improve on) finishing the most. We get a lot of open shots, (but) right now we’re a little bit reluctant to shoot the ball, and we miss some easy inside finishes. I think that just comes with time, confidence and experience… Defensively I think we’ll be okay. Last year we were fourth in the nation.”
Question: What is the team’s biggest strengths ?
Ballard: “(The team) gets along really well and has some good athletes. (We) have good size and a blend of returners who are pretty experienced. We’re counting heavily on them. The fact that we have three starters back is a good thing.”
Question: Who would you identify as your key players?
Ballard: “John Balwigaire is our point guard (and) he was a big contributor to last year’s regional championship team. He can score. Alex Rudd, who was key contributor last year, is back. He has good range and can score. Both those guys defend well. Tola Akomolafe is a gifted athlete, but needs to become a better scorer. He’s a terrific defender. Those three guys are who we’re really looking to lead us.”
Question: How would you compare this year’s team to last year’s team?
Ballard: “We’re probably about the same when it comes to interior ability. We’re not quit as deep as we were in 3-point shooting. (We’re) probably a better overall rebounding team than we were last year.”
Question: How is the team’s depth?
Ballard: “Generally what I think we have, and what I hope we have, is a good buddy system at each position. You like to be about 10 deep minimum and last year we were nine deep. This year I think we’re a good 10.”
Question: What would you say is the team’s philosophy onhow to win games?
Ballard: “They say defense wins championships and it’s true because defense puts you in a position to win at the end. The key thing in our philosophy is if you don’t do it you don’t play. The bench is a terrific motivator.
