|
Two lettermen, new
faces on coaching staff for BAHS hoops team
Fans of the Bradford High boys basketball team will be quick to notice that not much is the same from last year’s squad.
The buzzword around the bird’s nest is “new” in 2008-09 as the Owls return only two lettermen and welcome fresh faces to the coaching staff.
Head coach Dave Fuhrman, 306-157 as he begins his 19th season at BHS, noted last year’s “talented” senior class took with them three District 9 championships, a PIAA Elite Eight finish and 80 percent of the Owls’ offensive output from a year ago.
“We have a very inexperienced team, returning only two lettermen and we don’t have much size or bulk,” Fuhrman admitted.
The Owls’ tallest player is only 6-3 and they have only one player over 200 pounds.
“I also have a whole new coaching staff at the varsity and JV level, so we are all learning together and getting to know each other in the early going,” Fuhrman said.
“We have a lot of players who are making the transition from JV and freshman basketball to varsity basketball, where the speed and physicality of the game can be a big adjustment,” he explained. “How quickly we can take that step and get comfortable as varsity players will be a big factor in our success, but I think our guys are ready for it to be their time. Our players and coaches are looking forward to the challenges of the upcoming season.”
Leading Bradford through the campaign will be lettermen Drew Kelly, a 5-10, 180-pound senior guard who averaged eight points per game last year, and David “Pug” Fuhrman, a 5-11, 175-pound junior guard.
“Drew is our only returning starter,” Fuhrman said. “We need him to be a consistent double-digit scorer for us.
“He can shoot the three and has improved in putting the ball on the floor and driving to the basket. He has been practicing hard and he will be a big key for our team.
“Pug lettered off the bench last season and has really worked hard on his game and conditioning this past off-season,” Fuhrman continued. “He’s a good three-point shooter and is putting the ball on the floor and going to the basket much better. He’s gotten stronger and he knows the game.
“He and Drew should be able to stretch the defense and give us good offensive production on the wings,” he said.
The starting forward spots will be manned by 6-2, 155-pound junior Ryan Mackey and 6-0, 165-pound junior Evan Kline.
“Ryan has been very loyal and dedicated to our off-season program,” the coach noted. “We played 42 games this summer and I don’t think Ryan missed any of them. He gets off his feet and we need him to rebound and score around the basket for us.
“Evan is an athletic slasher who we’re also counting on to be a defensive stopper,” Fuhrman said. “We need Evan to be a consistent scorer, defender and rebounder for our team.”
Mike White, a 5-11, 140-pound junior, will handle the point-guard duties.
“Mike is a solid defender and a good ball handler,” Fuhrman observed. “He has the ability to get into the lane and break down the defense, and we need him to look for his shot as well as create shot opportunities for his teammates.”
Fuhrman said his bench will be one of the team’s strengths as he believes he can go nine or 10 players deep.
Senior co-captains Zach Frombach (6-3, 145-pound forward) and Tyler Grandy (5-10, 165-pound guard) will lead the bench brigade and provide “much-needed leadership” for the Owls.
“Zach is our tallest player at 6-3 and his ability to play both inside and outside may create some matchup problems for our opponents,” Fuhrman pointed out. “He has a great attitude and has worked hard to improve his game in the off-season.
“Tyler returns to the team after missing all of last season due to a knee injury,” the coach said. “Tyler’s knee appears to be healed and he is very versatile and can play either the point- or the off-guard position. We’re also asking him to carry over his leadership qualities from the football field to the hard court.”
Cory Viola, a 5-6, 125-pound senior guard, will add depth to the guard position.
“Cory makes up for what he lacks in size in heart and hustle,” Fuhrman stated. “He is very quick and can get to the basket and also has an uncanny ability to get in the passing lanes and get steals.
“Junior Trevor Burgoon (5-9, 130 pounds) is another guard who has been very loyal and may see some time off the bench,” Fuhrman added.
A trio of sophomores rounds out the Owls bench.
“Cody Coats (6-1, 185-pound forward) is very athletic and gives us a much-needed physical presence around the basket,” Fuhrman said. “I like the way he goes after rebounds and he also has a decent shooting touch around the basket.
“Cody Faucher (6-0, 175-pound forward) is athletic and physical and can play both inside and outside. He honed his skills on the AAU circuit last spring,” Fuhrman continued. “Charles Fair (5-6, 140-pound guard) is a hustler who has improved due to his work in the off-season.”
Fuhrman said overall, “the sophomores are thinking a little too much right now, but as they learn the system they will see more playing time.”
First-year players rounding out the Owls’ roster are senior Josef Godfrey (5-11, 145-pound forward); junior Tim Neugebauer (6-1, 165-pound guard); sophomores Andy Eliason (5-8, 155-pound guard), Dy’Ron Johnson (5-11, 170-pound forward), Kyle Viola (5-7, 185-pound guard) and Connor Borowski (6-0, 205-pound center); and freshman Colton Holzwarth (5-6, 120-pound guard).
After two full weeks of practice, Fuhrman said his chief concerns are rebounding, “because of our lack of size,” and being more aggressive on defense.
“Shot selection and shooting are going to be important since we probably aren’t going to get a lot of second-shot opportunities,” he added. “We also need to value the ball and limit our turnovers.”
New coaches will help Fuhrman guide the team toward accomplishing those goals as longtime assistant coach Mike Manning bid farewell to the program after 14 years when he accepted the head-coach position at Ellicottville (N.Y.) Central School earlier this year.
Brian Hobbs, a former standout hoopster at Otto-Eldred and Pitt-Bradford, will step in as Fuhrman’s junior varsity coach. Other new assistant coaches are Jon Hannon, Jason Blatchley and Rob Gault.
“I believe we have assembled a young, knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff that will work hard and have a positive impact on our players,” Fuhrman said.
“Our motto, ‘Believe in We,’ shows that we are emphasizing the importance of team and everyone’s contributions. I like the attitude and work ethic of this team and I think we have good chemistry.
“I’m excited about the season and am looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish with this team. Our December schedule is tough, and if we can get off to a good start and develop some confidence that would really help.”
Due to late cancellations by New York schools Wellsville and Maple Grove, the annual Tip-Off Tournament will not be held. Instead, the Owls will open with Coudersport at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
 printer friendly version
 e-mail this story
Reader Comments
There are No comments posted. comments to this story.
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bradfordera.com.
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
|
