11/26/2009 - South Side Leader
     

COVENTRY — After a down year, the Coventry High School boys basketball team is looking to turn things around under new head coach Roger Reynolds.

Last year’s team ended the season with a record of 1-20, but Reynolds said this year’s squad starts with a clean slate.

“I was not the coach last year, so I don’t really know [what went wrong last year],” he said. “I do know and respect coach [Don] Schenz, so I’m not sure coaching was the problem. We are trying to instill discipline and accountability to everything we do.”

In the limited time he has had with the team, Reynolds said he has seen some aspects of the team on which they can try to build some success.

“Without having played a game, it is hard to assess strengths,” he said, “but I feel we have some quickness and good guard play.”

Reynolds said the team has a fair amount of experience this season.

“The team will consist of four seniors, one playing for the first time, and six to seven juniors,” he said. “Many of the juniors played varsity last year — so, yes, we do have experience.”

The team’s seniors are Jake Frounfelker, Traynell Brown, Zach DeShane and Jon Watkins.

“Our captains will be Jake Frounfelker and Traynell Brown,” Reynolds said. “The captain’s role is one of leadership by example. The senior year disappears in a heartbeat, and I want our seniors to reflect that with their effort.”

The team also is adding Josh Andears, a junior who was unable to participate last year.

“The coaches feel he has a chance to make an impact on the team this year,” said Reynolds.

According to the coach, Zach Sherbourne will be expected to share the point and Alex Tackett will be counted on for scoring help.

“All the remaining varsity players will be counted on heavily, since I like to play nine to 10 players,” he said.

Reynolds’ assistant coaches are: varsity assistant Rich Crewes; junior varsity coach Jason Oberdier; freshmen coach John Murray; eighth-grade coach Jon Hatch; and seventh-grade coach Danny Savage.

Although this is his first year as the head coach of the Coventry boy’s basketball team, Reynolds said he has been involved with coaching for several decades.

“I tend to be an optimist,” he said. “Most coaches think they can make a difference. I think we can be successful this year. I was lucky enough to coach with some of the best coaches in this area, and one thing they all had in common was expecting to do well.”

Getting the first win under their belt will be important for the players, Reynolds noted.

“I am not a brain surgeon, but when your team won one game last year, the first key to your season is to win a game early,” he said. “If hard work is not rewarded, it becomes a drudgery.”

The Coventry Comets will open the season on the road at Fairless High School Dec. 4 at 6 p.m.

“I have been very happy with the effort that the team has given the coaches,” Reynolds said, “and I am looking forward to the season.”

• Firestone loses City Series game to Buchtel
• CVCA hockey team’s strong season includes 10-1 league record
• ‘Enthusiastic’ Elms bowlers working as team to build program
• A new season, a new outlook for Tribe
• West Side Scoreboard
• Hope on the Slopes helps local children in need
• Coventry girls basketball team compiling winning record
• South Side Scoreboard
• Boater education classes coming to Springfield