Akron.com

Chemistry key for Coventry boys basketball team



COVENTRY — Coventry High School boys basketball head coach Devon McAfee said the team’s motto this year is “we greater than me.”
“That’s the concept we’ve been stressing all year,” he said. “It’s about more than one player. It’s about us as a family, and that’s actually helped our chemistry. We’re young and the culture has changed. Our driving force is to build life lessons on and off the court. We’ve done a lot of team bonding, such as serving at the Haven of Rest and visiting some college games.”
McAfee, who was Coventry’s junior varsity coach for the past three years, had the team out to an 8-4 overall start, including a 5-2 league mark, through Jan. 13.
“The season has been great,” he said. “One of our goals before every game has been to be selfless, not selfish. We have a really great point guard, [junior] Ronnie Thompson, and he’s been great at getting everyone involved. He’s allowing and helping other guys to feel comfortable.”
The team’s only senior starter this season, McAfee said, is Devin Pauley.
“Devin is our five-man, but he can play forward, too,” the coach said. “He shoots the ball really well for his size. He’s a silent leader for us.”
Junior Cameron Ray and sophomores LaNeer Surles and LaGreer Surles round out Coventry’s starting lineup, McAfee noted.
“Cameron is our shooting guard. He’s a coach’s dream. He shoots the ball well and does the little things we need. He’s one of our better defenders,” the coach said. “LaNeer is an amazing player who has come a long way. He started as a freshman, but has really found his identity this season as a post player. LaGreer, his twin brother, is electrifying. In one game, he had three dunks within the first three minutes of the game. He’s one of our leaders. He’s a vocal leader and he’s very positive. LaGreer is our small forward and LaNeer is our power forward.”
According to McAfee, Coventry’s bench has “stepped up” for the team this season.
“Sophomore Kenton Duty is a versatile athlete. He has high energy and is another one who does the little things well. He defends and rebounds well,” the coach said. “Sophomore Landon Burkhart suffered an injury during the preseason and has battled back. He is a really fundamentally sound player who works hard. He will run through a brick wall for you. And junior Lucas Wagner is primarily our sixth or seventh man and he has started when needed. He is probably the best shooter on our team. When the ball is in his hands, it’s going to go in 50 percent of the time. He is very coachable and he has a very high IQ.”
McAfee said the team has set up several different goals for the season covering various aspects of the game.
“For instance, one of our main focuses is on becoming a more disciplined team,” he said. “But we also have goals like winning the league and advancing further in the district tournament. The past three years, we have lost in the first round of the district tournament. But we have a lot of talent and we are looking to proceed further this year. We also want to make a statement in the second half of league play. We want to make our mark and show that 2020 is a different year for us.”