Sophomore Michael White scores over the St. Thomas defense. The Cooper City Cowboys are optimistic about having a great season.
BY JACOB FIERMAN
Hard work and dedication are two words commonly associated with sports, and the Cooper City High School boy’s varsity basketball team is the epitome of these words. Through long hours in the gym and countless time on the hardwood, the Cowboys hope to outshine the rest of their district, and bring home victory.
Preparing for this season was a test of willpower for each player. The pre-season consisted of workouts 6 days a week, where the players would do specific drills such as running the mile in under 6 and a half minutes or lifting weights. Open gym helped to get the team chemistry going and let the coaches see what positions fit each player the best.
“Every day we worked hard, and tried new practice techniques,” senior Ryan Muchnick said. “We worked on balance with plyometrics, tennis balls for reflexes, lateral movement, and flexibility.”
Each year the team must replace the graduating class. They acquired new players this season and most of them are juniors. These juniors are expected to bring a lot to the table in order to fill the roles left open by senior who’ve graduated.
“We bring energy and shear athleticism to the table which is a part of what we lost with the graduating class,” junior Scott Palmer said. “We plan to improve in all areas that need work by bringing in our individual skills.”
It will still be hard to fill in the spots of last year’s tall players. Steven Worrell, starting center for the varsity boy’s basketball team last season, will be a hard man to replace.
“Steve led the county in rebounds last year,” varsity basketball coach Scott Feldman said. “The young guys have an advantage because former players such as Gregory Bonomo have been around to help out.”
The team needs to improve in certain areas in order to fill this void. There are specific spots in the offense and defense that require work. The offense needs to get the ball down low to the big men, and limit its turnovers, the defense also needs to play more cohesively.
“We are more committed this year than we have been in the past,” Muchnick said. “We are more of a team, have more chemistry, and we focus more on skill than conditioning.”
There are many changes that the team plans to put in to action. Instead of a slower half court style offense, a fast break offense has been implemented. Right when someone grabs a rebound or gets a steal, the guards take off to the basket.
“We will be playing full court basketball, baseline to baseline,” Feldman said. “It is an up-tempo offense and the defense will depend on what players are on the court.”
This season the boys expect to win districts. That is the goal that they are striving for and will not settle for less. They plan to overcoming the odds and take on all the obstacles that this season will bring.
“We plan to follow the football teams success and win our 7A district,” Muchnick said. “Although it will be a hard task to accomplish, we are ready for it.”
Even though there is still work to be done, the team is ready to give it their all. The past has been put behind them and they’re preparing for the future. Keeping their eyes on the prize, the team will fast break towards victory.
