MBHS Basketball 2013-2014 Season Preview
When the 2013-2014 high school basketball season tips off during the first week of November, area teams will have a similar vision of winning it all and holding up the state trophy. They will imagine training, team chemistry and maybe even a little luck could make that a reality.
Seven short months ago, it was a reality for Mountain Brook High School boy’s basketball team and coach Bucky McMillan. Before a huge crowd at the BJCC, they defeated Sparkman 74-53 to win the 6A Boys Basketball state championship. But even with that vision fresh in their minds, before the trophies are handed out or the nets cut down again, there’s a lot of work to be done. A tough schedule and some new faces is just the beginning.
“Our goal isn’t to repeat,” sixth year coach McMillan said. “Our goal is to work harder and smarter than our opponent and to be fearless.”
And they might need to.
Mountain Brook’s schedule will pit the team against the best in the state long before the year-end tournament.
“I’m excited about our schedule and several tournaments we play during the year, including the week of Thanksgiving at The University of Alabama,” McMillan said. “When you play a high level of opponent, everyone competing will learn very quickly they can’t get away with mistakes, and they will gain invaluable experience by playing those teams.”
A lot of key players from last season’s championship team have graduated, but for the remaining players that watched them win it all, they already have some of that valuable experience gained by just being a part of a winning process. Returning players include a trio of great shooting guards in Ben Shearer, Patrick Keim and Tawarran Grant, younger brother of Malek Grant. They will also look for great performances from 6-foot-7 center Alex Peters and forward Jack Kline.
“Our defense should also still be great,” McMillan said. “I understand that for the JV players moving up to varsity is like going from high school to college. But even with growing pains, we plan to push teams defensively.”
McMillan knows that defense was largely responsible for their 30-6 record last season. But just as important was how they pushed teams offensively.
McMillan said fans can expect the same up-tempo, explosive running the team had last season and a lot of 3-point shooting. McMillan understands there will be a learning curve, but believes his players will grow with each game and looks forward to the faithful fan base encouraging that growth. Whether expectations are high or low from those that cheer them on, McMillan said he is excited about molding his players into champions.
“It’s like building a house,” McMillan said. “They have the foundation of winning. Now, they have to work hard, run fast, be fearless and get better game by game.”
Mountain Brook’s first game for the 2013-2104 season is Nov. 14 against Ramsay High School at home. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.