“We haven’t really said anything about last year in practices. We just kind of moved forward,” MCS coach Eric Gwinn said. “But it’s definitely a positive, something we can use to build on. It’s something that helps the mentality of why you’re doing what you’re doing.
“Last year we spent a lot of time working on the process so that we could be a better team at the end of the season, and we’re doing the same thing this year. The returning guys saw what happened last year and know that if you focus on the process, you never know what might happen again.
“I definitely think we can be very competitive this year. We can surprise some people, sort of like we did last year.”
Gwinn is starting his 10th overall season at the helm (and fourth year since returning to the program) as the Eagles look to better their 15-11 record from 2015-16.
Middletown Christian lost its top two scorers, Jamaal Hunter and C.J. Reisinger, to graduation.
“Things are going pretty well so far,” Gwinn said. “Right now, we’re just trying to adapt to new roles. We have some guys that are stepping up and moving up in the pecking order.
“We’ve got a little more height than we normally have, and I think we have some decent athleticism. We have some interchangeable pieces, some guys who are tall that can play both inside and out. That’s something we might be able to use to our advantage.”
The returning starters are 5-foot-8 senior point guard Cameron Russell and 6-3 junior swingman Dre Shores. Jarod Hamlin, a 6-3 junior forward, was the sixth man last year. That threesome combined for 21.5 points per game.
Ronin Koeller and Noah Lovely, both senior guards, are expected to round out the starting five. Coming off the bench will be junior forwards Jackson Ottke, Koen Yee, Jonah Crawford and 6-3 Nathaniel Clayton.
“We’re going to try to push the ball if we can, but we know we’re going to have to be able to score in the halfcourt,” Gwinn said. “We’ll probably end up being more of a halfcourt team. We’ll probably depend on the 3-point shot just like we did a little bit last year.”
He pointed to Russell, Shores and Koeller as the top 3-point shooters. Gwinn isn’t expecting one player to be a big-time scorer for the Eagles.
“I think the question mark is where we’re going to get our scoring each night,” he said. “I think we’re definitely capable. We have a roster full of guys that can shoot the ball and drive the ball, and we’ve had really good chemistry so far. I think it’s just a matter of actually putting the ball in the basket each night.”
Will this be a physical team?
“I think we’re working toward that,” Gwinn said. “That’s a point we’re trying to get hammered home.”
MCS will open the season against visiting Bradford on Dec. 2.
Middletown Christian Eagles
Coach: Eric Gwinn, 10th season
2015-16 Record: 15-11 overall, 6-6 in the Metro Buckeye Conference (fourth place)
2016-17 Schedule (7 p.m. start times unless noted): Dec. 2 — Bradford, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 6 — Cincinnati Trailblazers, 8 p.m.; Dec. 9 — at Madison; Dec. 10 — Horizon Science Academy, 2 p.m.; Dec. 16 — Yellow Springs; Dec. 22 — Carlisle; Jan. 6 — at Legacy Christian Academy; Jan. 7 — East Dayton Christian; Jan. 10 — Dayton Christian, 8 p.m.; Jan. 13 — at Troy Christian; Jan. 20 — Emmanuel Christian; Jan. 24 — at Yellow Springs; Jan. 27 — at Miami Valley; Jan. 28 — Temple Christian, 12:30 p.m.; Jan. 31 — Jefferson; Feb. 3 — Legacy Christian Academy; Feb. 4 — at Fayetteville-Perry, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 7 — Calvary Christian, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 10 — at Dayton Christian, 8 p.m.; Feb. 11 — Miami Valley; Feb. 14 — at Emmanuel Christian; Feb. 17 — Troy Christian
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