When you look at this Steelton team on paper, all you can say is "WOW"..... They have tons of athleticism and talent plus there's some guys with a great deal of Varsity experience..... So what's the problem? I'm not 100% sure but I think I have an idea......
In watching this Steelton team play through their first two games, it's too early to say just how good they will be or will not be.... They matched up against a very good Susquehanna team in the first game, but then played against a young and very inexperienced Berks Catholic team that happened to have a good lead guard in 6'0 jr Chris Warren and a very raw Center in 6'10 jr Nana Foulland....
Coach Hawthorne is trying to figure out the best combinations to put on the floor but the players are so inconsistent at this point.... One thing I can say is the most consistent player for The Rollers has been sophomore combo guard Dae'Quan Fleming... This kid just makes plays happen.... I don't know where this Steelton team would be had he not popped up on the scene.... He led the team with 13 points against Berks but his points seem to always come at the right time...
6'2 sr wing forward Mark Perry has his moments but has to look to improve his mid range game and not force the issue.....
James "Monk" Warren has been placed in a role of leadership now that ex Roller Jordan Milberry is at Susquehanna.... Warren has to work on finishing better and making plays for others off the dribble.... If he and Fleming can build some chemistry and feed off of each other, that can be a pretty good backcourt by playoff time....
Then there's guys that are going on their 3rd year on varsity and the expectations are much higher for them.... I'm talking about Anthony Ferguson, Broderick Settles-Simmons and Shaquinn McNeal..... These guys should be leading their team at this point but for some reason they have taken a back seat to the other guys....
I can say that McNeal is giving the effort to try and make plays happen, he just doesn't posses the IQ at this point to lead on both ends of the floor.... Ferguson did a great job keeping Foulland off the blocks but he needs to increase his low post scoring and be more vocal on the court.... Settles-Simmons is just settling ( no pun intended) for the outside shot and standing at 6'4, it would be nice to see him take it inside every so often and draw some contact.....
I know it's early but this is a prime example of what happens when kids get the keys to the car at a young age but take it for granted.... These kids needed to be in the gym during the off season working on weaknesses.... Especially when the gyms are open everyday.....
On a brighter note, 6'4 sophomore Jaki Bowman came off the bench and played really well..... In my opinion, he's earning more and more playing time along with 6'7 jr Mikol Jenkins....
Things will get a lot easier for Steelton as the are now in the Capital Division this year..... Expect to see this group turn it up now but they still will need to be ready for the "BIG BOYS" once the Mid Penns, Districts and States come around.....
Early but a lot of work to do..... Can't put everything on coaches, players have to do their part!
Coach Little
In watching this Steelton team play through their first two games, it's too early to say just how good they will be or will not be.... They matched up against a very good Susquehanna team in the first game, but then played against a young and very inexperienced Berks Catholic team that happened to have a good lead guard in 6'0 jr Chris Warren and a very raw Center in 6'10 jr Nana Foulland....
Coach Hawthorne is trying to figure out the best combinations to put on the floor but the players are so inconsistent at this point.... One thing I can say is the most consistent player for The Rollers has been sophomore combo guard Dae'Quan Fleming... This kid just makes plays happen.... I don't know where this Steelton team would be had he not popped up on the scene.... He led the team with 13 points against Berks but his points seem to always come at the right time...
6'2 sr wing forward Mark Perry has his moments but has to look to improve his mid range game and not force the issue.....
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| Jaki Bowman and James "Monk" Warren of Steelton |
Then there's guys that are going on their 3rd year on varsity and the expectations are much higher for them.... I'm talking about Anthony Ferguson, Broderick Settles-Simmons and Shaquinn McNeal..... These guys should be leading their team at this point but for some reason they have taken a back seat to the other guys....
I can say that McNeal is giving the effort to try and make plays happen, he just doesn't posses the IQ at this point to lead on both ends of the floor.... Ferguson did a great job keeping Foulland off the blocks but he needs to increase his low post scoring and be more vocal on the court.... Settles-Simmons is just settling ( no pun intended) for the outside shot and standing at 6'4, it would be nice to see him take it inside every so often and draw some contact.....
I know it's early but this is a prime example of what happens when kids get the keys to the car at a young age but take it for granted.... These kids needed to be in the gym during the off season working on weaknesses.... Especially when the gyms are open everyday.....
On a brighter note, 6'4 sophomore Jaki Bowman came off the bench and played really well..... In my opinion, he's earning more and more playing time along with 6'7 jr Mikol Jenkins....
Things will get a lot easier for Steelton as the are now in the Capital Division this year..... Expect to see this group turn it up now but they still will need to be ready for the "BIG BOYS" once the Mid Penns, Districts and States come around.....
Early but a lot of work to do..... Can't put everything on coaches, players have to do their part!
Coach Little
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