Connellsville boys preview: Miller looks to turn around Falcons after winless season
Jim Downey | 蘑菇视频
Jelan Miller enters his third season as the head basketball coach of the Connellsville Falcon boys, and there is only one direction for the team to go and that is up after a tough, winless season last year.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Miller said. “We’ve got to work and try to improve our style of play, and I think we can get some wins that would let the seniors leave on a positive note.”
Miller said the Falcons improved their play in the second half of last season, even though the record doesn’t reflect that and felt they let a few games get away from them that could have been wins.
“I don’t think we had an identity last year and were just happy to be on the court,” Miller said. “This season this season the kids want to be here and working to mesh their talents as best they can to turn things around and get in the winning column.”
Miller said everyone involved with the team will have to hold themselves more accountable.
He said you just can’t throw five guys out there with a ball and say go get it. It’s up to him as a coach to put the kids in the best position possible to be successful on the floor. To help that along he will rely on six seniors to pull the team together. He says some have been with him for three years and will be counted on to help move the program forward.
Returning seniors include Anthony Piasecki, Jace Shearer, Jayden McBride, Bruce Giles, Capone Mickens, Issac Saylor and Elijah Praster.
“McBride and Mickens might be my best overall athletes,” Miller said. “They have the potential to have very good years. They, along with Piasecki and Giles, had a little bit of success during football. I would like to see that translate to the basketball court.”
Miller said he has some underclassmen that could push for more minutes during the season, noting every little bit helps.
Miller knows the Falcons are in a very good section with the likes of Bethel Park, Peters Township, Trinity and Thomas Jefferson.
“There are some good teams and good individual talent in this section,” Miller said. “I think I got a better feel on their style of play. Now it’s up to me to put us in the best position to get some wins.
“I always like to say. ‘Play hard, play smart, play together, play good defense and have fun.'”