OTTUMWA —
The nerves and jitters of a true introduction to several new players and a new coaching staff made for a true ‘Meet the Warriors’ night for the Indian Hills basketball team.
This year, the Warriors were just as eager and enthusiastic as the fans that watched Barret Peery lead IHCC to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament in first year at the helm.
With returning sophomore Jameel McKay leading the way out of the tunnel, 14 players ran out to the middle of the Hellyer Student Center floor to get the season underway. One year after hitting the ground running, almost literally, in a very successful first season under Peery.
“There’s no secret about how we’re going to play and what we’re going to do,” Peery said. “We’re going to try to play fast offensively and really guard full-court defensively. I think we’ve got a lot of good bodies to do that.”
Part of Tuesday’s festivities included a 20-minute scrimmage that reintroduced the Warrior fans to the fast-paced style that came to be a staple of last year’s 33-4 squad that finished seventh in the nation. Players decked in white and black IHCC jerseys ran up and down the court in a fluent motion that the Warriors will look to use to wear down their opponents for a over 40 action-packed minutes per game.
Unlike last year, with the Warriors featuring only two returning players, a familiarity with their coach and each other has made this group of players ahead of schedule as Indian Hills prepares for their season opener next Friday night.
“I’ve wasn’t really as nervous coming out here this year. I knew what to expect and was excited to display the talent we have on the team this year,” McKay said.
McKay, fittingly, led the team onto the floor for their first appearance in front of the home fans. The sophomore returns after leading IHCC in scoring and rebounding last year and is taking on the new role as team leader this year.
“It’s a different role from last year. It really took a lot of maturity for me,” McKay said. “You’ve got to lead by example at all times. Knowing that people look up to me as a player and knowing what I do can reflect on the program. I just try to teach that to all the new players.”
Several of those new players showcased their skills during the festivities. Freshman Justin Moss led all newcomers in the scrimmage with 14 points while also showcasing his expressiveness at the net in the slam dunk competition.
Fellow freshman Martin Dixon-Green also displayed an ability to be a clutch perimeter shooter, forcing sophomore transfer Ronald Ross into an extended final of the Warriors’ 3-point shootout. Dixon-Green hit two buzzer-beating treys to tie the final before losing in sudden death, 11-10, to the former top-scorer at Vincennes.
“It definitely makes us excited about what we’ve got coming for us in the future,” Peery said after the showcase night for his new and returning Warrior players. “We had a good group last year. This year, I think we have an opportunity to be even better.”
Second-year players, however, stole the show in some aspects on Tuesday night. Trinson White returned to the floor in front of the home fans with a scrimmage-best 17 points, leading IHCC black over IHCC white, 52-44, in the intrasquad game.
“This year, I feel like the game kind of slowed down for me,” White said. “Last year, I let everything get going a little too fast. I think this year we’re letting the new guys get their feet wet and make sure everyone’s on the same page.”
“It’s been a lot more fun getting ready for this season.”
The season’s first game comes next Friday in the Warriors’ Jack Blackwell Classic opener against Carl Sandburg. There figure to be few moments at any point of this season that will rival a touching tribute by returning sophomore Frank Williams to a former Warrior teammate.
On his way to winning the slam dunk contest, Williams surprised his teammates and fans by taking off his jersey to reveal a Warrior shirt that had the number and name of former IHCC teammate Michael Haynes. After playing his sophomore season at Indian Hills last year, Haynes was killed in his hometown of Chicago during the offseason after signing with Iona College.
“I loved Michael with all my heart. I felt like I had to do something to pay tribute to him,” Williams said. “That’s what a lot of this season is really for Michael. It was something I felt like I had to do.”
Sports
October 24, 2012
Warriors reintroduce themselves to fans
‘Meet the Warriors’ kicks off 2012-13 IHCC hoops season
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