Boys' basketball team training their way to the top

By Jayden Preston 

News Reporter 

Over the recent years, Crete-Monee High School has never really been known as a great basketball program. Head Coach Jawan Nelson and his coaching staff are trying to change that narrative. 

The Warrior girls runs some drills before the game. Photo by Aiden Roop.

“I think our training is exquisitely engaging with our mental toughness to become better players,” Jayden Watts said.  

“I think the training will have a positive impact on our season. We’re seeing results already. First turkey tournament win in many years. 29- and 30-point wins without the starters finishing the game. We should be more competitive in this system against tough teams with hopes of upsetting the masses,” coach Antonio Cox said. 

The basketball program faced a rapid increase in performance last year during the 23-24 season.

“We can always use more time to train. Analyzing body mechanics, specific muscle conditioning, etc.,” Cox said. 

Now, some may think that basketball is just a sport that consists of a bunch of running and dribbling a basketball up and down a court, trying to get a shot and score a few points; however, basketball is also something that requires a scientific approach from the start of what players put in their bodies and fill their minds with.

What the players put in their bodies before practice can affect how they perform in practice and at games. A player’s nutrition and daily life habits play a major role in our adrenaline, stamina, and capability to physically be able to keep up with what our coaches make us do to remain in shape. 

“More strength building is number one. Focus more on nutrition. The science of the game. Mentally preparing for the next level,” Cox said. 

During the team’s two-and-a-half-hour practices, the coaches conduct a lot of running to build up the players’ endurance for the games; not only do they consistently have them run fast speeds in a certain amount of seconds, but they also make them practice running game plays at game speed even though it is practice. 

The coaches tend to have them run consistent plays such as 4-hi, Bulldog, Pistol, man-to-man, and five out. These are plays that not only force the team to keep their heads moving on the court but also make them gain a stronger court IQ when playing together so that when they compete against other teams, they can’t break past them to score a point. 

“Our training will affect us in the season because it will help us beat some of the tough teams as the season progresses,” Jaylen Blakes said. 

“I would say it’s making me a better basketball player by keeping me with good stamina and also being more open to making plays,” Jamal Williams said. 

To continue with the new coaching style, the team has improved the school’s program and the athletes that are a part of it. Not only has it improved the athletes and the school records for basketball, but it has also made the players on the team more hungry for success and training. 

“I feel like our training is very intense, physical, and very developing,” said Jamon Overall.