Liberty-Eylau looks for success in new chapter of boys basketball
Liberty-Eylau begins a new chapter in the boys basketball program when veteran Stasik Vaughn coaches his first varsity game tonight.
Vaughn was an assistant at New Boston for nine seasons and has been at Liberty-Eylau for the past four. This will be his first varsity head coaching position.
“We're going to run a fast-paced offense; we want to get the ball up and down the floor,” Vaughn said. “The key for us to be successful will be layups and free throws. If we can be consistent in making our layups and free throws, we'll be in good shape.
“We're very athletic, so defense won't be a problem. If they buy in to our team defense, help defense, we'll be pretty good.”
The Leopards host Tatum today in the season opener.
“We're going to press and trap the entire game, every game,” Vaughn said. “We're not going to let you sit out there shoot the lights out. As long as they buy in to what we're trying to do, we'll be OK.”
Jun io r guard Howard Bar ron returns with varsity experience, and much of the rest of the returning lettermen are still in the football playoffs.
Off the football team will be senior Decorian Phillips at guard, senior Orion Williams at post, Isaiah Cross at guard, Dominique Williams at point guard, Kentraile Akins,
Jaquevion Kirkendall and Talveyion Cooper.
“As far as seniors, we have Decorian and Orion, who didn't play last year due to injury,” the coach said. “We have a couple others, but those are the starters. We're a small team, compared to the other teams we're going to be playing, so we've got to play fast. We need to use what we've got.”
Expected to help early, and compete for time once the entire roster is filled out, are R'Aikem Harris, Orande Mainor, Javon Hunter, Keanu Daniels, Deveoncha Meadows, Kameron Green, Xavier Hill, Daevion Williams and Deanthony Price.
“We've got some younger guys off the jayvee, and some moved up late (last season),” Vaughn said. “I've got an advantage with those younger guys because I coached them at the middle school, so they know what I expect. These seniors I didn't coach, but I've seen them play. If I can get the I out of this basketball and we play team ball, we'll be fine because we'll get open shots.”
The Leopards will play four out-one in on offense.
“I've been really impressed with Harris so far,” Vaughn said. “He can see the floor well and pushes the ball. Daevion Williams is a big guy who can help inside. We've got shooters.”
Green is a shooting guard who didn't play last season, and Harris can shoot as well.
“We've got to get all the pieces together and find the right combination,” Vaughn said. “Our bench will play a huge part because we're going to be running, and we will have to sub in and out. We're going to run up and down the floor.”