The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Seasoned core leads Red Raiders to 6-0 start
Senior Daylin Davis and juniors Devon Holbert and Bishop Thomas endured more defeat than victory in their past two seasons on Harvey’s varsity team.
The Red Raiders compiled a 20-28 record in those seasons, yet Coach Dave Wojciechowski’s leadership core entered the 2018-19 season prepared to restore Harvey’s program to success.
Although the season remains in its infancy, Davis, Holbert and Thomas’ work dating to youth competition in the Painesville Basketball Association is beginning to pay dividends. The Red Raiders are 6-0, with double-digit wins over Chagrin Falls and defending CVC Chagrin champ West Geauga, thanks in part to development of their experienced varsity players.
“They’re hungry,” Wojciechowski said. “I think these guys have the potential to be that winning light for everybody.”
Davis leads the team with 14.3 points and 3.5 steals per game. Thomas worked during the offseason to expand his offensive game, and scores 11 points per game. Holbert, a 6-foot-3 all-around athlete who moved out of the post to play point guard last year, fills whatever role his team needs in a given game.
The trio is in the midst of its third year together as starters on the varsity team. They say everything from film study to practice and social time after games or practice sessions are much improved than in recent years. Thomas notes the group’s experience together means everyone is on the same page, and the team is able to have more fun playing within its systems. Holbert compares the connection between he and his teammates to that of a family’s bond.
Plus, multiple years as teammates make it easy for Harvey’s players to work together.
“It makes it 10 times easier,” Thomas said. “You know what they can do and what they can’t do. You can use that.”
Wojciechowski no longer needs to encourage his group to buy in to his philosophies. Their own work outside scheduled practices, learning plays and terminology, also allows Harvey to
maximize its practice time.
“Our coaches are always saying practices should be way harder than games,” Davis said. “We practice, a lot, really hard and then the games come easy. We just go out there and have fun.”
The Red Raiders opened their season with a fivepoint win against North. Since, their closest game has been decided by 31 points. Harvey defeated Hawken, 87-36, toppled West Geauga on its home floor, 67-43, and won at Chagrin Falls, 74-43. The victory over the Tigers was the Red Raiders’ first under Wojciechowski — Chagrin Falls defeated Harvey in the teams’ previous 12 matchups since his tenure began.
One other factor aids the
Red Raiders’ hot start — the addition of freshman Roderick Coffee III, the team’s starting point guard. Coffee is related to Terrell Dillard, Harvey’s last basketball player to advance to the Division I college level. Coffee gained attention from the collegiate ranks before he stepped on the floor at Harvey. Early on, it’s easy to see why.
Through four games, Coffee averages 14 points per game and three assists per game. He leads the team with 4.8 steals per game. Wojciechowski’s noticed improvement from Coffee in each game, culminating in his 20-point, six-rebound effort at Chagrin Falls.
Despite his youth, Coffee is a smooth player who displays an sublime feel for
the game. He’s so in control that Wojciechowski, former coach at Villa Angela-St. Joseph, compares him to former VASJ star David Lighty — a player never fazed by a packed arena or any opponent he encountered.
“He ran the entire gym,” Wojciechowski said. “It went to his pace and Rod kind of is the same way, in a lot of ways. He’s cerebral, he knows the game. His shot, he’s got a tremendous shot, sweet rotation. He’s just smooth.”
Senior David Dobbins, who played his first season of varsity basketball last year, Jaylin Amos, Jaylen Cunningham and Ethan Hach round out Wojciechowski’s rotation. Tyrelle Early, a two-year
varsity starter, will return to the lineup when his thumb injury heals in January. Hach, a 6-foot-3 junior, adds needed intensity on the glass to Harvey’s current lineup that features a plethora of dynamic guards.
Harvey picked up wins over St. Martin de Porres on Dec. 21, then handled Riverside on Dec. 22 in the Battle of Painesville. Over the holiday break, the Red Raiders head to a tournament in Williamsport, Pa.. Harvey’s continued success hinges on improving its defense and rebounding. But, so far, count the Red Raiders among those who expected a change in their fortune this season.
“I’m not surprised,” Thomas said. “I’m surprised it took so long to get here.”