Miners finding their pace with new head coach
Brandon Kelly faces his first season with the Miners as head coach, replacing former head coach Andy Brakebill. Kelly said he brings with him an understanding of trying new things that fit this young team’s coachability and different brands of personality. “I believe our strengths will be our decision-making on the floor and the overall basketball IQ these guys have,” Kelly said. “Although not perfect, these guys seem to see the whole picture and are able to adapt quickly to the tempo of the game.” Though Kelly said he thinks it will take a few games for the Miners to find their pace, once they do, they will battle it out every night. Returning starter Max Chenault, a junior point guard, brings his “above average shooting, ability to make quick decisions and athleticism around the perimeter,” the coach said. Gary Storment, whose “ability to get in the lane and get by defenders [makes him] the toughest guy on the floor,” and Logan Roberts, who’s a “shooting threat,” will also help in the team’s decision-making success from the outside, Kelly said. Helping on the inside is Brayden Tackett, who’s “big and physical and can finish well around the basket,” and Christian Chambers, who’s a “good rim protector and long,” Kelly said. They are a complement to the strength from the outside — strength they will need in the Lendel Thomas Holiday Tournament in Harrison, the toughest opponents the coach thinks his team will face this season, he said. “Bigger schools with storied traditions of winning, combined with good coaching, will make for a tough atmosphere to play in for three days,” Kelly said. “Although [the Miners are] very young, you can expect to see us well-prepared for any opponent we have on the schedule. “These guys are the classiest group of guys I’ve coached and will represent the Bauxite community and the district itself very well.”