Coahoma Bulldogs half-of-season recap
The Coahoma Bulldogs (1-6) are a team searching for their identity as their season has gotten off to a slower start than they would have hoped. After averaging just short of 50 points-per-game last season, the Bulldogs are struggling to find the net and are averaging only 39.3 points-per-game through their first seven games. Coahoma head coach Joe Mireles has been testing out different offensive and defensive philosophies to detect what will work best with the athletes that he possesses on his team.
“We're still searching for the defense that best fits these guys,” Mireles said following the home loss to Monahans. “Right now, we're running different kinds of defenses, different lineups, and we still have to find the one that is going to fit us.”
After getting a late start on the season because of the football team making it all the way to the second round of the playoffs, the Bulldogs are a team looking to mesh and improve quickly as the tougher part of their schedule approaches. Forward Zack Schneider at times looks like he is the best player on the court and can completely take over the game, but also at times is too reckless with the ball down-low. Limiting turnovers and continuing to improve on their high-pressure defense will serve the Bulldogs well and could lead them to a run in the postseason. For now, we have Coahoma's first seven games to dissect and we can see what was running through Mireles' mind following some of his team's early-season battles.
Let us take a look back at the Bulldogs' first half-of-the-season:
Game One: vs. Grady (L, 47-54)
“I was proud of them,” Mireles said. “It's different getting into basketball shape than it is getting into football-shape. Overall, I was proud of them and they did well.
Game Two: vs. Ozona (L, 46-56)
The Bulldogs lost both of their first two games by less than 10 points to start out the season at home and looked to pick it up on the road.
Game Three: @ Reagan County (W, 56-35)
The only win for the Bulldogs so far this season, the Bulldogs will have a chance to grab a second win against the Owls this weekend.
Game Four: vs. Dumas (L, 35-85)
Pinky Jones Hooptown Classic
“We just need to learn from the mistakes that we made,” Mireles said. “That's what tournaments are for. Just to learn where your weaknesses are at and improve on them.”
Game Five: vs. Colorado (L, 27-44)
Pinky Jones Hooptown Classic
“We just need to get back to the drawing board,” Mireles said. “More and more reps and more experience is what we need to get.”
Game Six: vs. Wink (L, 35-39)
Pinky Jones Hooptown Classic
Coahoma finished up the tournament with a 0-3 record (not including a 62-25 win over Stanton JV) after their loss to Wink.
Game Seven: vs. Monahans (L, 29-62)
“We have three guys with varsity experience,” Mireles said. “Everyone else on our team is just coming up and they haven't seen the speed and are getting used to it.”
Games 8-10: vs. Marfa, Reagan County, Mccamey Reagan County Tournament