Only 1 way to go for Rockets: Up

By MIKE KILROY Eagle Staff Writer

November 22, 2005 Last Updated: November 22, 2005 02:10 PM High School

SLIPPERY ROCK — Sean Strickland likes to see the glass as half full.

In his first season as the Slippery Rock High boys basketball coach last year, the Rockets suffered through a dismal 2-22 campaign.

He played as many as 15 players, trying to find the right mix to help in the future.

Strickland thinks he has boiled down the ingredients to form the right concoction this season.

And the glass is still very much half full.

"The best thing that comes out of (a 2-22 season) is you find out real quick who's loyal and committed to the program," Strickland said.

Strickland said he believes he has the players and the talent to improve markedly over last year.

In his camp, he has some bright minds, too.

"They are working hard on and off the court," Strickland said. "We have a cumulative grade point average of 3.34 on our team and five kids who have a 4.0."

He can only hope they will average more points per game than their GPA.

Last year, the Rockets had trouble scoring. Their only two wins came by fewer than two baskets.

Even with those facts, Strickland sees the positive.

"We were 2-0 in games decided by four points or less," he said, laughing.

Strickland expects more out of this group, though, and judging by the off-season the team turned in, he just might get it.

David Hewitt, who averaged almost 10 points per game last season, has added outside range to his inside game and is poised for a breakout senior season.

"He has worked his butt off," Strickland said. "He is by far the hardest working kid in this school. You can ask any coach he's played for — baseball, football — and they will all say the same thing."

Hewitt worked on his shooting touch during the summer and wowed opponents with his newfound skills.

He hit four straight 3-pointers in a game this summer.

"He can go in and out now, which is important for us," Strickland said.

The Rockets also have improving guard play with senior Joe Bryan at the point and sophomore Rhett Gordon on the wing.

Gordon has really elevated his game — literally.

"He is by far the most athletic kid we have," Strickland said. "He dunked over a kid this summer. It's nice to have someone athletically that will give teams matchup problems."

The other two starting spots can come from any number of players, but that number will be considerably smaller than last season.

Another positive that came out of the 2004-05 campaign was the Rockets played a lot of basketball.

"We have seven returning lettermen and a couple of those are sophomores," Strickland said. "You can just tell the difference over the summer how much they've grown. We basically played them in two seasons last year in JV and varsity."

That experience can only help this season.

It even has the optimistic Strickland thinking even bigger.

Playoffs? Yes, playoffs.

"People say we can't make the playoffs after a two-win season," Strickland said. "Whatever. As long as those kids in that gym believe it. That's all that matters.

"I told the kids I couldn't sleep last year because of all the losses. I had a team captain come up to me and say, 'Coach, you'll be able to sleep this year.'"

SLIPPERY ROCK HIGH SCHOOL2005-06 Basketball ScheduleDec. 2-3- at Saegertown Tip-Off Tournament;

Dec. 6- YOUNGSTOWN RAYEN;

Dec. 8- at Greenville;

Dec. 13- HICKORY;

Dec. 16- at Franklin;

Dec. 20- TITUSVILLE;

Dec. 23- at Grove City;

Dec. 27-28- at Mars Holiday Tournament

Jan. 3- at Sharon;

Jan. 5- at Fort LeBoeuf;

Jan. 10- GEORGE JUNIOR REPUBLIC;

Jan. 13- MEADVILLE;