MEET THE TEAM
Rose Hill will undergo a new era this season as Siemens takes over the program for Rocky Stone. He might be a first-year coach, but Siemens is no stranger to Rose Hill. He's taught and coached at the middle school level for the last 21 years.Siemens brings with him a new philosophy, new principles and new beginnings. The most noticeable change you will see this season is the Rockets will try to get into running games with teams, at least early on. Siemens is a believer of pushing the tempo, especially with a guard-heavy roster, and having fun on the court.
But fun comes with winning and that's something Rose Hill struggled with last season. The Rockets scored over 50 points just eight times in 22 games. That will surely change with Siemens' tempo change, but the question will be if the Rockets can defend. Siemens will change Rose Hill's primary defense to man-to-man and also try some things like pressing in an attempt to speed other teams up.
He has a perfect point guard in senior T.J. Slade, also the football team's quarterback. The fast pace will suit him perfectly and he has the endurance, being a middle distance runner for the track team, to stay in the game and run Siemens' offense.
The bulk of the scoring load will be handled by Slade, Wyatt Clark, Bret Waddell and Michael Cleveland. Siemens is telling his players shots early in possessions, if open, are good shots, so there should be plenty of opportunity to go around.
It's a new and interesting style to bring in a league widely known for playing in the halfcourt. But if Siemens' system works early on and the players buy in, Rose Hill could end up surprising some people this season.
MEET THE CAST
T.J. SLADE | POINT | 5'10" | SENIOR
The ideal point guard in Siemens' offense, Slade has the quickness and endurance to play at one speed the entire game. He'll take on more of a scoring load this season and has a good sense of how to run the offense.
WYATT CLARK | WING | 5'11" | SENIOR
A little undersized, Clark is a slasher that plays on the wing but also has the ability to go down low and grab rebounds. He's a glue guy that will do all the little things to help the Rockets win.
BRET WADDELL | POST | 6'4" | JUNIOR
He'll likely have to play a lot of post on this team, but his mobile enough to play any position on the court. Has a nice outside shot and the height to post up and score from the blocks.
MICHAEL CLEVELAND | POST | 6'2" | SENIOR
A lineman in football, Cleveland will be the team's bruiser down low that fights for rebounds and provides sturdy defense. Might not score a lot, but will get his points from offensive rebounds and loose balls.
LOGAN WELCH | WING | 5'11" | JUNIOR
A junior that will see more time this season as the Rockets shift their focus to the perimeter. He'll play a lot off-ball and will give Rose Hill a zone-buster with his three-point shooting ability.
GABE NICKEL | POINT | 5'11" | JUNIOR
Another guard in the mix for major minutes this season. He'll spell Slade at the point whenever he needs it, but also has the ability to play off the ball and knock down the open shot when called upon.
The ideal point guard in Siemens' offense, Slade has the quickness and endurance to play at one speed the entire game. He'll take on more of a scoring load this season and has a good sense of how to run the offense.
WYATT CLARK | WING | 5'11" | SENIOR
A little undersized, Clark is a slasher that plays on the wing but also has the ability to go down low and grab rebounds. He's a glue guy that will do all the little things to help the Rockets win.
BRET WADDELL | POST | 6'4" | JUNIOR
He'll likely have to play a lot of post on this team, but his mobile enough to play any position on the court. Has a nice outside shot and the height to post up and score from the blocks.
MICHAEL CLEVELAND | POST | 6'2" | SENIOR
A lineman in football, Cleveland will be the team's bruiser down low that fights for rebounds and provides sturdy defense. Might not score a lot, but will get his points from offensive rebounds and loose balls.
LOGAN WELCH | WING | 5'11" | JUNIOR
A junior that will see more time this season as the Rockets shift their focus to the perimeter. He'll play a lot off-ball and will give Rose Hill a zone-buster with his three-point shooting ability.
GABE NICKEL | POINT | 5'11" | JUNIOR
Another guard in the mix for major minutes this season. He'll spell Slade at the point whenever he needs it, but also has the ability to play off the ball and knock down the open shot when called upon.
FROM COACH SIEMENS
"We have to be committed to getting into shape and working hard. Offensively, we'll look to attack the space when it's there and be unselfish. If we do those things, then we'll get back to where we're competitive every single night. My job is to get them to compete and play hard every night and then the wins will come as they may."
THE PREDICTION
Siemens brings in a fun and exciting brand of basketball to Rose Hill, which should see an increase in scoring this season. That might be the cure for what ailed the Rockets last season, but it is the first year in the system and will take time to adjust to. I think Rose Hill hovers around .500 for much of the season; a winning year would be a success and a step in the right direction under Siemens.
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