Intensity, focus highlight first practices
10/11/2015 11:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
One week into preseason basketball practice for the coming 2015-16 season Sam Houston men's head coach definitely has a smile on his face.
“The guys are working hard,” Hooten said. “It's a good group. We're very happy with the intensity and toughness the guys are showing. There is no let down from day to day. The players have been attentive and focused every practice. It's exciting.”
Beginning his sixth season, Hooten has compiled a 98-69 record as Bearkats head coach. The last two years, his team has won 50 game – the most in consecutive seasons at Sam Houston since the mid-1970s. The Kats have finished as league regular season runner-up, reached the Southland tournament finals and played in the CollegeInsider.com post-season event both those years.
Hooten and his staff face the challenge of replacing four starters who each earned All-Southland Conference honors last year. Seven new players (one freshman and six transfers) join the team this season.
“As a coaching staff, I think we got spoiled last year with 11 guys back from a 20-plus win season,” Hooten said. “They knew all the drills and our terminology and had bought into our philosophy. This year, we're basically starting over at ground zero. No matter where you have played before, there's always new things to learn. But the new guys are very receptive.”
The newcomers include junior college transfers 6-1 Jalin Barnes (Barton County), 6-5 Torry Butler (Three Rivers Community College), 6-4 Ameer Jackson (Dodge City), 6-8 Andre Sands (Casper College) and 6-0 Jovante' Spivey (South Georgia State). Cameron Delaney, a 6-4 transfer from the University of Denver, and 6-9 Marc Andre Fortin, a freshman from Quebec City, Quebec in Canada.
“As a team, I think we're faster and more athletic this year,” Hooten said. “I think we have a team as talented as last year's and that we can play faster than we did last sesaon. We averaged 75 points a game. That was good enough to rank us 30th in the nation in scoring. We can continue that pace.”
Last year's Southland Conference “Defensive Player of the Year”, 6-11 Michael Holyfield, is now with the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA. While Hooten does have a player in the lineup as tall as Holyfield, the head coach believes that size inside will be a team strength.
Aurimas Majauskas, a 6-8 junior who has been Holyfield's backup the past two seasons; 6-7 sophomore Jesse Lopez and 6-6 redshirt freshman Albert Almanza return to join Sands and Fortin under the basket.
“We have more depth with good size,” Hooten said. “Our wings are bigger than the last couple of years as well. Aurimas is a talented offensive player. We'll be trying to get the ball inside more this year.”
The head coach sees leadership as a team strength as well in 2015-16. Paul Baxter, a 6-2 senior guard, has started each of his three years as a Bearkat. Dakarai Henderson, a 6-2 junior guard, was the Bearkats' first player off the bench last season. Jamal Williams, a 6-4 sophomore, also was a key reserve.
“We're very happy with the way the veterans have come back this fall,” Hooten said. “Aurimas has worked hard and has become more athletic. Paul has always been a great leader and he has stepped it up even more as a senior. Dakarai is much improved both offensively and defensively. Jamal has shown a great work ethic as well.”
Joining Almanza as a red-shirt freshman is Josh Delaney, a 6-0 guard and younger brother of transfer Cameron Delaney.
"Both the red-shirts bring something to the table," Hooten said. "Albert is a good shooter and Josh is another leader for us."
Sam Houston opens the season on Saturday November 14 against the SMU Mustangs in Dallas. The Bearkats first home game at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum is Tuesday November 17.
“Obviously, there's a lot to get done before the opener,” Hooten said. “But we're off to a good start.”
