Sussex Academy boys’ basketball optimistic about program’s future
Although the Sussex Academy boys’ basketball varsity team collected one win last season, the middle school squad secured the first winning season in program history.
The 8-5 finish has inspired hope for Seahawks basketball and has led to noticeable improvements during off-season play, like the summer league.
“This year, we have a lot of excitement,” coach Brad Leinbach said. “[Our freshmen] have a very good basketball base – good basketball IQ – so we're excited to mix that in with some of our veteran players.”
“We have a lot more camaraderie with that [freshman] class being more cohesive,” said senior Jahmari Davis. “They have a lot of chemistry they bring to the team, so that's really exciting.”
“Our practices are great to get the communication with our older kids going with the younger kids,” Leinbach said.
Davis has had to battle through the down years, but he has noticed a change in the air.
“I think overall the program is being run a lot differently,” Davis said. “Coach Brad is orchestrating plays better, and we're running them with more energy overall.”
Leinbach said the freshmen have been a breath of fresh air.
“The best thing about this group is that they're very coachable; you coach it, and then the next time down you see the adjustment,” Leinbach said. “The second time down, now you see them adjusting to the adjustment, so it's enjoyable to see these kids want to embrace and learn the game.”
The Seahawks were swept by Indian River last year and had a negative-73 scoring margin. However, the script flipped this summer.
“I'm excited to play IR personally,” Davis said. “We played them during summer league. We won a summer league tournament over the off-season – even though it wasn't all the players.”
As with any young team, the results may vary, but Leinbach insists that no matter what, the effort levels remain unchanged, no matter the situation.
“You can't rely on their IQ; you can't rely on their execution; you can't rely on all of that on a consistent basis, because they will make mistakes, which is understandable,” Leinbach said. “As a team, as a program, one thing we're preaching, both at our varsity and JV level, is we have to be able to rely on our effort. It has to be there every night, every minute.”
The Seahawks open the season with four straight home games – two against Henlopen South foes Laurel and Seaford, with their first tip-off coming against Red Lion Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m.
