New Coach Takes Over Squires
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Dale [email protected]
Thompson is now the guy in charging of putting the Squires back on the hardwood map.
"Manchester was a place you didn't want to play," said Thompson, who replaces Aaron Cripe as the varsity head coach, and whose Squires open the season tonight when they host Mississinewa.
"I loved the competition, but you'd much rather play Manchester at your place," continued Thompson. "They always had great coaches and were very fundamental. When I was in school, they had a great program, and that's where we want to get back to."
Thompson played for fellow Three Rivers Conference school Tippecanoe Valley, graduating in 1991.
His varsity coaching career consists of stops at Laville and Peru, and his 10-year varsity record includes a mark of 117-105.
Over the past three seasons, Thompsons teams at Peru won 53 games.
Conversely, in the last nine seasons, the Squires have only won a total of 52 games.
"They're eager," Thompson said of the players on his first Manchester team. "For the seniors, I'm their third coach. The positive is they enjoying playing the game. The negative is it's been 10 years since we've had a winning season here. In those 10 years, they've only won 52 games. We need to get the mentality of competing, and then learn how to win, and then we can focus on continuing to win. We're pretty far away right now, but by the end of the season we hope to be a lot closer, and to be playing our best basketball."
Since posting a 12-10 record in the 2001-2002 season, the Squires have gone 52-142 overall and 18-45 in the TRC.
Last season, Manchester was 6-17 overall and 1-6 in conference play, but did advance to the sectional championship game.
This season's roster includes four seniors, two juniors and six sophomores.
Logan Brunn, a 6-foot-2 senior, is Manchester's leading scorer returning from last year.
Brunn averaged just over eight points per game, while Derek Self, now a 6-0 senior, scored just under six points per contest.
Scott Baker and Austin Flack scored 13 and 11 points per game, respectively, but graduated. As did Aric Howard, who scored six points per game.
The rest of Manchester's current varsity roster includes seniors Connor McLaughlin and Caleb Thomas; juniors Grant Schuler and Neil Underwood; and sophomores Micah McDaniel, Claudel Dickantone, Clayton Petrie, Dalton Day, Phoenix Goad and Noah Johnson.
"We have nine guys who are equal," said Thompson. "We could have 20 different starting lineups, but I hope to solidify one and build a rotation."
Following tonight's season opener with Mississinewa, the Squires host Oak Hill Saturday, and then play games at Wawasee (Dec. 2), Churubusco (Dec. 13) and Southwood (Dec. 16).
"There's no easy games for us," said Thompson. "Every conference game will be a rivalry. When I was at Peru, we played seven of the eight TRC teams. I'm familiar with the conference, and we have to be ready to play every night."
Thompson's Peru team posted a 7-0 record against TRC teams last year.[[In-content Ad]]
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Thompson is now the guy in charging of putting the Squires back on the hardwood map.
"Manchester was a place you didn't want to play," said Thompson, who replaces Aaron Cripe as the varsity head coach, and whose Squires open the season tonight when they host Mississinewa.
"I loved the competition, but you'd much rather play Manchester at your place," continued Thompson. "They always had great coaches and were very fundamental. When I was in school, they had a great program, and that's where we want to get back to."
Thompson played for fellow Three Rivers Conference school Tippecanoe Valley, graduating in 1991.
His varsity coaching career consists of stops at Laville and Peru, and his 10-year varsity record includes a mark of 117-105.
Over the past three seasons, Thompsons teams at Peru won 53 games.
Conversely, in the last nine seasons, the Squires have only won a total of 52 games.
"They're eager," Thompson said of the players on his first Manchester team. "For the seniors, I'm their third coach. The positive is they enjoying playing the game. The negative is it's been 10 years since we've had a winning season here. In those 10 years, they've only won 52 games. We need to get the mentality of competing, and then learn how to win, and then we can focus on continuing to win. We're pretty far away right now, but by the end of the season we hope to be a lot closer, and to be playing our best basketball."
Since posting a 12-10 record in the 2001-2002 season, the Squires have gone 52-142 overall and 18-45 in the TRC.
Last season, Manchester was 6-17 overall and 1-6 in conference play, but did advance to the sectional championship game.
This season's roster includes four seniors, two juniors and six sophomores.
Logan Brunn, a 6-foot-2 senior, is Manchester's leading scorer returning from last year.
Brunn averaged just over eight points per game, while Derek Self, now a 6-0 senior, scored just under six points per contest.
Scott Baker and Austin Flack scored 13 and 11 points per game, respectively, but graduated. As did Aric Howard, who scored six points per game.
The rest of Manchester's current varsity roster includes seniors Connor McLaughlin and Caleb Thomas; juniors Grant Schuler and Neil Underwood; and sophomores Micah McDaniel, Claudel Dickantone, Clayton Petrie, Dalton Day, Phoenix Goad and Noah Johnson.
"We have nine guys who are equal," said Thompson. "We could have 20 different starting lineups, but I hope to solidify one and build a rotation."
Following tonight's season opener with Mississinewa, the Squires host Oak Hill Saturday, and then play games at Wawasee (Dec. 2), Churubusco (Dec. 13) and Southwood (Dec. 16).
"There's no easy games for us," said Thompson. "Every conference game will be a rivalry. When I was at Peru, we played seven of the eight TRC teams. I'm familiar with the conference, and we have to be ready to play every night."
Thompson's Peru team posted a 7-0 record against TRC teams last year.[[In-content Ad]]
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