Penguins give fans a taste of uptempo style
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YOUNGSTOWN -- Kelley Wright sat with teammate Sarah Cash in the first row of the red chairback seats inside the Beeghly Center. Usually the two are on the floor, practicing or playing for the Youngstown State women's basketball team.
Wright, a senior point guard, appreciated the fast tempo of the team she saw during Saturday's open practice for the men's basketball team, something that was more of a novelty than in past seasons.
The team also passed the eye test with eight players on the roster 6-feet-6 inches or taller.
The physical attributes help, but intangibles are much more vital to this team.
"I really like how they're positive now, more than in the past," Wright said. "They used to not exactly get along very well. It seems positive at practice. They're all yelling. They're all working hard.
"I think that will help in the long run."
Steven May of Youngstown likes the energy first-year coach Jerrod Calhoun brings to this Penguins team filled with only five returning players and many newcomers.
"They hustle real good, seem to fit into the scheme of his coaching style," May said. "That's refreshing to see.
"I think they'll have a good year."
Frank Nolasco said he liked the smoothness of the play of the Youngstown State men's basketball team.
The back and forth action up and down the 90-foot Beeghly Center court impressed the longtime YSU season ticket holder. So did the low amount of turnovers the Penguins had as Calhoun and assistant Paul Molinari took the 20-man roster and divvied them up into black and red teams -- color schemes for the Penguins.
YSU displayed the aggressive up-tempo offense and vigorous defense, which were staples of Calhoun's system when he coached at Division II Fairmont State.
"Everybody seems to be in position, which means to me the coaching has been well enough that these guys understand what they have to do," said Nolasco, a Youngstown resident. "I'm impressed with that. I want it to continue. I think it will continue into the season."
Rod Neill of Boardman said he noticed the energy, height and athleticism -- an exciting brand of basketball he hopes produces new results from a team which had almost a dozen 20-loss seasons since joining the Horizon League in the 2001-02 season.
"Looks like they're not going to get outrun by anybody this year," Neill said. "Looks to be well conditioned. We'll see if that brings good results on the court."
GETTING IN SHAPE: Getting this team to adapt to a full-court set has been a work in progress. Some days the Penguins were struggling as players had their hands on their knees, trying to find their breath during practices. That changed over the past couple of months and with constant work in the weight room.
YSU players went 29 minutes in a full-court set, something that couldn't be said even a couple of weeks ago.
"Their conditioning is night and day," Calhoun said. "I think they're starting to understand our press, our rotation. We shot the ball better from 3.
"When this team makes shots, makes 3-point shots, we're going to be pretty dangerous."
LOOKING GOOD ON THE COURT: Senior shooting guard Cameron Morse split time with sophomore Jeremiah Ferguson at point guard as senior Francisco Santiago is waiting for the go-ahead for full contact, which may happen in about a week. Santiago suffered a bruised, hyperextended knee during the offseason on his right leg.
Ferguson, who saw little playing time last season, comes into this season with a more pronounced role. Calhoun was happy what he saw out of the YSU sophomore.
"I like our point guards to be directors and get guys where I want them. He did a nice job of that," Calhoun said.
Braun Hartfield, who played out of position in the post last season, moves back to a natural spot at the small forward/shooting guard. He'll help out Morse at shooting guard.
Calhoun said Hartfield is adjusting to the team's style of play, extending his play to be a prolific 3-point shooter.
Junior college transfer Tyree Robinson, an undersized, but athletic post player, has the potential to be as good as anyone in the Horizon League, Calhoun said. Robinson, a junior, could be a player who could score 10 points and grab 10 rebounds a game.
"He's going to be a fan favorite," Calhoun said.
SHOWING THE FANS: Saturday, the fans in the stands, which numbered around 100 to 150, was to display the team's attributes.
"We really wanted to show we can play hard and play defense very well," Ferguson said. "We're going to come out, play fast, play hard, shoot and score.
"We're going to play really hard for our fans."
Calhoun hopes those in attendance on Saturday spread the word as the season progresses. YSU's first home game is Nov. 14 as the Penguins host Franciscan University out of Steubenville.
"It's always good when you get your players this early in the year in front of some people," Calhoun said. "Hopefully the people that came out go back and talk about it and bring their friends on opening night.
"What they try to set out to do is develop a sixth man and that's the crowd. The crowd is an important part of winning games at home. You've got to have a great environment."