Flames hit the court after layoff

MARBLE FALLS — Ten days is considered a long time for many athletes. But Faith Academy boys head basketball coach Larry Berkman hopes two practices after the Flames’ Nov. 21 lost to Austin Christian Homeschool, 52-45, will allow his squad to improve their prowess.

They’ll get their chance when they travel to Cherokee for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff tonight.

The Flames are 1-1 after winning their season opener, 58-36 against Prairie Lea Nov. 20.

Faith will play in the San Antonio Cornerstone Tournament this weekend to cap a busy week.

Berkman’s biggest concern is his players’ understandings of the schemes and terminology. Even the nonverbal communication on the sidelines is a challenge for them right now. 

“It’s going to be a long, slow process,” he said. “Every day we get to add something.”

Blending in plays for both offense and defense takes time, the coach said. 

“We’re just trying to blend all that together,” he said. “It’s just going to take a while. All those fundamentals matter with basic schemes.”

But he is pleased with the way his players are responding, he said.

“They’ve really done well for the short amount of time,” he said. “They’re trying. They’re working hard. They have great attitudes.”

Once the football season ended, many of the players — Ryan Roberts, Will Diamond, Ian Shirley, Adrian Byrd, Kyle Bridges, Chase Penner, Randy Burton and Travis Roeder — went to basketball.

But the Flames have had no more than five practices with the enter team assembled.

And some of the athletes on the roster are learning the game of basketball, Berkman said, so that’s also a challenge.

“All those guys are contributing,” he said. “We have two freshmen and a sophomore who have never played before. They’re coming along.”

Practices are important so that Berkman can teach his system to his players. 

“I have so much information to share with them,” he said. “It’s so new it’s hard for them to take it all. It’s all repetitive. It’s like it is in any other sport.”

Because of the complexity of the game, court time allows coaches to teach all sorts of plays: offense, defense, half court, full court and out of bounds. 

“There are a lot of things we haven’t talked about because we don’t have time,” he said. “We haven’t been around each other.”

But the coach remains happy with the approach to the sport his players have.

“I’m really pleased with the way we’re doing,” he said. “I sure don’t have a complaint with effort or where they’re supposed to be. They play hard, give a lot of effort. I’m real pleased with the effort. That’s not stuff I had to get on them or preach about.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com

Courtesy photo