What to know about DeMatha Basketball

On Monday, October 27, The Stagline’s Griffin Harbaugh sat down for an interview with Mike Jones, the varsity basketball head coach.

GH: When does your season begin for basketball?

Coach Mike Jones: Our first official practice is November 8th, and our first game is November 29th. Right now we are in our mist of doing our fall workouts, which last for about 8 to 10 weeks. Then we go into our first tryout date which is November 8th. Those who played a fall sport who could not participate in our workouts, they can work out 3 to 5 days. But we know right away who’s available and who’s not.

GH: How many games will the team play this year?

MJ:  Officially we play 28 games. That’s not including the WCAC playoffs or the Maryland state tournament. So roughly we could play around 35 games.

GH: Are there any big rivalry games along the way?

MJ: Yeah, everybody in our league like McNamera, that’s considered a rivalry game. St. John’s, Gonzaga, of course, [Paul VI], O’Connell… Those teams you know are trying to get us, and we’re trying to get them, so high stake games right there.

GH: How many tournaments does the team play in?

MJ: Right now we are playing in two tournaments: Torrey Pines in San Diego, California, then we’re playing in Panini Hoophall West which is in Phoenix, Arizona. That is not including our WCAC tournament, and the Maryland state tournament. So that’s a total of four tournaments that we’re playing in this year, and three showcase games.

GH: On a scale of 1-10, how confident are you about the basketball program and especially the Varsity program this year?

MJ: A ten. You know obviously our goal is to win a WCAC [championship]. Each and every day we’re working and trying to get better. But this year all of our practices have been positive and moving in the right direction.

GH: Besides the people that are returning this year, who do you think will have a breakout year?

MJ: Donovan Wright, he was on JV last year, Isa [Camp], and Major Jones. You know, I think those guys will be able to help us. But for returning, Ace [Meeks] was really good, along with Danny [Abass] who was really good. Then we have some transfers coming in like Jaden [Shoultz].

GH: How do you help players prepare for the next level, whether that’s college basketball or beyond?

MJ: Just one thing we talk about is discipline, just approaching every day like it’s a new day, you need to try and get better every day. Making sure that off-court they take accountability and meet with teachers, write in their planners about the next test coming up. Because if you plan properly, it will put you in a good position to be successful.

GH: What do you see as the biggest challenges in high school basketball?

MJ: Guys not being loyal to a program. You know, right now if you’re on an AAU team, and you don’t like what’s going on you can go to a different AAU team. Now in high school if you don’t like what’s going on you can transfer to a different school. Its one of those things were you wanna work hard, and leave the program better than you found it. A lot of those guys who are involved with self, me over we attitude, end up transferring.

GH: What role does strength and conditioning play in your player development program?

MJ: It plays a huge role because when you’re in the weight-room working hard it gives you the confidence to be able to play through contact, to be able to just have a mental approach, a mental edge over your opponent, because if you went through something that was very difficult, now on the other side you can put yourself in a position were you can be successful ’cause you know you put in the work.

GH: Who will be your coaches (beside yourself) for Varsity, JV, and for Freshman?

MJ: For the freshmen the assistant coach will be Mr. Rogers, then coach Herb will be our freshman head coach. For JV it’ll be coach Eaton, Coach Martinez, Coach Evan, and we’re bringing on a new coach shortly. And for varsity it’ll be myself as head coach, Coach Issac McNeil, Coach Travis, Coach Herb, and Coach Mark.

GH: How many games will be on the road, and how many games will be played at home?

MJ: Typically it’s a 14-14 scale to make 28, but this year I wanna say 12 games on the road, and 16 at home.

Thank you Coach Jones, and good luck on this upcoming season.