In the News – FMS PG Hoops Gameday Preview
By Robert Sisk – The News Virginian
After months of practice and anticipation, the Fishburne Military School Post Graduate basketball team will get its day on the court.
Today at 4:30 p.m., the Caissons will host Mack Academy for the team’s home opener, looking to start the program’s first season off with a win.
“I think we are pretty well-prepared,” said coach Ed Huckaby. “I think psychologically we have been ready to go for the last two weeks. I think we are taking a lot of heart into this. This is a home opener and it’s just an exciting time.”
The Caissons have only had one chance to see how the team plays at game speed that came during a jamboree two weeks ago. Huckaby said that the team still needed to work on communication, but defensively things were on track.
“We communicated, but the defense was far ahead of the offense,” he said. “We were sloppy at times and had too many turnovers, but I think that was a timing issue. Coaches will tell you that offense is nothing but timing and spacing.”
Donte Morales, who has committed to play at Mount St. Mary’s next season, said that the team still has work to do.
“I think we played hard,” he said. “We have to come more together as a unit and this is the first time we have played in months. We did really have good effort, but there are a lot of things we need to work on.”
During the final week of practice Huckaby said he has been “mentally testing” the team for the upcoming game. Today’s contest will be the first time any of the players have competed under NCAA rules, including the shot clock.
“The pace that we will play at, the shot clock won’t affect us a lot but they need to get used to it,” Huckaby said.
Despite today’s game being the first outing for the team, Huckaby said that he’s confident that his team can still compete.
“I think we stack up well against any team in the country,” Huckaby said. “It’s just going to come down to, like any basketball game, executing defense and rebounding. … Normally the team that plays the best defense and wins the rebound battle wins the game.”
Photo by FMS Communications
