EAGLES SHIFT GAME PLAN DURING SUMMER PRACTICE.Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Daily News Staff Writer Coach Rob Hall lets the talent level dictate TO DICTATE. To pronounce word for word what is destined to be at the same time written by another. Merlin Rep. mot Suggestion, p. 5 00; Toull. Dr. Civ. Fr. liv. 3, t. 2, c. 5, n. 410. the playing style of Oak Park High School's boys basketball team. Last year the Eagles abandoned an up-tempo, fast-break style that had helped them win consecutive Tri-Valley League championships for a more deliberate offensive pace. They still walked away with the league title. This year, Oak Park plans to set aside last year's style and pay a return visit to its running game of previous years. The transformation is taking place two nights a week during the Eagles' summer league schedule. They host their own league Monday nights and compete in the Royal High School league every Wednesday. ``Last year our players weren't as athletic or as good defensively as we've been in the past,'' Hall said. ``So we decided to walk the ball up on offense. But we were still able to squeeze out a league championship in what we thought would be a rebuilding year.'' The change in styles a year ago was dictated dic·tate v. dic·tat·ed, dic·tat·ing, dic·tates v.tr. 1. To say or read aloud to be recorded or written by another: dictate a letter. 2. a. by a poor summer league play. Oak Park went 6-20, a showing that convinced Hall to rethink re·think tr. & intr.v. re·thought , re·think·ing, re·thinks To reconsider (something) or to involve oneself in reconsideration. re his game plan for the season. This year Oak Park returns four key players and Hall anticipates another change. ``We've got a lot of our guys back, and they're bigger, stronger and faster then last year,'' Hall said. ``As a result, we're trying to get back to what we consider to be our style of play.'' The difference this year is a strong defense, which is where fast-break points often get their start. In addition, it looks like the Eagles have players at every position who can put the ball in the basket consistently. Balanced scoring is critical for a fast-break team. Players must finish in transition, whether it's taking the ball directly to the hole or pulling up for a jump shot. ``In our system you have to be confident that every player can score,'' Hall said. Results have been mixed this summer, but Hall has seen enough positive signs to know that the Eagles can be dangerous as an up-tempo team again. ``We've had some games where we've looked pretty ugly and then we've played some games where things have clicked extremely well,'' Hall said. The best returning player is swing man Randy The name Randy generally derives from the names Randall or Randolph (meaning wolf with a shield). Randy is used as a given name primarily in the US and Canada. Men known as Randy
``Absolutely, he's a much better shooter,'' Hall said. ``He's able to come off screens and catch and shoot the ball with a much quicker release. And he's done it through his own hard work.'' Other returning players, each of whom are bigger and stronger than a year ago, are forward John Murphy A number of people have been named John Murphy
Murphy played primarily down low last year and got the bulk of his points inside the paint. This year, he's added a perimeter The boundary of a system or network, which defines the inside and outside. It is typically determined by firewalls and addresses. See DMZ. shot, which will make him a more effective offensive player. Wasserman, though stretched thin while participating in summer basketball, baseball and football, intends to be available for basketball full time when the regular season begins. He often stays on the court the entire game. Jones is being groomed groom n. 1. A person employed to take care of horses or a stable. 2. A bridegroom. 3. One of several officers in an English royal household. 4. Archaic a. A man. b. to eventually take over Gastwirt's scoring role. CAPTION(S): Photo: (SIMI SIMI Sea Ice Mechanics Initiative SIMI Search for Intelligent Monkeys on the Internet SIMI Students Islamic Movement in India SIMI Society of Irish Motor Industry SIMI Smallholder Irrigation Markets Initiative and CONEJO only) Oak Park High School returning guard G reg Jones heads for the hoop during a scrimmage with Westlake Village. John McCoy/Daily News |
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