It's basketball season, so we checked in with a few coaches and asked what is the most important aspect you focus on for your team early in the basketball season?
Tim Stogsdill Putnam City West boys coach
"Defense is the key early. We want to build continuity on defense together to get better. Then build team chemistry. The summer is all about fundamentals and individuals. Now it's about blending the team as one. We certainly work on our man-to-man defense and becoming more aggressive."
Johnny Vick Tuttle girls coach
"Team chemistry is the most important thing for us, especially this being my first year. Building team chemistry and the team concept. We do the little things on and off the court. We went out to eat together after scrimmages earlier this year. We had cookouts. And on the floor it's stuff like making sure all four players pick up the other player off the floor."
Rocky Clarke Washington girls coach
"It's a combination of defense, offense and fundamentals. First is defense. Aggression is the name of the game, especially with girls. You have to teach the girls to be aggressive."
Benny Burnett Dale girls coach
"Fundamentals. We spend proabably 85 percent of our practices on fundamentals. Dribbling, passing, shooting. We do drills, drills and then more drills on those things. We have some of our offense and defense in, but we need to focus more on fundamentals. I'm from the old school. Fundamentals are the key."
