2008 Woodie Awards
2004-05 Monarch Basketball season preview
Monarchs hope to improve on last season's 15-14 mark.
Sam Hahn
Issue date: 11/17/04 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
After finishing last season with a 7-5 conference and a 15-14 overall record and failing to make the playoffs, the Monarch basketball team made changes in the off-season that started with the hiring of new head coach Glen "Red" Hefferman.
Hefferman, who is replacing last year's head coach Jay Werner, comes to Valley College after spending the last several years coaching in Chicago.
"I have two different sets of expectations for this team this season," said Hefferman.
"Hopefully, [the team] can go out there and play hard on the court. Secondly, I want my boys to be successful academically.
"All of my players are students first, so I expect them to work hard in all of their classes," said Hefferman. "They should all strive to obtain a degree in order to move on to the next level."
Making an immediate impact on the team, Hefferman has incorporated a new style of play this season.
"My strategy is to run," explained Hefferman. "I want this team to be up tempo, and press throughout the game.
"I'm also pushing hard to implement this method to our team because most players like to play this kind of basketball," said Hefferman.
Having only two returning players from last season, Hefferman adds that this year's squad will be varied..
"We have a very diverse group of players this year," said Hefferman. "Seven are from Chicago, six from right here in California, and one is actually from Michigan."
Hefferman added that the chemistry is great on the team, and that he expects his players to work hard on and off the court.
"One thing about our team is that we have 14 very good basketball players. We don't have a marquee individual that stands out, but each player on this team can contribute in many different ways," said Hefferman.
When asked about the competition this season, Hefferman stated that he has gone out to scout some of the teams that the Monarchs will be playing this year.
"I know that we may not win all our games this year, but I know for a fact that our success wouldn't be credited to how many wins and losses we have this year."
The Monarchs will open its season at the Fullerton Classic Nov. 18 through 20.
Hefferman, who is replacing last year's head coach Jay Werner, comes to Valley College after spending the last several years coaching in Chicago.
"I have two different sets of expectations for this team this season," said Hefferman.
"Hopefully, [the team] can go out there and play hard on the court. Secondly, I want my boys to be successful academically.
"All of my players are students first, so I expect them to work hard in all of their classes," said Hefferman. "They should all strive to obtain a degree in order to move on to the next level."
Making an immediate impact on the team, Hefferman has incorporated a new style of play this season.
"My strategy is to run," explained Hefferman. "I want this team to be up tempo, and press throughout the game.
"I'm also pushing hard to implement this method to our team because most players like to play this kind of basketball," said Hefferman.
Having only two returning players from last season, Hefferman adds that this year's squad will be varied..
"We have a very diverse group of players this year," said Hefferman. "Seven are from Chicago, six from right here in California, and one is actually from Michigan."
Hefferman added that the chemistry is great on the team, and that he expects his players to work hard on and off the court.
"One thing about our team is that we have 14 very good basketball players. We don't have a marquee individual that stands out, but each player on this team can contribute in many different ways," said Hefferman.
When asked about the competition this season, Hefferman stated that he has gone out to scout some of the teams that the Monarchs will be playing this year.
"I know that we may not win all our games this year, but I know for a fact that our success wouldn't be credited to how many wins and losses we have this year."
The Monarchs will open its season at the Fullerton Classic Nov. 18 through 20.
