Head Coach Steve Platt |
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2006-07 Season Outlook
Coach Platt Comments on the New Season
LAST SEASON'S RESULTS
The Foresters accomplished all but one of their goals during the 2005-06 season.
 MCC Conference Champs
MCC Tournament Champs
NAIA National Tournament
 National Champs - unfinished business!
As the nation watched, the Foresters lost their final game last season 56-74. "We were embarrassed on national television," says Platt. "People hear how great NAIA basketball can be but that championship game was not good representation."
The Foresters will be working real hard this season to redeem themselves in 2007.
THE TRADITION CONTINUES
With nine players coming back from last season's National Runners-up team, the expectations for success couldn't be higher around the Merillat Complex.
"I believe one of our strengths will be our experience," says Player of the Year candidate Alex Kock. In fact, the team returns five who averaged over 20 minutes a game last season.
However, the team did lose two key players in Steve Snider and Chase Verba [both of whom represented Forester basketball as well as anyone who has put on the HC/HU jersey – Ed]. Chase and Steve were the first Foresters to play in the NAIA National Tournament all four years at Huntington.
Steve and Chase will hand off the baton to four seniors that have been around the block. Jared Yoder, James Haifley, Kyle Ganton, and Alex Kock represent a class with an overall record of 79-26 over the past three years at Huntington.
"These seniors are all great individuals who know how to win," says Platt. "These four will certainly carry on the fine tradition of great leadership that we have experienced over the years at Huntington."
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Coach Platt with All-American Alex Kock
THE NEW FORESTERS
HU returns two NAIA All-Americans in Alex Kock and Kyle Ganton, two All-MCC players in Doug Sheckler and Kyle Benge, and assist leaders Jared Yoder and James Haifley.
To that, they add three more very good sophomores (in addition to Benge), and five freshmen that rank right up there near the top of Platt's recruiting classes.
"We expect big things from this group of freshman," says Platt. "They have the talent to get into the mix from the get go." And the winning tradition hasn't hurt recruiting either. "We've been able to recruit players the past couple of years that might have overlooked us in the past," says Platt. It just goes to show that success breeds success.
THE NEW APPROACH
With the change of players, we may also see a change in coaching philosophy this season, relying a little more on speed and athletic ability. "Look for us to get out and run a little with the athletic lineup we can put on the floor now," says Platt.
Coach Platt's recent style has been to call a lot of half court set plays, but watch for more motion offense from the Foresters this season, and excitement on the break.
The offensive firepower of this team will be second to none compared to previous Platt
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