Lions ready to return

By Michael Kinney
The Moore American

MOORE January 25, 2007 04:30 pm

— It’s about to get real busy for the Lions. And, according to coach John Martin, that is the way they want it.
“I think our team is energized right now,” Martin said. “They love to play games. We have a whole bunch coming up in future.”
After almost two weeks without playing a game due to weather concerns, the Moore High boys are scheduled to get in four this week alone.
The Lions’ week started Tuesday with a trip to Enid High School. It will conclude with three games in three days at their own John Noble Classic.
MHS will open the round-robin play with a matchup with Western Heights at 1 p.m. Thursday, then Choctaw JV at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Their final game will be 1 p.m. Saturday against NW Classen.
MHS also was able to reschedule the two games it canceled during the winter storm. That includes a Feb. 3 matchup at Norman High School and Midwest City at MHS Feb. 17. That will add to an already busy calendar.
“I think in the next three weeks we will have as many games as practices,” Martin said.
With such a rigorous schedule it doesn’t leave much time for the Lions to learn new plays. But Martin said that is normal.
“This late in the season we are just trying to polish things,” Martin said. “We want to get better at one thing a day. We will not go as long. Reviewing a lot more than put things in. That is what preseason is for.”
While the Lions (3-7) will not be adding much more, they will be trying to improve what they do now. Which for Martin means getting better defensively, which he says is the key to turning around the season.
The Lions defensive pressure starts with its backcourt leader, Blake James. As a junior he was the team’s best defender and he is beginning to regain his form.
“Our guards are pressuring the ball better,” Martin said. “James has really elevated his defense the last couple of games. That is what sets him apart from a lot of players. He can defend any body on the perimeter. The guys look to him to set the tone defensively.”
Beginning this week, Moore has 12 games left in the regular season. Despite its sub .500 record, they believe they still can make a postseason run.
But, according to Martin, it will take everything the entire team has to make the transformation.
“I would like to see, whether we win or lose, that we play hard the entire game,” Martin said. “At least we can play hard and give us a better chance of winning. I think most coaches would say that. I don’t know if they actually mean it. We have to play 32 minutes if we want to change the season around. And it is possible.”

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