The Herald, Sharon, PA



BOYS BASKETBALL
SEASON PREVIEW: SLIPPERY ROCK

2002-03 SCHEDULE
Nov. 29-30 -- Slippery Rock Tipoff tourney
Dec. 3 -- at Strong Vincent
Dec. 7 -- Northwestern
Dec. 10 -- at George Junior Republic
Dec. 11 -- Mercer
Dec. 13 -- Reynolds
Dec. 17 -- at Sharpsville
Dec. 20 -- vs. Wilmington (at Slippery Rock University)
Dec. 28 -- at East Liverpool
Dec. 30 -- at Warren (Ohio) Christian
Jan. 7 -- at Oil City
Jan. 10 -- at Grove City
Jan. 11 -- Greenville
Jan. 17 -- Sharon*
Jan. 21 -- at Reynolds
Jan. 24 -- at Hickory*
Jan. 25 -- Titusville
Jan. 27 -- at Greenville
Jan. 31 -- Grove City*
Feb. 3 -- at Rayen
Feb. 7 -- at Sharon*
Feb. 11 -- George Junior Republic
Feb. 14 -- Hickory*
[* = MCAC-AAA contest]
By The Herald Sports Staff

For the first week, boys basketball practices in Slippery Rock High's "Rock Box" just didn't seem complete. Thanks to the Rockets' football team progressing into the state playoffs for the first time in school history, fourth-year head coach Chris Burtch found himself without some of his better players for during the first week of practice for the 2002-03 basketball season.

The Rockets were without the services of Mike DeCola, Richard Lee, Mike McCaffrey and Travis Sarver until Nov. 16 while they competed in the playoffs.

"They will see significant minutes and are significantly missed because of the type of practice players that they are," Burtch said.

Their absence from the early practices troubled Burtch more for the Rockets' attempt to establish an early-season tone, rather than for league games later in the season.

"The first couple of weeks when you're trying to establish a tone, those are the types of guys that you want in the gym," Burtch said. "Up to this point, that's the only thing that they've missed. In other words, am I concerned about a league game in mid-January? No, absolutely not. The biggest place where their absence is seen is in establishing that early-season tone."

Fortunately for Burtch and Slippery Rock there are three seniors -- Joel Basta, Brett Codispot and Scott Rice -- returning who have taken it upon themselves to carry the load without their teammates. The senior trio has become more vocal in practices and has attempted to do drills to the best of their abilities.

"Is there anything good about those guys (the football players) not being here? I don't know if I'd call it good, but the one thing that has been nice is that those three (Basta, Codispot and Rice) and (junior forward) Eric Greaves have really stepped up and established the tone," Burtch commented. "They have taken it upon themselves to be vocal leaders, to be hard, hard workers, to do every drill perfectly, because they recognize that if they don't, all of the young guys aren't going to do it, either."

Burtch recognizes that the one thing that his charges have to work on are the intangibles. It's "doing the little things right" that may prove to be the difference maker with Sharon, Grove City, Hickory and the Rockets all competing for the AAA crown.

"I wouldn't call it a weakness, but the one thing that needs to be addressed is doing the little things right," Burtch said. "Getting better as the season progresses, doing the the court-saavy things and working on that chemistry that all championship teams have ...

"We're pretty quick with Brett. We're strong with Scott Rice and Richard Lee. We shoot it pretty well with Brett, Scott, Rich and Mike McCaffrey, and we play pretty good defense," Burtch added.

Last year, Rice, a 6-foot-2 senior, came out of nowhere to lead Slippery Rock to a 11-13 record and is expected to continue to grow as a player while attempting to lead the Rockets back to the playoffs.

"He's improved a tremendous amount," Burtch said. "He keeps things in perspective and he's a good guy to have around. He has really taken some big strides."

Burtch is also looking to Codispot to make some major strides in 2002 while assuming the reigns of the offense from the graduated Zack Sarver.

"Brett has made significant improvements," Burtch said. "No. 1, his 'handle' has gotten a lot better; No. 2, he gotten stronger; and No. 3, he just seems like a senior."

Basta will join Codispot in a more traditional backcourt after last year's two point-guard alignment with Zack Sarver and Codispot.

"Every year, guys don't slide right into the same exact roles, but I have a nice two-guard thing with Brett (Codispot) and Joel (Basta). Joel is a legitimate 2-guard. This year, Brett will run the show," Burtch said.

Burtch pointed to McCaffrey to fill in as the 3-point threat while Greaves, Travis Sarver and Mike DeCola all battle for spots in the rotation.

Burtch is expecting a tough battles from the MCAC's three other AAA schools and believes that it is one of the toughest conferences in the state.

"I have a feeling that all six games are going to be dogfights. It's going to be unbelievable," he said. "If there's a tougher road just to get to the playoffs, than the four of us have, I'd like to see it."

Burtch is assisted by Bob Book and Jeff Steele is the junior varsity coach. -- By Corey Corbin, Allied News sports editor



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