Clinton looks to develop the tools
Like an old Mel Gibson movie, Hawks will be ‘Road Warriors’
2021-2022 CLINTON MIDDLE HAWKS
Still, the Hawks return a lot of experience because there were a lot of kids seeing time for the Hawks.
Jaxon Wilburn is probably the most experienced and he will be expected to fill a leadership role.
Aiden Staudenmaier and Braylen Hayden are also expected to step up and take the mantle of leader throughout the season.
All are eighth-graders.
Coach Colby Cool said he wants his team to learn how to play together quickly — that would be the weakness for the Hawks — because this year’s squad hasn’t really spent a lot of time playing together.
“We’re working hard just trying to get the basics of teamwork down right now,” Cool said.
Once that happens, the Hawks could be a dangerous team — there is a ton of talent on this squad.
“We have a couple of six-footers,” Cool said. “I think we’ll be strong at guard play. And we do have some depth.”
What is going to hurt the Hawks is the schedule.
The district is tough enough, but there will be about a five-week run where the Hawks won’t see their home court.
“That stretch is going to be tough,” Cool said. ”That’s seven straight road games. Throw in we have Maryville, Horace Maynard, and Roberstville. … It’s a tough schedule.”
But Cool doesn’t seemed too concerned about the road schedule and his team learning to play as a unit because he’s got a bunch of good athletes.
“And they do anything I ask them to,” he said. “They work hard, they listen to instruction. … That’s the exciting thing about this bunch,” Cool said.
“That’s the exciting thing about this bunch, they pay attention.”
This is Cool’s first year as head coach, but he’s been on the sidelines as an assistant the past couple of years and he knows the capabilities of the team.
He also knows the schedule.
“I think we’ll be OK, but we have a lot to do this year,” he said. “And as hard as the schedule is, it’s good that we’re not traveling out of our orbit.”
