KINGSTON — “Youth” is a term often used to describe to a lack of experience among sports teams.
Not so, however, when it comes to the Kingston Cavaliers boys basketball squad.
Despite the fact that coach Tony Chisholm has chiseled his varsity team down to 13 players — six of them eighth graders — he is quick to clarify that the squad is by no means inexperienced.
“Every squad is different,” said Chisholm, entering his 13th year as the Cavs’ coach. “This one has more eighth graders than I’ve ever had. But they’re ready to play (varsity).”
No matter what the age of each player on the hardwood, Chisholm said he’s excited to improve upon last season’s 6-6 record — a team goal he believes is very much attainable.
The team’s strengths, Chisholm commented, lie in its shooting ability and perimeter defense. He said many of his players have been participating in year ‘round basketball, playing on select West Side Hoops squads among others, giving them an already-seasoned touch.
Chisholm also mentioned that ninth grader Jack Clearman will provide a crucial leadership role for the younger team.
The Cavs have also picked up ninth grader Travis Edje, a former Poulsbo Panther post player, Chisholm said.
Edje and Preston Elzey will provide a large front court for the Cavs, but from there, the height component of the team is less apparent. Even so, Chisholm said the plan is to utilize the quickness of the non-post players to apply pressure all over the court.
“The one thing I really want to get out of this team is to play pressure defense,” Chisholm said. “Pressure (opponents) all over the floor.”
But the coach admitted that the kind of defense he’s looking for will take a lot of energy out of his players, and that means that making substitutions — going deep on his bench — will be a critical part of the team’s success.
Out of the pressure defense Chisholm hopes to instill in his squad, he said that fast-breaks will become common. And that fills the team’s transition game with scoring opportunities — and a style of play that suits his roster well.
“We should be a fast-break team,” Clearman said. “Speed should be our best skill.”
One of the leaders of the fast-break offense will be eighth grade point guard Taylor Chisholm. As the coach’s son, Taylor said he, too, understands the importance of how team speed will spur a run-and-gun style of offense.
“I need to make sure everybody gets the ball,” Taylor Chisholm said. “And that everybody’s motivated.”
If the team can utilize this run-the-floor strategy, coach Chisholm and some of his players said they’re very confident about what their future holds.
“If we play as a team and run the ball, we’ll do well,” remarked eighth grader Kyle Erickson. “If we can hold (opponents) on defense, we can get that easy outlet and fast-break for easy points.”
