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Originally posted by marc333
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Some updates about Samer:
Novi hopes frontcourt trio will lead to tournament success
By JEFF DULLACK
Special to The Oakland Press
A season ago, the Novi Wildcats boys basketball team made a run to the regional finals in the state playoffs.
This season, led by a talented trio of seniors in their front-court, the Wildcats are looking to go even further.
The Wildcats use that talented front court’s size much to their advantage with 6-8 Samer Ozeir, 6-7 Chris Milon, and 6-5 Rob Laney, as they have sprinted out to a 5-0 start.
“We space the floor very well, we share the ball very well and we’re efficient,” Novi head coach Cory Heitsch said about his team’s early offensive success.
“We’re doing a pretty good job of valuing most possessions and a missed shot for us, with our athleticism, isn’t a bad thing with the way we rebound offensively,” added Heitsch.
Ozeir, who is regarded as one of the county’s top players, spent part of his offseason playing for the Lebanese national U-18 team in this past summer’s FIBA World Championships in Asia, says that he has become more aggressive this year compared to years past.
“Last year, I started to take the ball to the basket, and this year, I’m just using the 3-pointer as bait,” Ozeir said. “I want to take it to the basket, I want to get points inside. Those are easy points for me and my team.”
Through his team’s first five games, Ozeir is averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Laney, a four-year varsity player, says that he and his teammates have started to trust each other this year, knowing that if they make a mistake, one of them will be there to clean it up.
“I think we’re really starting to realize, that if one of us takes it to the hole there’s going to be someone there to clean it up, so that’s helping out a lot.”
Laney, who has missed much of the past couple of seasons because of injury and illness, has been the jack of all trades for his team in the early stages of this season, leading his team in assists with almost five per game while also contributing six rebounds and 14 points per contest.
Because of injuries, Laney has become somewhat of a forgotten man in the Wildcats’ rotation, but he expects he will begin to get more recognition as the season goes on.
“He’s battled through injury and illness, things that someone his age shouldn’t have to deal with and, to his credit, he has absolutely persevered and he’s in the position again to be recognized as one of the county’s better players,” Heitsch said.
Milon has flourished since the end of last season and has become the Wildcats true inside presence, leading his team in rebounding with an average of 12 per game.
Heitsch notes that Milon has been more reliable on defense in the low post, which has led to an impressive start to his season.
“He’s more accountable defensively, he’s playing defense, and he’s not just being an athlete. He’s just taken off, he is a prototypical late bloomer,” Heitsch said.
Milon says that even with the Wildcats earning praise in the early season, he and his teammates can only look forward.
“We just have to keep the work up, we can’t let our past dictate the future. We still have to work hard in practice, and just keep playing,” Milon said.
“It’s interesting. You tell the kids not to take things for granted and it takes a tipping point before they finally realize it to their credit, working’s never been a question,” Heitsch said.
Ozeir says that he’s become better over the past couple of years because of coaching and improving his strength, and notes that he and his teammates want to win now more than ever.
“It starts with coaching,” said Ozeir, smiling with his coach standing to his side, “and just getting stronger in the offseason. I want it more now than I did. We want that title in the Central Division, we want the KLAA, district, regional titles. We don’t care who’s in our way, we talk about it all of the time.”
Last Updated: 12/24/2010 12:09:55 AM EST
I think coach Tab should consider taking him with the NT this summer, what do you think?
Novi hopes frontcourt trio will lead to tournament success
By JEFF DULLACK
Special to The Oakland Press
A season ago, the Novi Wildcats boys basketball team made a run to the regional finals in the state playoffs.
This season, led by a talented trio of seniors in their front-court, the Wildcats are looking to go even further.
The Wildcats use that talented front court’s size much to their advantage with 6-8 Samer Ozeir, 6-7 Chris Milon, and 6-5 Rob Laney, as they have sprinted out to a 5-0 start.
“We space the floor very well, we share the ball very well and we’re efficient,” Novi head coach Cory Heitsch said about his team’s early offensive success.
“We’re doing a pretty good job of valuing most possessions and a missed shot for us, with our athleticism, isn’t a bad thing with the way we rebound offensively,” added Heitsch.
Ozeir, who is regarded as one of the county’s top players, spent part of his offseason playing for the Lebanese national U-18 team in this past summer’s FIBA World Championships in Asia, says that he has become more aggressive this year compared to years past.
“Last year, I started to take the ball to the basket, and this year, I’m just using the 3-pointer as bait,” Ozeir said. “I want to take it to the basket, I want to get points inside. Those are easy points for me and my team.”
Through his team’s first five games, Ozeir is averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Laney, a four-year varsity player, says that he and his teammates have started to trust each other this year, knowing that if they make a mistake, one of them will be there to clean it up.
“I think we’re really starting to realize, that if one of us takes it to the hole there’s going to be someone there to clean it up, so that’s helping out a lot.”
Laney, who has missed much of the past couple of seasons because of injury and illness, has been the jack of all trades for his team in the early stages of this season, leading his team in assists with almost five per game while also contributing six rebounds and 14 points per contest.
Because of injuries, Laney has become somewhat of a forgotten man in the Wildcats’ rotation, but he expects he will begin to get more recognition as the season goes on.
“He’s battled through injury and illness, things that someone his age shouldn’t have to deal with and, to his credit, he has absolutely persevered and he’s in the position again to be recognized as one of the county’s better players,” Heitsch said.
Milon has flourished since the end of last season and has become the Wildcats true inside presence, leading his team in rebounding with an average of 12 per game.
Heitsch notes that Milon has been more reliable on defense in the low post, which has led to an impressive start to his season.
“He’s more accountable defensively, he’s playing defense, and he’s not just being an athlete. He’s just taken off, he is a prototypical late bloomer,” Heitsch said.
Milon says that even with the Wildcats earning praise in the early season, he and his teammates can only look forward.
“We just have to keep the work up, we can’t let our past dictate the future. We still have to work hard in practice, and just keep playing,” Milon said.
“It’s interesting. You tell the kids not to take things for granted and it takes a tipping point before they finally realize it to their credit, working’s never been a question,” Heitsch said.
Ozeir says that he’s become better over the past couple of years because of coaching and improving his strength, and notes that he and his teammates want to win now more than ever.
“It starts with coaching,” said Ozeir, smiling with his coach standing to his side, “and just getting stronger in the offseason. I want it more now than I did. We want that title in the Central Division, we want the KLAA, district, regional titles. We don’t care who’s in our way, we talk about it all of the time.”
Last Updated: 12/24/2010 12:09:55 AM EST
I think coach Tab should consider taking him with the NT this summer, what do you think?
i'm with the idea of him being called up to the Nt tryouts, but i dont think he'll make it, although it would be a great experience for him
against an extremely strong and tough UConn team (defending NCAA Champions) who have some of the biggest talents in the nation with Andre Drummond, Shabazz Napier and Jeremy Lamb..
?
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