Class of 2019 Guard Logan Alters Talks U-School’s Ascension, Aspirations, And Motivational Factors
ZS: Which aspects have been pivotal in the team’s rapid ascension from not listed in pre-season rankings to now No.2 in the country?
LA: The key factors that have placed us in the position we are in today are the roles each player recognizes and plays, and the essence of motivation that drives us every day. I truly think everyone one on our team adheres to their specific role; therefore, our success is manifested through our record and position in the country. We derive our motivation from the impossibilities and negativity, and convert it to fuel. This inspires us to prove others wrong and also build a new legacy for University School.
ZS: What’s the ideal team goal this season and which key principles does coach Sosa preach on a day to day basis?
LA: The challenge we face and put upon ourselves is a gradual process that forces us to focus on the little aspects versus the big picture. Our goal has heightened every day and we ultimately want to reach the highest possible basketball achievement at the high school level: State championship. Two major principles our coaches drill into us are; being stronger together and being the 1% rule.
“STRONGER TOGETHER” is a phrase of infinite meaning that has fused everyone’s desires and hard work. This philosophy has made us a team full of character and also has held everyone on the team accountable. The 1% rule is a motto we follow, in which every practice has to progressively get us one percent better. This is preached on an everyday basis by our coaching staff.
ZS: How would you describe the advantages of not only having two of the nation’s prized recruits in (2019) Vernon Carey and (2020) Scottie Barnes, but additionally two of the country’s more underrated seniors in Drue Drinnon and Trey Doomes?
LA: Well first of all, the situation I am in with four high major players by my side is so rare. The advantages of being a teammate of a star studded team are the astronomical amounts of space on the floor because the focus is on their ability to attack and score.
This allows for my shots to come not only more frequently but also have better quality. The ease of distributing the ball to my teammates is unreal. Vernon seals so well in the post and finishes with force. His dominance on the court puts fans in awe while throughout the game he puts us on his back and is the sole reason we have won some games.
Scottie Barnes is a menace to any opposition. He distorts coaches’ plans and then totally annihilates their defense. Scottie runs up and down the floor and plays defense like no one else in the country. His heart and passion for the game is like no other. His drive has no limits and that fervor for the game always influences our team to strive for greatness. Drue may be the #1 floor general in the country.
He has all the attributes of a true point guard and is the true captain of our team. Trey may be the best finisher in America. His talents are so idiosyncratic, he is one of the top wings in the country. Not only is he a finisher, he can easily step back to beyond the arc and hit 3 or 4 a game.
With these great players and I have to mention great coaching staff including coach (Jimmy) Carr’s passion for us and the game, the advantages are essentially limitless.
ZS: What style of basketball do you guys look to enforce and how does it align with the strengths of the personnel you guys possess?
LA: We are a very fast paced team that seeks to keep control of the game while running other teams out of the gym. Our coaches praise that every player crashes the boards and pushes on our own.
We are such a unique group of kids, anyone can handle the ball and score at will. We have over 25 plays and each position is interchangeable. Like I said before each player has a unique strength. Through these attributes Coach (Adrian) Sosa and Coach (Jimmy) Carr have modified our offense to perfectly fit our tempo and has organized it with multiple plays.
ZS: How would you describe your role on this team and in which ways do you look to impact the game on a workaday basis?
LA: My role on this team is to be an elite defender whether that is one on one or in help side. I look to do the little things on defense. Things like getting every deflection, forcing every offensive foul, and boxing out on every possession; these plays are the ways I assert myself and stand out on the team on the defensive end.
Although they all don’t go down in the stat sheet, the little things can go far in a game that comes down to the wire. On the offensive end, as you said there is more than meets the eye when it pertains to my game. Not only am I described as a knock down shooter, but I have been described by my coaches as the best post passer on the team and I am relied on to make the tough passes in crunch time. On a workaday basis I look to push the team by setting examples in work ethic and passion for the game.