2022-2023 Team Preview: Oak Mountain Eagles

Oak Mountain Eagles   7A Area 6   Head Coach: Joel Floyd   Last Season Record: 25-6   Instagram: omhsbasketball   Twitter: @omhsbasketball   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center has-primary-color has-text-color">Key Players</blockquote>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/PH-Matt-Heiberger-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/PH-Matt-Heiberger-C-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1640458" width="256" height="256"/></a><figcaption>Photo: Knight Eady, Knight Eady</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1385974' first='Matthew' last='Heiberger'] (6'3/G/'23)   Instagram: matthewheiberger   Twitter: @MatthewHeiberg7   Matthew is hands down the alpha male of the Oak Mountain squad, and he will be a key piece to the puzzle of all the Eagles' success this year. He has verbally committed to the University of Alabama to play baseball, but he is lacing up the sneakers for one last hurrah. He has developed into a great all-around player that impacts the entire stat sheet. He shoots the ball well from beyond the arc, can post smaller guards, and rebounds well from the guard spot. He plays both ends of the court and gives the same energy and effort on both ends.    <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color">He has developed into a great all-around player that impacts the entire stat sheet.<cite>Terry J. Drqke</cite></blockquote>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/PH-Tre-Thomas-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/PH-Tre-Thomas-C-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1640459" width="256" height="256"/></a><figcaption>Photo: Knight Eady, Knight Eady</figcaption></figure>   Tre Thomas (6'9/PF|C/2023)   Instagram: tret_32   Twitter: N/A   I was recently at the 256 vs. 205 media days and saw Tre walk in, and I can tell he has been in the weight room. His body has developed more since the last time I saw him, and just from the initial look, he is ready to be a physical component for the Eagles, which will make it tough for opposing bigs. He is extremely long and athletic and is just scratching the surface of his potential. Let me go ahead and drop this bone as Tre already has an offer from Troy University, but he is a hidden gem that many from the next level still have not fully put a good look into. Whoever acquires his talents at the next level is going to love this young man and what they can develop him into. Prep school would be a viable option for him, or having a red-shirt year once he steps on campus will do wonders for Tre. Look for Tre to have a dominant year protecting the rim and on the glass, as he could be amongst the state's leaders in blocks and rebounds. I am looking for Tre to be a dominant force in the paint on both ends and the anchor to the Eagles' paint presence and production. College coaches take another look because Tre's best days are definitely ahead of him.     <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color">He is extremely long and athletic and is just scratching the surface of his potential.<cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/PH-Eli-Love-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/PH-Eli-Love-C-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1640460" width="256" height="256"/></a><figcaption>Photo: Knight Eady, Knight Eady</figcaption></figure>   Eli Love (6'1/PG/2023)   Instagram: N/A   Twitter: N/A   Every team has a glue guy, and Eli is that player for the Eagles. He has a great knowledge of the game and is the player that Coach Joel Floyd, who is taking over the head coaching responsibilities for the Eagles, will find very useful in making sure that his philosophy in style of play is woven into the team's DNA. Eli will be depended upon to be the team's floor general and help get the most out of his teammates every night. Look for Eli to be the stabilizing force for the new-look Eagles.     <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color">Look for Eli to be the stabilizing force for the new-look Eagles. <cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote>   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center has-primary-color has-text-color">When asked about two players that will be key pieces of the puzzle for his team this season that was not listed in the top 3 above, he quickly mentioned the following three players:</blockquote>   Over the years, Coach Floyd and I have developed a very good relationship, and he has always been one of the most upright and respectable coaches in the state. So I gave him an added player to talk about in this section. What can I say, friendship has its perks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1091929' first='Grey' last='Williams'] (6'1/G/'24) and Kevin Jasinski (6'1/G/'24) are both strong athletic PGs who will share responsibilities at the lead guard spot. Both can attack the rim, shoot the 3, and create for their teammates. Both will be needed to help cement Coach Floyd's style into the program. The third player that Coach wanted to discuss was Devan Moss, a football star with offers from Air Force, Navy, and Army. He is one of the Eagles' fiercest competitors in basketball, and he does all the little things on offense and defense while simultaneously making all the sacrifices for his teammates.    <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center has-primary-color has-text-color">Season Outlook</blockquote>   Oak Mountain will be a gritty, gutty team that will compete night and night out. However, after losing 9 seniors, including Brady Dunn and Wilder Evers, who were sources of production, the question is what does the Eagles have left. Unfortunately, with the beginning of a new era with a new coach, many have the expectations for the Eagles lower than it has been in the past few years.   Coach Floyd has done an excellent job early, keeping the noise out of his program. The team's theme this year is "Load The Wagons," which means getting the work done every day. Coach Floyd will not guarantee that a banner will be raised this year, but he can ensure that his team will hang their hat on their toughness and commitment to each other. Every day the Eagles fanbase can rest assured that the players on this year's team is giving their all to the name on the front of the jersey.    Offensively the Eagles want to play faster with a high IQ, seek to push the ball and have a balance of shots at the rim and kick out 3s. Defensively the Eagles look to play solid, tough man-to-man, along with a mix of other things to keep their opponents off balance.   Coach Floyd replied, "We must play with relentless effort and have a high basketball IQ in everything we do," when asked what his team needs to do to bring home the state championship.   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center has-primary-color has-text-color">Key Match-Ups</blockquote>   Dec. 6: vs. Huffman (Home)   Dec. 9: vs. Vestavia Hills (Home)   Jan. 20: vs. Spain Park (Home)

Oak Mountain Eagles