Focus Premier 2028 – Team Profile

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Focus Premier 2028 (Team Focus Basketball) is a highly competitive team based out of Indiana that is new on the Prep Hoops Next scene and coached by Bruce Patterson. We are early in the 2023 NEXT season and Focus Premier has already turned some heads with their electrifying play. I was able to pick the brain of Bruce Patterson to learn more about this entertaining group and what you can expect from Focus Premier 2028 this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Thoughts on how your team has competed thus far in circuit season?&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chi-town Tip off was our first Prep Hoops Next tournament. We went 3-1 with the only loss coming at the hands of a very good Illinois Flight team. I am very happy with the way we performed from a win/ loss basis. We have several things that come to mind that we need to do better, but what coach doesn't feel that way.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We need to start games more mentally ready. In our only loss we had talked a lot at the beginning of the game about the pressure that was going to be applied by our opponent and yet we turned the ball over the first three possessions. After that we settled down and handled the press better but because of the easy basket we gave them early we felt like we were always chasing the game instead of playing the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>How have you prepared?</em></strong><strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We need to be more selective in shots taken. When we get hot we can look great but when shots aren't falling there are times that we struggle to control the game. Our preparation is the same every week/ every practice. A solid 95% of our time is spent on skill repetition.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>What are your team strengths and areas that could use improvements? </em></strong><strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We defend in the half court well. We have the ability to score from all three levels. We have high quality ball handling skills. We don't have a lot of size. Our overall athletic skill is above average but certainly not at an elite level. We have trouble at times to stay focused on the task at hand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Below is the current Focus Premier 2028 Roster and a snippet of what each player is bringing to the court this season:&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colt Corss (F)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athletic forward that rebounds well and finishes around the rim.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jude Allen (G)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good shooter. 1st year with the team!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zen Szaferski (PG)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team captain! The most consistent player on the team, quality scorer from all three levels and a willing passer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Braylen McNiese (F/C)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High ceiling, good size and athleticism.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Silas Short (W)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good rebounder and scorer around the basket.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jamison Swansen (CG)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A sniper from beyond the arc.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daniel Selking (G)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Impressive range, confident behind the arc and quality rebounder.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tavon Stidams (PF)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good shooter with good size.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Xavier Kelly (G)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Excellent scoring ability. Scorers at all three levels and is difficult to guard inside.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>What facet of the game do you want to improve on most going into next season?</em></strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Consistency/Focus</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Handling pressure from secondary ball handlers</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Defensive help and rotations</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New additions we need to keep our eyes on?&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colt Cross. He played with us the last part of last year so we consider him to be an addition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>A stacked group that is ready for a major spring and summer. We are excited to watch the success of this team. Check back for future coverage!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->