Freeman Academy-Marion: Hoops Recap

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is officially the first day of the offseason! The State Tournaments are in the books.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With that said, we are taking a look at the FAM Bearcats in this Season Review article!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You need to take some time to read about the Bearcats, they have a bright future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>See below for player comments, stats, and a Q&amp;A session with coach Shape. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1842251,"width":"329px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1842251" style="width:329px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team:</strong>&nbsp;Freeman Academy-Marion (FAM)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mascot:&nbsp;</strong>Bearcats</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong>&nbsp;<em>Jerico Shape</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class:</strong>&nbsp;B</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region:</strong> 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Conference:</strong> Great Plains Athletic Conference</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Record:</strong>&nbsp;8-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2378959,"width":"258px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/FAM-Bearcats-Shield-Maroon-Gold.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/FAM-Bearcats-Shield-Maroon-Gold.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2378959" style="width:258px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player Comments from coach <em>Shape</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2379030' first='Jackson' last='Donlan'] (2026) |6'1 F|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>He was a dominant force in the paint, using his size and strength to create scoring opportunities and control the boards. His tenacity and physicality have been invaluable in disrupting the opponent's offense and securing crucial rebounds. Over the course of the season, [player_tooltip player_id='2379030' first='Jackson' last='Donlan'] has made strides in his outside shooting, adding another dimension to his game, and keeping defenders guessing.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2379029' first='Karter' last='Weber'] (2026) |5'10 G|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>He has been a reliable and consistent presence on both ends of the court, showcasing strong ball-handling skills and a high basketball IQ. Weber's ability to distribute the ball and create scoring chances for teammates has been essential to the team's success. Throughout the season, Weber has worked to improve his defensive agility and become a more disruptive defender, adding another layer to his game.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Taylor Goodwin (2026) |5'10 G|</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>He has been a standout this season, consistently demonstrating strong defensive skills and excellent decision-making on the court. His ability to anticipate plays and react quickly has been a key asset to the team. Throughout the season, Goodwin has shown significant improvement in his offensive game, becoming a more versatile and potent scorer.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Liam Ortman (2024) |5'9 G| </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>He has made significant improvements in his shooting technique this season, becoming a reliable shooter from beyond the arc. He has shown great confidence in his shot selection and has been a key player in helping the team secure important wins.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player Stats</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img alt="" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2378992,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_8807_7b47d3.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_8807_7b47d3.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2378992" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Averages &amp; Results</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2378996,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_8808.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_8808.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2378996" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2379038,"width":"243px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/FAM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/FAM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2379038" style="width:243px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with coach <em>Jerico Shape</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How would you sum up the season for your squad?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Despite a slow start, our team really came together and showed immense improvement as the season progressed. We pushed through adversity, worked hard, and ultimately achieved great success. It was a longer and better season than expected, and we couldn't be prouder of how far we've come.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How did your team overcome adversity?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We stayed resilient in the face of setbacks, remaining focused on our goals and finding creative ways to overcome obstacles. We offer support and encouragement to one another, helping to build each other up during tough times. Our ability to adapt to changing circumstances and remain flexible in our approach allowed us to navigate challenges successfully.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are a few things your team improved on throughout the season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Throughout the season, our team focused on improving our communication on the court. At the beginning of the season, we struggled with talking to each other and making sure everyone knew their roles and responsibilities. As the season progressed, we made a conscious effort to communicate better, whether it was calling out screens on defense or setting up plays on offense. This improved our overall team chemistry and allowed us to work more cohesively as a unit. Additionally, we worked on our conditioning, pushing ourselves to be in better physical shape to keep up with the demands of the game and play at a high intensity for the full duration of each game.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">What role players stood out to you?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em><strong>Hunter Nankivel</strong> and <strong>Austin Waldner </strong>stood out to me this season. Hunter's hustle and selflessness on the court made him an invaluable asset to the team. Another standout role player was <strong>Austin Waldner</strong>, who was always willing to do the dirty work for his team. Whether it was setting<br>screens, grabbing rebounds, or diving for loose balls, Austin's hard work and determination never went unnoticed.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Can you talk about your seniors?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>My seniors <strong>Liam Ortman</strong>, <strong>Blake Rumelhart</strong>, and <strong>Sam Clark</strong> are a group of talented, hardworking, and dedicated individuals who have been instrumental in setting a positive example for the rest of the team. They have shown great leadership skills, excellent communication abilities, and a deep understanding of our work. Their drive and passion for success have inspired us all to push ourselves to be better. What will be missed the most about our seniors is their guidance and mentorship. They have been a source of knowledge and wisdom, always ready to offer advice and support when needed. Their presence on the team has brought a sense of stability and cohesion, and their absence will be deeply felt. We will also miss their attitude and ability to motivate us during challenging times.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are some up-and-comers to look out for?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We had a lot of athletes that played throughout this season and gained a lot of experience. We are a young team and will return most of our team and those up-and-comers include our leading scorers in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2379030' first='Jackson' last='Donlan']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2379029' first='Karter' last='Weber']</strong>, our team captain and top defender <strong>Taylor Goodwin</strong>, our shooting guard <strong>Elshadi Mesfin</strong> and other role players such as <strong>Hunter Nankivel</strong>, <strong>Titus Sperling</strong>, <strong>Dominic Sperling</strong>, <strong>Austin Waldner</strong>, <strong>Justin</strong> <strong>Escobar</strong>, <strong>Domani Butler</strong>, and <strong>Ashton Kesteloot</strong>.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who was your best defensive player?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em><strong>Taylor Goodwin</strong> was our best defender this season. Goodwin has a high basketball IQ and great defensive instincts, allowing him to anticipate plays, make quick decisions, and communicate effectively with his teammates. His tenacity, determination, and willingness to put in the extra effort make him a valuable asset on defense, constantly pressuring and frustrating opponents. Overall, Goodwin's skill set, work ethic, and competitive spirit make him a formidable force on the defensive end of the court, setting him apart as a great basketball defender.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Any last comments/thoughts on the season?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Overall, this basketball season was one to remember. From the intense matchups to the breakout performances from young players, there were so many exciting moments. As I am sad to see our seniors leave us, our future is bright with all of the young talent that will be returning to our team and I am excited for our next season.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:italic;font-weight:800">Best of luck to the Bearcats this offseason!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1842251,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1842251" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->