2010 Boys Basketball Preview

By Bryan Holmgren '02

Every good coach knows when to put his foot down. For 21 seasons it’s been Mitch Fiegel’s go-to move.

When he wants a player’s attention on the court, Fiegel stomps. Same thing when he disagrees with a call or when he’s frustrated by poor play. He even mixes in a tap or two when he’s happy.

But all that stomping has come at a cost.

“My right knee doesn’t have any cartilage left. It’s bone on bone,” said Fiegel. “I tried clapping last season, but it’s just not the same.”

Luckily, some 514 games and several thousand additional practices have yielded far more in the way of positives for one of the state’s winningest coaches.

“To be great at anything you have to devote at least 10,000 hours to it,” Fiegel said. “I’m finally at the point where I can reap the rewards of 20 years of coaching. I see a situation now, and I can think back to 1994 or whenever and say ‘hey, I’ve seen that. I’ve been in this situation before. I know what to do, here.”

That’s a particularly scary thought for the competition. Collegiate has won three of the last four 3A state championships with an end-to-end trapping defense that borders on suffocating. Two platoons of five players each guarding full court for 32 minutes.

“As a [coaching] staff, we’re just now getting good at the press,” said Fiegel. “We started learning it in the 90s and teaching it in 2005.”

Call it a work in progress, even if it already looks like a masterpiece.

The Spartans lost all five starters off of last year’s state champion juggernaut. A sure recipe for a rebuilding season in most programs. Not so or Collegiate.

“When you platoon like we did last year, that means your second five saw a lot of significant minutes. You may be losing five, but those second five are almost like starters,” Fiegel said.

The Spartans have six seniors on a varsity roster that will be top-heavy with upperclassmen. Doug Burton, a 6’4 forward, is the team’s top returning scorer, averaging 7 points and 3 rebounds off the bench last winter. 6’5 junior Trace Clark (6 ppg last year) and 6’6 sophomore Riley Kemmer also provide height.

Raymond Taylor, Marcus Phox and Kevin Richardson also contributed significant minutes for the defending champs as members of the second platoon.

Fiegel isn’t ready to commit to another 10-deep rotation, saying he’ll use the first month as a gauge before making a decision.

New in 2010-11:

*A switch from the old MCAA to the AVCTL Division IV means a much deeper schedule. The Spartans won’t see a single 3A opponent until the start of substate.

Fiegel: “It will be interesting to see if we can still do what we want to do against bigger and better athletes. It will make us better in the long run.”

*A new practice jersey to vie for - Mr. Burn and Mr. Charge, meet Mr. Deflection.

*The 2011 state tournament will be the 100^th in Kansas history. KSHSAA is inviting former state championship teams back to celebrate on the final Saturday.

Fiegel: “How cool would it be to be playing in that game with five past championship teams on hand. It’s be like a family reunion. We’re trying to imprint that vision on our team.”

Returning Lettermen (7):

Chase Atnip – 5’10 SR Guard (1 point per game last year)
Kevin Richardson – 5’10 SR Guard (5 ppg, three point sharp-shooter)

Raymond Taylor – 5’1- SR Guard (4 ppg, 2 assists, great defender)
Keenan Tisdale – 5’10 SR Guard (2ppg)
Doug Burton – 6’4 SR Guard/Forward (7 pts, 3 reb)

Markus Phox – 6’0 SO Guard (5 pts, 2 asst)

Trace Clark – 6’5 JR Center/Forward (6pts)

Others who will potentially make an impact:

Harrison Morris – 5’10 JR Point Guard
William Short – 5’10 JR Guard
Eric Adams – 6’4 JR Guard/Forward

Scott Sullivan – 6’3 JR Forward/Center

Riley Kemmer – 6’6 SO Guard/Forward/Center