The Sulphur boys basketball team wrapped up another successful summer last weekend, as the Dogs competed at their second team camp, faring well at the University of Tulsa.
“It was very good competition for us,” said Sulphur head coach Grant Bates. “We saw 4A-6A schools and played a lot of teams we rarely, if ever, see. We were very competitive in all of the games and beat some good teams as well.”
Bates and his team are looking to build off a 10-15 record last year and the head coach thinks his team did that this summer.
“We have had a good summer. It’s always good to see the guys all together again and see how we look with new additions added in the mix. We have improved a lot so far,” he said.
The Dogs were also at Kingston team camp earlier this month, which went well on the court and allowed the team to bond off the court, too.
“We also went to Kingston camp. It was maybe not as good of competition as the Tulsa camp but we got to stay at Lake Texoma and have a good experience and get to know each other in a different setting than just a basketball court,” Bates said.
One thing Bates has noticed is his team’s improvement on the defensive end, which should be an anchor for this group heading into 2024-25.
“Defensively we are much better,” he said. “I was very impressed with how much better we guarded the ball. We will have an opportunity to make that the strength of this group.”
Bates also spoke about the ability to play a lot of guys, which should help create a different dynamic than a year ago.
“Our depth is noticeable,” he said. “We played 10 deep in every varsity game and that was something we struggled some with last year.”
“When you have more guys that can be thrown in the mix it opens a lot of doors to the style of play you can jump in and out of.”
Bates thinks his team will be able to push the pace next season and over the summer, the head coach saw his team improve scoring the basketball and executing in the half court, as well.
“Offensively, I think we improved our ball movement considerably in the 1/2 court week to week,” he said. “I also think with our defense being the strength, it will allow us to score better in transition.”
The things his team is able to focus on in the summer are so crucial for success when the winter season starts, which makes the improvements this month even more encouraging.
“It’s very important to me,” he said. “At a school our size we have a lot of kids being pulled to this or that sports wise and we had everyone show up to all camps this summer for the first time since I’ve been the head coach. That’s really important to me and shows me this group has a chance to be different.”
Bates hopes his team can continue to develop their individual skills, as well as sync up heading into the season and be ready to go, especially defensively, when December rolls around.
“In addition to just continuing developing our skills, I hope to see us shore up our defense techniques and rotations as well as getting everyone in tune on what we want to accomplish on the offensive end,” he said.
Regardless, with many returners, some newcomers and experience in tow, Bates thinks this is the best spot his program has been in under his leadership.
“I think we are in the best spot we have been in my three years as head coach,” he said. “There are still puzzle pieces we have to trial and error and fit before seasons end.”
“But I’m really excited about this group of young men and my hope is that we can put a product on the court that our community and school will be proud of.”
