ANSONIA – As Chad Cramer returns to lead the Ansonia boys basketball team, he still has a lot of uncertainty about his team.
But by the end of the season when things get sorted out, he hopes the Tigers will pick up the new concepts and be playing well.
“It’s taking a little time,” Cramer said of the team adjusting to the new coaching staff and what it’s trying to teach. “It’s all a work in progress.”
The only senior for Ansonia is Dane Wentworth. As the Tigers’ veteran, they will look to the 6-foot 2-inch Wentworth to be a leader.
“So far he’s shown some good leadership,” Cramer said.
Joining Wentworth on the varsity roster are a pair of juniors in Lane Clark and Kane Kimmel. Ansonia also has sophomores Trevor Alexander, Nathan Denniston, Aydan Sanders and Brayden Swabb plus freshmen Hunter Muir and Devyn Sink.
“We’ll be inexperienced,” Cramer said.
All nine varsity players will contribute in their own way, Cramer said. However, who starts and sees the most varsity time is still undecided as preparations for the upcoming season continue and the Tigers battle through some injuries.
When the Tigers do take the court, they will run a new offense. They’ll employ a motion offense like St. Henry, where Cramer spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach.
Ansonia has shown some promise on offense, Cramer said.
“We’ve shot it pretty well so far,” he said. “I think we have some really good shooters and some really good passers.”
On defense, Ansonia still is sorting out whether a man-to-man defense or a zone defense best suits the team. The defense is showing positive steps every day, Cramer said, but isn’t great yet. He hopes the unit will be strong by the end of the season.
Ansonia has some versatility, Cramer said, and is working hard to become the team it wants to be.
“We’re working pretty hard in practice,” Cramer said. “We’re getting better every day.”
