Coaches Corner: Etzler and Hammons

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

Rivals United Week will be capped off by Friday night’s Crestview at Lincolnview boys basketball game, a matchup that should be an entertaining one in front of what’s certain to be a packed house at Lincolnview High School.

Crestview enters the game with five straight wins, while the Lancers are coming off a weekend sweep of Delphos Jefferson and Delphos St. John’s.

The coaches, Doug Etzler and Brett Hammons shared their thoughts on their teams and the game.

Doug Etzler

Crestview (9-9, 2-3 NWC) hasn’t lost since falling to Delphos Jefferson on January 17 and head coach Doug Etzler attributes his team’s improved play to several factors.

“We have done a pretty good job of staying in games when we might not be playing great offensively because of our defensive mentality,” Etzler said. “I think offensively we continue to improve a little each week. The guys are more comfortable with what we are running.”

“The guys also have a good idea of their strengths and have done a good job of sticking to what they do well. We are playing together well and playing with more confidence than we had early in the year.”

The Knights actually have two rivalry games this weekend, with Wayne Trace coming to town on Saturday, but Etzler noted his team’s attention is on Friday night.

“Our focus is solely on Lincolnview right now,” Etzler explained. “We are taking things one game at a time. Our next game is always going to be our most important game.”

This will be our sixth consecutive weekend for having back-to-back games,” the coach continued. “The second game preparation is a lot different than the first game because you only have a little time to prepare compared to having all week to get ready for Friday nights game.”

“Luckily your opponent is in the same situation where they have played on Friday night also. You do the best you can to go over some sets and tendencies for Saturday night’s game, but for the most part it comes down to who does the little things the best that night.”

“Both Lincolnview and Wayne Trace are going to be well prepared and ready to play. Both teams are well coached and have very good players Both games are big rivalry games and will be played a high intensity level. We need to make sure we are ready to go both nights.”

Brett Hammons

Defense was Lincolnview’s focus going into last week’s games and the extra emphasis paid off with a pair of shutdown wins over Delphos Jefferson and Delphos St. John’s. The Lancers held the two opponents to a combined 74 points and Delphos St. John’s managed just 25 percent shooting against Lincolnview.

Head coach Brett Hammons has been on both sides of the rivalry, having graduated from Crestview in 2001 and coaching against his alma mater, and entering this weekend, he likes what he’s seen from his team and hopes to see more.

“I like the way we’ve moved the basketball and did a good job of playing inside out,” Hammons said. “I like the way we ran the floor also. Last weekend was the best we guarded all year and really looking to continue to do that.”

Entering the season, the Lancers (9-8, 4-1 NWC) weren’t able to boast a lot of varsity experience, but Hammons is happy with how his team has progressed throughout the season.

“I have been pleased with the growth the players have been making this year on both ends of the floor,” Hammons said. “They have gotten better on defense with they way we have been communicating and rebounding. On offense I think we’re doing a better job of moving the basketball and creating better shots for ourselves.”

While looking at Crestview, Hammons acknowledged that with their size and length, the Knights can make create matchup problems for any opponent.

“They do a good job of making things difficult,” Hammons stated. On the offensive end it’s the way they can attack and shoot the basketball.”

Friday’s Crestview at Lincolnview game will air live on 99.7 WKSD.