The Sinclair Tartans men’s basketball team is a week away from starting their season at home against Pikeville College and after two scrimmage games head coach Jeff Price said there is something special about this team.
“I got goosebumps I’m so fired up,” Price said. “Those guys created an atmosphere that every coach dreams about. The clock struck four and I felt like Cinderella at the ball.”
The first home game is at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9 and will feature two sophomores and three freshmen in the starting lineup.
“This team will be a little bit like a roller coaster this season,” Price said. “We’ll have our ups and downs, but this team could be special.
Price said coaching the team has been relatively easy, because the team’s play in practice has enhanced his coaching.
“They’ve elevated my coaching to a whole ‘nother level,” Price said.
Although the team hasn’t been together for an extended amount of time, Price said their communication in practice resembles a team that has been playing together for four years.
Pikeville College, even though Sinclair is playing the Junior Varsity team, Price said they are no slouches.
“The toughest thing about Pikeville, even though it’s the JV team, is that their Varsity won the NAIA championship last year,” Price said. “I imagine they have some pretty good players on that JV squad.”
Price said that his team has more than held their own in the team’s scrimmage games thus far and the team has been excited to play together as a team.
“We we’re tired of looking at each other and it’s been great to see some live action,” Price said.
The Tartan Pride is returning from another 20 win season last year and Price hopes the team can produce another successful season.
Athletic Director, Jack Giambrone said his hopes for the Men’s basketball team haven’t changed— Giambrone wants a National title.
“That’s the goal every year,” Giambrone said. “How we get there, sometimes can have some twists and turns that we might not expect, or are pleasantly surprised by, but we’re excited.
Giambrone and Price are both excited by the athletic ability the men’s team seems to possess. Now the only thing more exciting for Price and Giambrone is getting to see the team open the season against Pikeville.