EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the fifth in a series of high school basketball previews

 

   NEDERLAND -- The tides will start to change this year in Nederland's basketball program. Head coach Brian English is now in his second year with the Bulldogs

and the young squad he put together last season is now a year older.

  Perhaps the biggest bonus is the new basketball class schedule that English lobbied for over the off-season. Instead of getting his players two to three times a week during school hours, he gets to see his players for 45 minutes every day of the week.

  "The program is heading in the right direction," English said. "Getting the kids everyday is a plus. It's more consistent and gives the players more opportunities to learn our system. We got a lot of experience last year. We are still young but we were young last season."

  The Bulldogs finished last year 9-21 overall and 4-10 in District 22-4A. They were led by 6-2 guard Chris Hammond who was named newcomer of the year as a

sophomore and is expected to continue to improve this season.

  Hammond averaged 13.2 points per game last season. Nederland's other leading returners include juniors Francis Torres, Josh Dean, Jordan Pitts and senior Buddy Cooper.

  Torres is a 5-9 guard who averaged 6.2 points per game last season. Dean, a 6-3 post, averaged 6.5 points per game. Pitts, a 6-0 guard, averaged 5.8 points per game and Cooper, a 6-0 guard, averaged 7.1 points per game.

  Seniors Marcus Eaves, Kris Brisco, junior Evan Fitch and freshman Dionte Forney round out the rest of Nederland's squad. Forney is a 6-4 post player and hopes to add a presence in the paint for the Dogs.

  English said they are undersized but the key to the season will be unselfish basketball and a change in the mindset among the players.

  "They've (players) had a great summer and they gained a lot from last year. They're just going to have to start believing we can win and compete with anyone. I think they've started to figure out how to win and that's going to have to roll over into this season."

  English also said his team will have to be more consistent this season and play all four quarters, every night.

  "We have to share the ball and play together at all times," he said.

  Another bright spot for Nederland this season will be the new shiny floor in the Dog Dome, which was finished last month.

  "It's beautiful," English said. "It's a great addition for this program and gives the players something else to be excited about."

  The Dogs will be on that floor to start its regular season when they host Barbers Hill Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m.

  Nederland will play in three tournaments this season. First will be the NHS Bulldog Classic on Nov. 29 through Dec. 1. The Dogs will also play in the Orangefield Tournament Dec. 6-8 and the Barbers Hill Tournament Dec. 27-29. Nederland will open district at home against Port Neches-Groves at 7:30 p.m.