2002-2003 Outlook

This season marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Tri-State basketball. Rob Harmon begins his first season as the Thunder head coach after serving as the top assistant for the past seven seasons. Coach Harmon’s emphasis this year will be to implement an up-tempo motion offense and to integrate several new faces with nine returning lettermen and several junior varsity players who will push for playing time.

 “Our success this year will be determined by how quickly we understand and implement the new offensive and defensive philosophies,” Harmon said. “Despite the many philosophical changes in the program, the foundation of Tri-State Basketball will continue to be team chemistry, unselfishness and hard work.” 

 Coach Harmon and his staff are excited about the team’s potential. “This year’s team is by far the most athletic and deep team that I have been associated with here at TSU,” Harmon said. Jeff Halstead, who has been with the Thunder program for the past six years as a part-time coach, is now Coach Harmon’s full-time varsity assistant. “Jeff’s work with our players in the weight and conditioning programs has been remarkable over the years, and this year’s team may be our strongest physically.” 

 Also joining the coaching staff is Josh Sheets, who played for the Thunder from 1996-1999 and was a three-year starter at point guard. Sheets is the new head coach for the junior varsity program and assisting him is Ezell Moore, a communication senior who finished his playing career this past season for the Thunder and is now finishing degree requirements.

 One area of concern for Coach Harmon this year is team leadership, with only four upperclassmen on the entire roster. Harmon expects much of the leadership burden to fall on the shoulders of captains, Jon Gates, Donnie Danklefsen and Matt Obras. Gates, who is the starting point guard, enters his senior year with a lot of pressure being put on his shoulders by the coaching staff. “Jon has valuable playing experience, so I expect him to lead this team like he did his sophomore year when he earned All-Conference honors. He has put in a very good summer, and I expect him to play at a very high level this year,” Harmon said. Despite not being a starter last season, Danklefsen, who is also a senior, will be the heart and soul of this year’s team as the ultimate team player who is willing to accept any role placed on him by the coaching staff. “Donnie has greatly improved his overall game during the off-season, and I know his work ethic and enthusiasm will always be present on the floor.” Returning starter, sophomore Matt Obras, definitely receives the award as most improved player during the off-season. He has gained some much needed muscle strength as well as vastly improved his already solid low-post game. “I strongly feel that Matt will shock many of our opponents this year with his versatility from the center position.”

 Junior Luke Amstutz and sophomore Brandon O’Leary round out the returning starters for the Thunder. “Luke has started for the past two years at the off guard spot and his game has improved each year, and I see no change in that pattern this year as he has really taken his shooting ability to the next level by putting in a tremendous summer of work,” Harmon said. Brandon O’Leary received post season accolades last year by being named to the All-Newcomer team for the conference.  Brandon was one of several young players last year who gained some very valuable playing experience that should pay big dividends this year. Two other returning varsity lettermen who will be looked upon for support are sophomore Brandon Appleton and junior Jason Elkins. “Brandon was primarily the first guard off the bench last year for us, and I expect him to capitalize on the experience and knowledge he gained as a freshman last year. We will rely on his gifted ball handling abilities and his defensive pressure throughout the season,” Harmon said. Last season, Jason Elkins was plagued by several nagging injuries that greatly slowed his progress. “I challenged Jason in our spring meeting to lower his weight over the summer, and he answered the challenge by reporting this fall at more than 30 pounds lighter than what he finished last season. We are now starting to see just what he is capable of, and we have been very impressed. I always knew Jason was very smart on the floor, and now his body is able to react much quicker to actions on the floor. He will be a major factor in our new offensive strategy of emphasizing our inside attack.

 Our junior varsity team last year compiled the best overall record in TSU basketball history at 15-6. Several of those players saw limited varsity action last year, which helped orient them to the college basketball scene. “Our junior varsity has always been and will continue to be a developmental program for our young players who need extra playing time and experience,” Harmon explained. The Thunder will be looking for extra assurance from a quartet of sophomore players from last year’s junior varsity team: Jim Modlin and Aaron Rehrer, who should provide extra depth at the guard spots; David Hutter, one of the team’s most athletic players; and Kris Young, a wide body who could serve as a back-up center.

“Jim is a very heady point guard who always makes solid decisions on the court. Aaron may be the best shooter on the entire roster,” Harmon said. “David needs to be more assertive on the court and use his athleticism. He should flourish in our up-tempo style offense as he pushes for minutes at the forward position,” Harmon said. “Kris may need some further polishing on his individual skills, but who could be a real factor as the back-up center.”

 According to Harmon, another sophomore, Eric Koncz, has vastly improved his overall game since last year, but he needs a year of playing experience on the junior varsity team to further continue his strong development. Sophomores Greg Ripple and Paul Finnegan have chosen to be red-shirted this season, so they can concentrate on their academics and overall skill development.

 Three newcomers will be competing with the returning lettermen for playing time. Sophomore John Taylor, who red-shirted last season after transferring from IPFW is a very athletic forward who has spent a year working on his skills and is looking to earn minutes at the small forward position. Marqus Husband is freshman red-shirt who sat out last season to concentrate on his academics. “I look for Marques to cause a lot of match-up problems for our opponents. He has the body and strength to bang inside, but he is also gifted with a very good shooting touch and ball handling skills which enable him to play on the perimeter,” Harmon said. Micah Williams is a transfer freshman from Kentucky State University. “Micah brings some great athleticism and quickness to the already loaded guard position,” Harmon commented.

 The coaching staff is very excited about the overall talent and depth of the freshman class. “The newcomers have been working very hard throughout the conditioning phase and in the indoor practice sessions.  They have stayed very positive and competitive throughout the learning stages of practice. I see several players who, with some playing experience, could be instrumental factors in our program in the future,” Harmon said, noting that there is a strong emphasis on guard play in this freshman class as eight out of eleven newcomers are capable of playing one of the two guard spots. These players are Grant Applegate, Bobby Arroyo, Mo Brookins, Tony Finn, Daniel Hill, Brian MacGregor, Matt Wendel and Andre Vergara. On the front line Trevor Andeshock and Jermael King look to provide an inside presence. There is always an opportunity for one or more of these newcomers to have an impact at the varsity level, based on how quickly they learn the system and adjust to the college level.

 The Thunder, as usual, will be road tested by the time they reach conference play in the always traditionally tough Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC). They will play 12 non-conference road games, which will test the mental and physical stamina of the young team. “Our schedule is always an issue, but the fact that we have trouble finding home opponents is a testament to our successful history here at TSU,” Harmon said.  Last season, the Thunder ended their streak of consecutive 20-win seasons at six, so this year the Thunder look to start a new streak. “This is also our last season in the WHAC before moving into the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, which even further motivates our players to out with a bang,” Harmon said. “And we could. If the players accept the challenge of playing unselfishly, working hard everyday and improving daily, we could become a very good basketball team.”