By Chris Parker
Brandon Weiss enters his first season as the Miller boys basketball head coach. He may be new to the program, but he is very familiar with the school. Weiss went 52-12 as head coach of the Miller girls basketball program from 2008-10.
Seniors Garrett Stewart and Alex Pennington return as starters.
“These two are very similar,” Weiss said. “They both play great defense and will typically guard the other team’s best players. They are athletic with a quick burst of speed off the dribble. They can get to the rim and finish and create for others. They both lead by example.”
Senior Owen Pritchett along with sophomores Nate Hill and Jarod Lung return with varsity experience.
Weiss on Pritchett: “He is a post player that is willing to do the little things. He does a great job of playing defense, rebounding, and sacrificing himself for the team.”
Weiss on Hill: “Very athletic guard that can get to the hoop. He plays well on the defensive end. e can play multiple positions on the court.”
Weiss on Lung: “This is another kid that has a high IQ for the game. He handles the ball well and sees the floor well. He is a tough kid.”
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Senior Rolan Rinker, junior John Snider and freshman Owen Weiss will look to carve out roles on the varsity court.
Coach Weiss on Rinker: “Is a very creative player. He can shoot from the outside or slash to the hoop and finish at the rim. He will also hit the open person with the pass.”
Coach Weiss on Snider: “Has a lot of athletic ability. He can get to the hoop and create for himself as well as others. Plays on both ends of the floor.”
Coach Weiss on Owen Weiss: “Owen Weiss is a freshman that has watched and played a lot of basketball. As a coach’s kid, he has a high IQ for the game. He can shoot deep-range 3’s. He can also get to the hoop and finish. His knowledge of the game will help us be a leader on the court.”
Miller will have good depth this year but must develop confidence.
“We will have a lot of depth this year. This will help us to be creative on both ends of the floor. We will look to put pressure on teams at both ends of the floor,” Weiss said. “We must improve our confidence. We have a lot of guys that have the ability to score double figures but don’t realize it. If we can start the season off with confidence this could be a great year.”
Miller opens the season Nov. 28 through Dec. 3 at the Marionville tournament.
“We want teams that come play us to feel that they got outworked,” Weiss said. “We want them to understand that they are going to be in a fight when they play us.”
