The Fayetteville-Perry Rockets hit the hardwood this season under the leadership of their new head coach DJ McCommons.
Although he’s only been with the Rockets a short period of time, he likes what he has seen so far out of this year’s Fayetteville-Perry varsity boys basketball squad.
“In my first year and short time with the guys, so far I have learned a lot,” said McCommons. “They have so much heart, they compete daily and their skills are improving daily too.”
The Rockets have only one senior this season who they will rely heavily on leadership from, guard Christopher Murphy. This marks Murphy’s fourth year of varsity.
“Our lone senior Chris Murphy will be relied on heavily but we won’t be shy about letting others take the leadership roles,” said McCommons. “Definitely expecting some younger guys to make a name for themselves. With only one senior, multiple underclassmen will get the shot to prove themselves.”
“Our team will be young overall with one senior but a lot of growth will be made,” McCommons added.
McCommons has past coaching experience in AAU and at Purcell Marian High School.
He hopes to see steady improvement out of this year’s Rockets.
“I hope to the see the team get 1% better daily,” he said. “If that happens, we will get to whatever win total we are supposed to, and get some tournament wins too.”
With one player (Blake Coffman, sophomore) topping out around 6’5”, two players at 6’4” (sophomore Levi Wiederhold and freshman Austin Snider) and four more over 6’0”, this year’s Rockets aren’t lacking in size.
Expect them to be athletic, strong, and aggressive with some of the players coming off fall football season.
The Rockets were scheduled to face the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs in a SHAC contest on the road on Nov. 29, and on Dec. 6 they will venture to Felicity-Franklin High School to face the home standing Cardinals.
