Basketball Bulletin Board
Up to date news and information about the East High Program

Max returns, with his family, from China and Europe after having spent the last 2½ years away. At 6’5”, Max brings size and effort to our Varsity team joining a strong sophomore class. He is eager to learn and is a welcome addition back to our program. In just the short time since his return, Max has gotten a crash course on our system of play.  Not only is Max a good student but he has a high basketball IQ enabling him to grasp concepts quickly on the court. He, also, gives us a shot-blocking threat and an inside presence that we haven’t enjoyed much in the last seven years since Coach Hopkins took over the program. It is very clear to the coaching staff what Max will bring not only this season but in the coming years as well.  His future is most definitely a bright one.

Carter has grown 2 inches and added 12 pounds of muscle to an already athletic frame. Combine this strength with his speed and quickness; we have a gem of an athlete on our team. He was promoted to the Varsity as a sophomore last season and contributed to the team’s 13-8 record. He is now ready to take on a larger role in scoring, rebounding and defensive toughness. With an increase in minutes played each game, we have confidence that he will be able to consistently produce at both ends of the floor. His intelligence both on the court as well as on the classroom only enhances his opportunities to be a major factor on this year’s team. Carter was an all-league lacrosse player last season as a sophomore on Varsity and was a member of the district’s cross country team this past fall.

In all of the years that Coach Hopkins has been coaching high school basketball, Dennis may be one of the best, if not the best, athletes that he has coached. Dennis is fast, quick and can jump out of the gym. After enduring an entire year of rehabbing a serious knee injury, Dennis is ready and eager to get on the court to demonstrate his skills. So is the coaching staff! Dennis brings a tremendous amount of energy to the court. He has improved his overall game both offensively and defensively. With improved decision-making with the ball, Dennis will make a large contribution to this year’s team. It takes a lot of heart to go through all of the rehab following a serious injury, participate in summer league and do all of the work necessary to prepare him for a sport that he is passionate about. The team will benefit from his time and efforts. Dennis also runs track in the spring.

How rare is it for a player at any level to have the ability to make 3pt. shots AND have the ability to post up down low and do both effectively? John has that measure of ability. John understands the game and is beyond his years in basketball IQ. Even though he is coming up from the JV’s where most players need time to adjust that level, John is ready to step into a Varsity role and possibly into the starting lineup. Every game, John will be ready to help the team in wide variety of categories. A tenacious rebounder and tireless worker, John has a nose for the ball and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

Eric is one of the better athletes in our program. He has surprising quickness and excellent skills around the basket. His innate ability to anticipate passes and cause turnovers, wrecks havoc with opponents’ play. He, also, provides our team with an athletic player who can defend point guards as well as forwards. He earned this opportunity to join us on the Varsity with his outstanding performance during our spring and summer activities. Nate Matusick, who graduated in 2005, was termed as a player who played with “quiet grace”. Eric is not that far from being the same type of athlete/player that Nate was. He is a hard worker both in practice and in games. Subsequently, he improves at an accelerated rate when compared to the average player.  With improved shooting skills, Eric has the potential to be an all-STAC performer in the coming years. Eric also plays football and baseball.

A 3-year Varsity player, Jeff takes on the role of leader as a senior. He has improved his skills as much as any player in the history of the program with his strength, stamina and scoring skills. He has added an effective mid-range jump shot, an ability to get to the rim to go along with his 3pt. shooting prowess. He holds the all-time school record for 3pt. shots made with 7 in a game set last season.  He is a clutch free throw shooter and is expected to get to the line more often this season. He is being recruited for basketball by several DIII colleges in NY. His understanding of the game will be helpful to our young team. His passing skills will make our young players better.  His work ethic will set an example for all of our players. Jeff was also a member of the school districts’ cross country team this past fall developing his stamina for the coming season. He plans on studying business in college.

One of the team’s best athletes, Jordan has prepared himself in the off-season for an important role on this year’s team entering his senior year.  Having endured chronic knee pain over the last year, he hopes to overcome this obstacle with supreme effort as well as performance. Possessing an excellent mid-range jump shot, he will be looking to increase his range to compliment his ability to drive. Playing a minimal role on last year’s team, he will be gunning for a starting position and becoming a major player with this year team’s success. Jordan is an excellent student with plans to take his classroom talents to top-notch colleges. Jordan was a member of the District’s Golf team this past fall.

How much credit does a basketball player deserve when he is promoted to Varsity as a sophomore after being a reserve on the JV’s the previous year? Tyler has grown 3 inches and has trimmed his body displaying a conditioned athletic look. Not to mention, he has superior skills around the basket as well as having “point guard eyes”. His biggest attribute might his instinctive approach to the game, understanding how to play and how we play. He has always had a “feel for the game”.  His endurance will be tested facing stronger/older players but he will pose problems for them with scoring skills and shot-faking ability. Possessing long arms, Tyler will block shots for us and rebound effectively. Tyler plays on the district’s soccer team as well as East’s baseball team.

Chris is a transfer student from Connecticut. He is a solid athlete with speed and a tremendous work ethic. He comes to practice to work hard every day to get better and at the same time make his teammates better because of his efforts. He will play forward for our team. You are not going to find a better young man. He is eager to learn as much as he can about the game and our system of play.

A first team All-STAC West selection last year as a sophomore, Shawn will be looking to improve his 11.2pts. scoring average as he enters his junior year. Shawn is quick, fast and jumps extremely well. He has expanded his game with off-season workouts and is prepared to take on more of a scoring load as well as being one of the team’s better defenders. He has received several letters from college basketball coaches asking for his talent for their programs in just his junior year. He loves to penetrate the lane with his skill and quickness but is not bound to just scoring as he has the ability to pass to open teammates as well. He has improved his shooting which is scary for our opposition as he was already a deadly 3pt. threat last year. Shawn also stars on the East High football team. He serves as a wide receiver, defensive end and punter.