The Paideia School Basketball Season Preview

The Paideia School basketball team is gearing up for an intense and highly competitive season. Led by Head Coach Eddie Johnson, the team is determined to play complete games of “T.U.F.F.” basketball – Tough, Unselfish, Fearless, and Focused. I had the opportunity to chat with Coach Johnson about the top returning players, new additions, team chemistry, and coaching philosophy to get a better perspective on the team’s outlook for the upcoming season. According to Coach Johnson, the top returning players from last season are CJ Harper, Tristan Mitchell, David Oglesby-Smith, and Reggie Moorman. These players will play a crucial role in the team’s success this season due to their experience in the program. CJ and David are third-year starters, while Tristan and Reggie are in their second year. Coach Johnson believes that their experience will be instrumental in implementing the team’s playing style and achieving success on the court. In addition to the returning players, Coach Johnson is also excited about two new additions – junior Kadin Elridge and freshman Stevie Shields. He believes that both players will have an immediate impact on the team due to their strong voices and the respect they have earned from their teammates. Coach Johnson looks for players with leadership qualities, strong work ethic, and positive attitude for the role of team captain, and he sees these qualities in Kadin and Stevie. When it comes to team chemistry and camaraderie, Coach Johnson emphasizes the importance of having players with a strong voice who don’t get down on themselves during tough situations. He also believes in organizing team bonding events throughout the season to foster a strong bond between the players. This is especially important for a small team like theirs, where teamwork and unity are crucial for success. Motivation is another key aspect of any team’s success, and Coach Johnson’s approach involves hell week and intense conditioning, along with team bonding events. He also believes in pushing his players out of their comfort zones and instilling a never-give-up attitude. With a tough training and conditioning program, Coach Johnson and the team are preparing for a highly competitive season. However, he admits that one of the biggest challenges in preparing for this season is his patience with the younger and less experienced players. Nonetheless, he believes in the importance of learning from failures and using them as stepping stones towards future success. When it comes to the team’s schedule, every game is tough for Coach Johnson.