Basketball Feature: McClain Tigers

For the first time in a few seasons, the McClain Tigers aren't young ... rather, they are a team with varsity playing experience and six seniors who not only know what the McClain tradition stands for, but this group of six young men wants to add their mark to what is already a tradition-filled program.
    
The Tiger seniors have worked the past three seasons at either the freshman, JV or varsity levels to get to this point, making the Tigers one of the contenders in the South Central Ohio League and hoping to get MHS back to Athens for the district tournament.
    
McClain's seniors this year are John Turner, Devin Trefz, Trevor Gossett, Philip Thompson, Tyler McGuire and Brent Shannon, many of whom have had some success in another sport, and all of whom want to bring the Tigers back where they are used to being.
    
They want that to start this season.
    
Looking back before this season begins, some of the players looked at their time of being members of a traveling youth team called The Rebels, coached by Travis O'Conner.
    
"I started with the Rebels in third grade," Gossett said. "A lot of us have been together a long time, and most of the seniors were Rebels."
    
"I started a little later in the fifth grade ... like he said, most of us seniors were Rebels, and we've stayed together since," Trefz said.
    
"My dad got me involved when I was about five ... I would watch him play in recreation leagues," McGuire said. "When we moved to Greenfield, I got involved in the basketball camp. As for the Rebels, I started with them in the fourth through sixth grades."
    
"When I was younger, I grew up in Kettering, and I used to play basketball with my friends when I was really young," Thompson said. "Then I started in their youth leagues, and when I moved here, I played in the city leagues."
    
"I first started at Hamilton Township, and I moved here when I was about 6," Shannon said. "When I went to Buckskin, I really didn't know anybody, came in and tried out for the Rebels."
    
Turner spoke about how his father (John) also influenced his basketball career.
    
"I started basketball with my father teaching me how to play the game," Turner said. "He's taught me everything I know about the game up to now.
    
"I've played with this senior group since the seventh grade, and I want us to enjoy this last year. It has been fun to watch my teammates and myself progress since then."
    
With success in other sports, Trefz, Gossett and Thompson all are coming off a successful football season where they helped the Tigers go 7-3 (their best record in over five years) and one spot away from making the state football playoffs. That accomplishment and momentum hasn't left that group as they want to transfer that success to the basketball court this winter.
    
"Football gives you discipline, and in football, if you aren't disciplined, you are in trouble," Gossett said. "If you really know how to work hard, you can become successful."
    
"We know what it takes and means to be successful, so we are hoping to bring that into this sport," Trefz said. "We need to come into the basketball season with the same attitude we did with football. We have to just do what we have to do."
    
Practice and repetition is also an important part of basketball, and the seniors spoke about their offseason preparation as they head into this year.
    
"I don't realize how much I'd miss a sport until it was gone, so here with basketball, we have a board and one of the things it says is 'make every play count' ... and that means a lot to me now because after this year, my high school career is over."
    
"Coming off football season, I was kind of banged up," Trefz said. "The main thing is we need to just be prepared, and again, stay disciplined."[[In-content Ad]]
"I'm looking forward to having the team actually come together this year," Thompson said. "I really want to see the team get together. For the team, I just want to see us get to the Convo."
    
"Last year we grew up a lot as players … we matured more," Turner said. "Just to play here at McClain … it means a lot. I love playing basketball, it is one of my passions, and it is nice to be a part of the tradition. I just want to do my part and keep it going."
    
Even though this group is prepared, they are also looking forward to just getting the season under way.
    
"I'm just wanting our team to leave a mark here and just get better," McGuire said. "I want to leave an impression here like the older guys before me did when I was younger. We have a good team because we all get along. Our main goal is to play to win."
    
"Just like football, we were 1-9 the year before, and we improved … I really think that can happen here, too," Gossett said. "There have been those who have underestimated us, and there are those who have support for us, too. We can surprise those who underestimate us and have a strong year."
    
"Our team has grown together since we've played basketball together most of our lives, and I want to continue that," Shannon said. "This is it … this is the last time we get to play on the same team, and I believe we can go far."
    
"We should stay strong and play hard … just like football," Trefz said. "A lot of football players play basketball, so we all know what to expect from each other and how the others play and prepare for games. It's all about us having the same mentality."
    
Some of the seniors spoke about why they love the game and have continued to play for much of their lives.
    
"It is the competition," Thompson said. "The competition is different than most sports. It's different than football because in basketball, when you get to have the ball, there is just a rush."
    
"The same as Philip … I love the competition," McGuire said. "We are playing together to win a game … there is something special about that. I've always loved the game, the ups and downs, and I go to basketball for answers. There is a passion for the game I just have."
    
"There is a love of the game I have," Shannon said. "I like being here around my friends, this is our last turn. Every year, the love of the game and the competition gets better."

There is also one fact this group realizes this year, and that is they need to finish games. If they can do that, they know their season can improve.
    
"From last year, there were a lot of games we didn't win because we didn't finish," Thompson said. "Our big goal is to finish games and to play hard. If we do that, we'll be all right."
    
A lot of times last year, we would play three quarters well, and when it would come down to the final seconds, it seemed like we didn't have enough energy to push ourselves," McGuire said. "This year, when it comes down to that moment, we have to look at ourselves, give it our all and not back down … don't quit."
    
Shannon also agreed with his teammates.
    
"I believe finishing is important," Shannon said. "We lost by one or two points too many times last year, and we have to stick together through the tough times."
    
As always, the group understands how important basketball is to their community, and they take pride in being a part of the team.
    
"It is amazing to have the tradition we have and to have the following we have," Shannon said. "It means a lot to play for our town, and I wouldn't trade it for anything."
    
"When you look at the portraits on the wall of all the district champions and different teams, I want us to be a part of that," McGuire said. "I watched this whole town come together and support the team, and to be a part of that is a good thing. When you have the whole town backing you up … how can you not love it?"
    
"It means a great deal to all of us to be a part of this," Thompson said. "People I've never met in my life come up to me on the streets, wave, and it is just nice to have that support."