By Chris Chaney
Sports Editor
While high school basketball is just getting underway this week, on the campus of the University of Cincinnati – Clermont College the hoops have been back for close to a month.
Cougars head coach Greg Himes has a young team that is trying to acclimate itself with the changes that college basketball brings, while also balancing the game with their studies.
“We have high expectations even though we have only two team members who have any college experience,” Himes said. “As usual, we try to keep high expectations. One of things we’re looking at right now as a positive is the great job our team is doing in the classroom, (excelling) off the court as well as on the court.
“These kids are adjusting to the college game. It makes a big difference when you come out of the high school game and into the college game. A lot of people don’t realize that — (they think) you’re talented, you should just adjust to the college game right away.”
The learning curve that UC Clermont is incurring relates to all but two players on the team, as Himes said. Only Logan Cummins returns to the fold from last year’s team, while Alec Smith, a transfer from Southern State, has some college experience, but is adapting to a new system.
Other than those two sophomores, the Cougars are made up entirely of freshmen.
“Our biggest recruiting prizes were Dorian Henry out of Mason County… and Rod Avery,” Himes said. “(Henry) is 6’7” and was the 10th Region Player of the Year (as a high school senior). He was probably one of the best high school players in the state of Kentucky last season.
“(Avery) is a post player from Holmes. He’s given us a lot of energy and a lift there.”
Henry and Avery, along with the other freshmen on the roster, are coming out of an early-season period that saw the Cougars begin the year 1-6. However, much of that can be attributed to the opponents on Clermont’s schedule.
“We play a tough schedule as always. We started out a little slow, but things are starting to pick up,” Himes said. “Guys are really starting to get adjusted to what’s happening in the college game.”
That adjustment seemed to really take hold this past weekend when the Cougars hosted the first annual Phil Sinkovich Basketball Classic at the Student Activities Center on the campus of UC Clermont. The event, named in honor of the first men’s basketball coach at the school, was a testament to the hard work Sinkovich put into getting the UC Clermont basketball program off of the ground.
“Coach Sinkovich had to go around and beg for gym time at local high schools and at the Shoemaker Center at UC. He didn’t have the luxury of having our own home court,” Himes said. “He built this thing into what it is: becoming a national championship program. It was great to be able to honor him with a classic with his name behind it. He is the backbone behind our program.”
Playing in front of crowds filled with alumni, former UC Clermont players and Sinkovich himself, Himes’ squad did the program proud winning the first edition of the Classic.
On Nov. 20, the Cougars took down Ivy Tech – Columbus to advance to the championship against Wittenberg on Nov. 21. Following a victory over the Tigers, Clermont was able to keep the Phil Sinkovich Basketball Classic trophy on campus.
“I told the guys that it’s our Classic, let’s play with energy,” Himes said. “I told them, ‘this is our home court, let’s defend it and not let any body else put the first annual Phil Sinkovich Classic trophy in their trophy case. It belongs in Clermont with us.’ The guys really responded very well to that.”
The Cougars moved their record to 3-6 and now get into the meat of their schedule as December descends upon them.
For more information on the UC Clermont basketball team, log on to the school’s website at ucclermont.edu and navigate to the ‘Athletics’ tab.