AHS BOYS BASKETBALL
LAST YEAR: Playing with freshmen and sophomores only, Appoqunimink just missed making the state tournament in their first varsity season.
COACHES: Former University of Delaware center Spencer Dunkley debuts as a varsity head coach. He’s assisted by Ian Baker and Anthony Justice, who will also coach the junior varsity and freshmen squads, respectively.
RETURNING STARTERS: A.J. English III (6-3, jr.); Aaron Clark (6-1, jr.); A’Jen English (6-0, so.).
REST OF THE ROSTER: Andre Kirk (6-4, jr.); Cecil Bond (5-11, so.); Brendan Gaden (6-5, so.); Phil Hackett (5-11, so.); Hayden Kemp (6-3, jr.); Stephen Brown (6-1, jr.); Zach Heath (5-10, so.); Rob Margis (6-0, so.); John Gasparovic (6-4, jr.).
LOOKING AHEAD: The Jaguars are a year older, and expect to continue their collective rise as on of the state’s best teams. Coach Dunkley’s goal is to win a state title.
“I’m not a person to do anything half-hearted, so the main goal should be to go all the way,” said Dunkley, who stands 6-foot-11 and played professionally for several years. “If it doesn’t happen then so be it, but that should be what any team strives for.
“The guys have worked very hard to get ready for this season, and I’m encouraged about the direction they’re headed.”
With the returning trio of the English brothers and Clark back in the layup line, Appo should score points in flurries when things are going right. They can score inside or outside, off turnovers and on the fastbreak. English III received all-state mention last year and is a likely upper Division I college recruit. Clark and A’Jen English also have the attention of college programs.
“Offensively, we are very talented,” Dunkley said. “My only concerns are that we don’t force shots and play within the framework of having five men on the court playing as one group.”
Bond, Gasparovic and Kirk also received extensive varsity playing time last season, and all three started games. Gaden, Brown and Kemp are untested on the varsity level, but have potential to see action around the basket.
Dunkley said defense and rebounding must be improved if Appo is to succeed against the better teams in Delaware.
“We don’t box out well yet and are a little unsure on help defense,” Dunkley said. “We don’t like to leave the man we’re guarding and are still playing as five individuals defensively. Once we figure that out, our team success will grow.”
