It’s a new era for the Richmond Heights boys basketball team, with a new coaching staff and a young roster.
Yet the Spartans are bringing the same intensity they had in their three straight state championship wins.
Coach Mel Burke Jr. takes the reins of the program and is focused on having the team hit the reset button on its expectation level, to an extent.
While Burke knows the team has the talent to contend with the top-level teams in Division VI, he isn’t pushing them to replicate the run in the same way the players before them did. Rather, he wants them to focus on one game at a time and not on the big picture.
“Culture is what we’re trying to build here,” Burke said. “It starts with just daily habits and behaviors, things like that. Those habits then become character, and we’re trying to do that with these guys. We don’t want them to just be skilled basketball players. We want them to be in the community and school. It’s making sure that we’re making good habits and everything in between.”
Burke brings experience from the high school and college levels. He was an assistant at VASJ and The College of Wooster.
While he is focusing on the building blocks at Richmond Heights, several players can be key factors early in the season. It starts at point guard with sophomore Deron Barber.
The brother of De’Erick, who is the state’s all-time assists leader, takes over the control of the offense and shares the same intensity as his older brother.
Burke said Barber’s guard play, along with Jamir Jolley and Hayden Smith, will continue the trend of strong guard play.
Richmond Heights also brings some size, highlighted by forwards Anthony Hammett (6-foot-1) and Lucas Perillo (6-foot-5). The Spartans feature five players listed over 6-foot on the roster.
That blend of style helps with Burke’s plan of being able to work inside out, to help the younger guards gain experience.
“I’m very confident in our guys going to play,” Burke said. “Guys are going to drive the ball, go up for each other, whether it’s that quick snap decision on the perimeter or being able to drive and attack. They can dump it off, kick it out, we can work the perimeter. I’m confident in our play, it’s just trying to find that balance of being a group.”
The Spartans will be challenged with a bevy of difficult games.
Their schedule features contests against Lutheran West, Brush, Andrews Osborne, Louisville, Cornerstone Christian, Akron Hoban, Maple Heights and Hoover. The Spartans will need to find confidence early if they hope to continue their postseason success.
Burke said there will be a learning curve for the team, and the record may not reflect their talent. But it’s going to get them ready to contend with the teams in the D-VI postseason.
With teams including Andrews Osborne, Kirtland, Warren JFK and Independence looming large for the postseason, he knows the schedule will have them tuned up.
“We aren’t even thinking of expectations,” Burke said. “It’s more how good can they be or are they going to progress like we think they are. I’m just trying to get these guys to focus on what we’re doing for that day. The expectations go back to the culture and habits that we’re trying to build. If we do those things, if we play hard, listen to the coaches and put our best foot forward, then I’m sure the talent will shine.”
The Spartans begin the season Nov. 29 against Hawken at the Great Lakes Classic.