Inside the Program: 2018 Alpharetta Raiders
By: Kris Watkins Follow @KrisWatkinsPSB
Expectations are high for this year’s Alpharetta Raiders basketball team and we were able to catch up with Head Coach Eric Blair to discuss this upcoming season.
Now that you are heading into your second year as the Head of the Alpharetta Raider program what was your focus this past summer and this current preseason?
Our focus has consisted of two things.
1. Continuing to build the relationships, really trying to build a culture of family and positivety.
2. Individual Development – We have spent most of our time on becoming better ballhandlers, shooters, and finishers.
One thing I have noticed from social media is the emphasis you put on the younger kids in your community whether it is sending your team to a feeder middle/elementary school to spend time with students or your summer youth camp. Can you tell us a bit about why this is such a big emphasis?
I just feel like it starts with the younger kids in our district. I try to create an environment that they want to be a part of. We just finished Jr. Raider try-outs and I believe the work we have put in through our Youth Camps and trying to stay connected to the middle schools and elementary schools is paying off. I love working / running camps. As long as I’m the head coach, we will always put an emphasis on working with our feeder kids during the summer. I talk a lot about staying connected and really reducing the separation between the Jr program and the high school program.
Describe this year’s schedule
We have 9 teams in our region, therefore it limits the number of non-region games we get to play. We are headed back to Roswell for their Thanksgiving Tournament. I think Coach Phillips has put together a real competitive event and we are excited because it’s close to home and quality basketball. We are going to Sequoyah for a tournament in late December. Again, a quality event that is close to home and will test us heading into the second ½ of our region schedule. We also have a home and home with Milton and will play West Forsyth at home. Milton is a rivalry game and West Forsyth is coached by Frederick Hurt, former head coach at Alpharetta and a good friend of mine. I am real excited about our schedule.
You have a very talented group of players coming back this year who are some players to watch
We have a good group that went through the process with me last year and they are excited about the work we have put in and the time we have spent together off the court. Brandon Barron and Kalik Brooks will lead us on the perimeter, while Kyle Hulsman and Josh Spencer will handle the post. All 4 have worked hard on their game and I’m excited to see how the hard work translates come November. We also have a great group of senior roll players and I’m super excited about our 9th grade class.
What former Raiders are currently playing in college?
Ryan Jenei is beginning his freshmen season at Olgethorpe. We are excited to support him and watch his journey this season. Ryan was huge was us this summer. He continued to work out with the guys and provide leadership up until the day he left for Olgethorpe.
Devontae Cacok is entering his senior year at UNCW. I did not get to coach him, but he works out with our guys when he is in town and is a Raider for life. He is also a monster on the court and hopefully will make an NBA roster after completing his senior season.