BEAR LAKE – After its varsity program was absent from the 2020 season, Bear Lake boys basketball returned this winter alongside former Lakers standout Christian Novak, who now leads his alma mater.
Through two games featuring back-to-back losses against Mason County Eastern (76-28), and Mesick (62-15), the Lakers are focused on learning and growing as a group.
"It's all about building because a lot of these kids haven't played a man-to-man defense," said Novak. "Tuesday, we struggled, and our effort was lacking, but tonight I feel like the effort was there. It was like night and day, and that's what I preach. All I wanted to see today was them hustling."
Before the season, Novak characterized his philosophies, which involved having an immense work ethic. So far, he feels the players are embracing his system, but it's an ongoing process, considering most of the team didn't play the previous year.
"I missed a week of practice with COVID-19, but the other times I was there, we weren't up to par with hustling in our man-to-man," Novak said. "Though yesterday we had a great practice, and it set the tone. Like I said, tonight, all I was asking for was to give effort, and they did it. They answered the call.
"My seniors didn't compete last year, so I kind of count them as juniors, but they should still have that extra experience, but it's definitely something we need to work on."
Even so, Novak had a litany of things to correct after losing to the Bulldogs, specifically on offense.
"Based off of tonight, we have to work on setting things up better and executing," said Novak. "We knew they were going to come in here and play tough defense, but clearly, we'll be touching on that in practice ... once again, it's just learning and doing the little things."
As Bear Lake prepares for a matchup against Marion on Monday, their new coach relayed a positive message in the locker room despite the slow start.
"I told them I was proud of them," he said. "At the end of the day, I don't care if we win or lose by 40-points because it's all about effort. These young men are setting the tone for this program going forward. So I said, the more you hustle, the more you are going to be in games when you shouldn't be. And then when your offense is flowing, and you are hustling, then you win games you shouldn't, or you're just winning games in general."
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December 17, 2021 at 10:36AM
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Bear Lake drops first two games, 'building' for the future - Manistee News Advocate
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