By Dyer Whitt
Staff Writer

With an impressive lineup consisting of raw talent, colossal size, and experience, the Coppell Cowboys basketball team is in for a successful season. However, somewhat overlooked, is the chemistry and leadership between three senior players.

Seniors Austin Mankin, Warren Oishi, and Jett Raines are all third year letterman seniors on the Coppell High School basketball team. In addition to their talents in the sport, the three have been close friends for almost eight years. This close knit relationship is their main source of strength when it comes to dominating on the court.

For the trio, basketball has always been a favorite past time and hobby. Each of these towering giants started in YMCA leagues and the rest has been history.

Forward Austin Mankin made the tough decision of choosing basketball over soccer in middle school.

“I started playing in second grade and just continually picked the game up until I noticed I actually could take my enjoyment in the sport somewhere,” Mankin said.

The boys all recognized their talent around sixth grade when they joined the Texas Express basketball team. Texas Express is a competitive travel team that allowed the three to prepare for high school level basketball.

“I have been playing ball all my life, but once I started playing on Texas Express I really got to form my own playing style which helped me become the player I am today,” Oishi said.

Oishi, a guard, has been using his skills in passing to help lead the team to victory this year.

In order to compete at the high school level, the boys would need adequate training experience necessary to win in the big leagues.

“Texas Express helped us get a feel for what basketball would be like at CHS. It helped me mentally and growing up in the system prepared me for competition,” Mankin said.

After playing on the team, the boy’s talents in the sport urged them to pursue the game further.

Raines, a power forward and the tallest of the three at a whopping 6-feet, 8-inches, always envisioned himself as a basketball player.

“I always found that basketball was my favorite sport. I like to score the most and have had other interests, but basketball always stuck through,” Raines said.

Besides being on the court together for a countless number of hours a day, the three enjoy spending time outside of the hardwood. In their spare time, the group likes to play video games, make videos and play the usual game of pick up basketball.

Being friends and together for so long, the three have developed a keen bond in which they transfer to the court and their playing abilities.

“Playing with Warren and Jett so much I know where they are on the floor during a fast break type situation.,” Mankin said. “We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and I think that is what allows us to play so well together.”

Head basketball coach Brad Chasteen, describes the triple threat as skilled and experienced and has high prospects for their future in the sport.

“Austin, Warren, and Jett are so dominate on the court because they know eachother so well. They hang out and are good friends. The chemistry between them is pretty special,” Chasteen said.

With a good start to the season, the Cowboys hope to continue their impressive start and 18-4 record. When the losses come however, Mankin, Oishi, and Raines try to go into depth with the mistakes made when a game doesn’t turn in their favor.

“We always try to talk to each other and the team about what we did wrong and what we need to do better. Highlighting our mistakes allows us to work on our weaknesses,” Mankin said.

Along with the pep talks, the three seniors try to give the underclassmen players the support they need to developed into experienced players.

“I have been trying to be a leader for the underclassmen. Being older you have to teach them things like how to play, how to take control and how to play with each other,” Oishi said.

With the season ahead of them, the triple threat hopes that their skill, chemistry, and hard work is enough to put them in position as contenders of a state title.