By John Loop
Sports Writer
Senior three-point specialist Calvin Michaelis hits another three pointer in the face of the Allen Eagles’ defense. Michaelis would finish 4-of-4 from downtown that November night en route to a 61-41 blowout win.
Michaelis who is currently second on the team in three-point percentage (48%), trailing only junior point guard Landon Goesling (49%), has a sweet stroke that makes leaving him open beyond the arc very dangerous.
“[Other teams] may know that I can shoot threes, but overall they will be playing defense to stop the three point shot more than a drive,” Michaelis said.
But, Michaelis admits, he wasn’t always burying a triple from outside during his high school career.
“I started off as a freshman and I was primarily a post,” Michaelis said. “Then sophomore year, I kind of started to make the transition [to being a perimeter player]. Junior year, I made varsity strictly because of my [outside] shooting.”
Obviously, becoming “Mr. Automatic” from long distance was not easy for Michaelis to attain. A heavy practice regimen has helped the sharpshooter maintain a steady shooting clip from downtown.
“A lot of us, I think, would get into the gym any Saturday we can and start playing, you know, putting up shots,” Michaelis said. “Whenever I get into the gym, I like to focus mainly on my shot.”
Perimeter shooting has surprised many as a strength of this year’s Cowboy team. Michaelis says he has seen steady improvement from this group compared to the 2011 team.
“I think we got a lot of guys who are particularly strong in their shot,” Michaelis said. “Last year, we had a lot of size in [2012 grads] Jett [Raines] and Austin [Mankin], and Austin was an excellent three-point shooter. This year I just see more shooters that have worked on their shot over the years. In that way, we have improved our three-point shooting, just by having more shooters.”
To win games, sometimes someone has to drain the long distance shot that ultimately fells the opposing team. Hopefully, Michaelis and the Cowboys will continue to use the perimeter shot in their efforts to close down games.
Season heats up with District 5-5A play starting Friday night
This Friday the Coppell Cowboy Basketball team will begin district play as they take on Marcus high school. The Marcus squad is currently struggling with a record of 5-10 so the 11-9 Cowboys should not have too big of a problem in their first district game.
Coppell’s district consists of six teams including the Cowboys. The boys’ biggest challenges will be Flower Mound who currently has a record of 19-6 and Hebron who has maintained a perfect record of 16-0. District play will be tough, however the boys seem to be heating up and will no doubt produce some great match ups.
Games will continue to be played on Tuesdays and Fridays as district play takes place and the boys will play nine games before Flower Mound hosts the district tournament where Coach Pehl and the young team will be able to really prove themselves. Included below are the current records of each team the Cowboys will be facing during district play.
Lewisville: 13-8
Hebron: 16-0
Flower Mound: 19-6
Marcus: 5-10
-Tanner McCord
Notebook Schedule:
Monday: Boys Basketball
Tuesday: Girls Basketball
Wednesday: Hockey
Thursday: Wrestling
Friday: Swimming
