Even as we are in the midst of the Fall sports seasons, anticipation is already building for the 2015-16 editions of the Men’s and Women’s Lutheran East Falcons basketball teams.
The Lutheran East Men's Basketball Program had a tremendous season in 2014-15, finishing with a 14-9 record. Led by a young core of student-athletes, the Falcons have high expectations in looking ahead to this upcoming season. Last season the Falcons were led by 1st year head coach Anthony Jones. Coach Jones formerly served as the Associate Head Coach at Euclid High School and attributes much of his coaching style to former Duke University assistant basketball coach Pete Gaudet and University of Tennessee Chattanooga assistant coach John McCray. Coach Jones’ staff includes Sam and Jon Liggins, who led the Lutheran East basketball program to their first state championship in 2005. Along with assistant coaches Robert Combs & Johnny Faddoul, Coach Jones and both Sam and Jon Liggins are committed to returning Lutheran East basketball to contention for a state basketball championship.
The 2014-15 team was led by three starting freshmen (Alex Heath, Keandre Graves, Derrick Veasley) and one sophomore transfer (Tyler Powell). In just one season Lutheran East managed to bring home not only 14 wins, but also a first place finish at the Open Door Holiday Classic and the number four seed for the state tournament playoffs- giving them the chance to host the first round game. Coach Jones enthusiastically states, "We have one goal: a state championship. We have all the pieces necessary to do that: talented youth, drive, and a coaching staff that has played not only on the high school stage, but also professionally. I’m hungry to continue putting together the pieces to make a state championship a reality. The young men have their sights set on next season and have already begun preparation for the long road to state.”
The Lady Falcons basketball team also had a huge turn-around season this past year. The Lady Falcons significantly improved their victory total, achieving a 13-10 record. Additionally, the team finished in the top 3 in conference, as well as earned the opportunity to host their first round playoff game with a home court advantage for the first time in 5 years.
The Lutheran East girls were able to boast quite a few honors this past year, including a first place finish in the Open Door Holiday Classic, MVP of the Holiday Classic (Darjaney Edwards), as well as one first team and two second team all-conference selection honors for junior Darjaney Edwards, junior Jazmyne Darby, and senior Jeri Pollard. Head Coach Christy Spiegel asserted, "The girls are becoming successful because they are starting to understand how significantly hard work, commitment, and mental toughness can change an outcome in a short amount of time.”
The team, looking to build on last year’s success, is greatly looking forward to the beginning of this upcoming season.