Loggers' coach teaching more than basketball
<p>Sophomore Erik Lauer under the basket fourth quarter vs. Flathead.</p>
Libby’s head basketball coach Josh Bean is focused on teaching his players more than basketball this year. He wants to instill in them core values that will serve as a model to other students, teams and coaches.
“We have five core covenants: confidence, unity, desire, integrity and mental toughness,” said Bean. “Those are things that we’re going to display when people watch us practice, when they watch us play, and they’ll know that we’re all about those things. It’s not a perfect thing, but we’re working on it. It’s not just a kids’ thing. It’s a coaches’ thing, too.”
Bean said he hopes these virtues will make the Loggers better people as well as better players. They are an essential part of their strategy in the upcoming conference.
Bean hasn’t yet set the team’s starting lineup, which was decimated by graduations, but he has three players he believes will help pick up the slack left by former starters in Jonny Cielak, Erik Lauer and Zander Petersen.
According to Bean, Cielak will fill the leadership role left behind by former starter Collin Johnson. Cielak is the team’s point guard, who Bean said he considers the foreman and source of morale for the team.
“The ball will be in his hands most of the time,” said Bean. “He’s done a really good job so far helping everybody along, talking to people and encouraging them. He’s going to be the guy that, when things aren’t going so well, will rally the troops and get things moving. He’s shown signs of that in practice.”
Lauer, he said, will also play a critical role in the post and be one of the team’s leaders along with Petersen, who started half of last year until he was injured.
Other than the skilled upperclassmen, Bean expressed confidence in a strong contingent of players who have all the motivation they need to do well in the coming season.
“These kids are hungry,” said Bean. “They want to win. Our wins in basketball have been few and far between, and they’re working hard right now. I can see it.”
Bean said Bigfork is the conference team to beat this year. The Vikings reached the state semifinals last year after taking the championship two years ago.
In addition, Bean said the key to the challenge will be confidence in their teammates and their skills.
The Loggers tip off the season Friday, Dec. 11 at a round robin tournament in Missoula.