The Bulldogs are welcoming some promising talent onto the basketball court this coming season. The varsity basketball team got some greetings from the Bridgeport Exempted Village School District board of education Oct. 16.
Superintendent Brent Ripley congratulated sophomore Jaleel Vincent who recently attended the 270 Hoops Ohio Prospect Camp with non-upperclassmen from across the state. Vincent said during the Columbus event he did his best playing with top student athletes.
Ripley said last year the district developed a program to help student athletes by bringing aboard volunteer, Marcus Vincent.
“I want to thank you. You’ve put a lot of time into helping any child wanting to improve their basketball skillset,” Ripley said.
Ripley congratulated the student athletes on their determination. He said they would do the district proud.
“Thank you for buying in,” he said. He also said teamwork and encouraging one another would be a key to success.
He challenged them to raise enthusiasm among younger students.
“You’re also bringing up the next generation,” he said, adding the team’s goal is to keep improving, get some victories and continue to build pride to the program.
“There’s some good years ahead. Keep working hard and challenging one another,” Ripley said.
Head Basketball Coach Donnie Cash said the team boasted many newer high school students, freshmen and sophomores.
“Our roster will be mostly underclassmen heavy, but we do have some upperclassmen that are participating in football,” he said, adding the students have formed a strong bond. “Most of them have been around each other, they live by each other.”
Afterward, Cash said the student athletes have demonstrated a commitment to excellence during their training.
“They’ve been working mostly all of July,” he said. “After Labor Day when we were allowed to open back up, they’ve been working since 6 a.m. and after school on their skills. Just putting the time and effort in to make themselves better.”
He said the athletes were promising, and their hard work would pay off.
“We’re going to take it day-by-day and try to build a good foundation when practice starts, build it up and get ready for the regular season,” he said. “It’s just been a good group to be around.”
Their first official practice game is Nov. 1.
“When we get everyone here in November, it’s their turn to show the coaches if they really want to play and earn position on the varsity, junior varsity or even on the freshman team because we have a big number of freshmen.”
Cash said the new multipurpose facility funded by state grant dollars and set to be built in the next two years will provide even more options for the team.
“I think with the new add-on to the school, it will help our programs. Not just in basketball but all sports.”
