Ask the Coach: Boys hardwood preview with Coach Gripp

Tyrone Basketball is back and ready to take on the Mountain League

Carly Crofcheck

Senior Blake Brooks (foreground) and Junior Anthony Politza (background) will take the court for the Eagles this season.

The 2014-15 varsity basketball season is under way and practice has already begun.

Eagle Eye reporter Ryan Stringer got a chance to have an interview with Tyrone Head Basketball coach George Gripp.

Eagle Eye: You lost a lot of senior leadership last year in Dalton McKeehen, Brandon Gripp, Jordan Miller and Erik Wagner.  Do you have any uneasy feelings about the upcoming season?

Coach Gripp: No, I feel good about the guys coming back. They have played together since they were in grade school.

EE: When’s the first game of the season?

CG: Friday December 5th home against Bellwood.

EE: How is the outcome of last year’s early exit from the post season going to effect the upcoming season?

CG: I think it motivated us this past off season.

EE: What is the team going to have to prepare for to succeed in the upcoming season?

CG: Each team is going to put up new challenges for us this season.

EE: What team posts the biggest threat to the team this upcoming season?

CG: Bellwood.  Nathan Davis will be a premier scorer for them this season. And of course the Holiday tournament with Chestnut Ridge and Penn Cambria.

EE: Do you have any goals for the upcoming season?

CG: We want to win the Mountain League, win Districts and advance as far as we can in play-offs.

EE: What is going to be the biggest difference for this season compared to last.

CG: Replacing the leadership our seniors had last year.

EE: how many years have you been the head basketball coach here at Tyrone?

CG: This will be my Ninth Year.