The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Railsplitters adjusting to lineup changes
Three starters suspended earlier in the year
By Bruce Mason, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: January 18, 2007
Ypsilanti Lincoln basketball coach Mike Foley is facing quite a challenge.
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After losing three starters earlier this month, his starting lineup has taken quite a hit. And this means that Foley has to throw three new starters out to the wolves.
"Our team went through drastic changes," he said. "Three starters were removed from the team. Their actions violated our Athletic Code of Conduct; therefore, they're removed from the team.
"At Lincoln, we stress student-athlete. There is a certain expectation we have and all athletes must follow it, and if they don't follow it, they don't play for Coach Foley."
Simple as that.
Foley said it involved an incident outside of school, but didn't elaborate on any details. He also wouldn't identify the players removed, but said it was two juniors and one senior.
But the important thing is what Foley is facing for the rest of the season. His coaching abilities will be tested. After all, as he put it, "any time you lose three starters, that's a big part of your team."
The new starters will have to learn how to play in crunch time at the end of the game, among other aspects of being green to the rigors of varsity basketball. Foley said two of his players played junior varsity last season, while another two did not play basketball. So being placed in a different — and more significant — role involves an adjustment period, right?
Maybe not.
Through two games in this new regime, Lincoln has responded admirably. The team has dropped two games — to Adrian Jan. 9 and Saline Jan. 12. But Foley's players look like they'll just get better and better.
"We've seen tremendous improvement in two games," Foley said. "We are getting adjusted to playing without three starters. We have to learn to play to our strengths."
One player with varsity experience is senior varsity point guard Aaron Hawkins. And Foley made sure that Hawkins, who averages 12 points and three assists per game, would get the credit he deserves.
"I've been extremely pleased with the leadership he's provided this year," he said. "Please make a note of that. Marygrove College has offered him an opportunity to continue his basketball after high school at their institution."
So has Hawkins been the lone bright spot, considering the 2-5 record (1-2 SEC) and difficulties that occurred recently?
Nope.
Senior forwards Darius Taylor and Demetrius Graham, along with junior guard Corey Stewart and sophomore Ryan Walton, drew praise from Foley, who he said are doing a "great job."
Walton leads the team in scoring (14 points per game), which includes a couple of 20 point performances, and has also drawn interest from colleges.
"He's stepped up," Foley said about Walton. "We ask a lot of him as a sophomore. He plays a ton of minutes."
Foley said the future is bright with the success of the JV program, and non-experienced varsity players.
"I commend my eight players because they come out and compete every single night," Foley said. "We work extremely hard with what we have."
Bruce Mason is a freelance sportswriter for The Courier. He can be reached through e-mail at editor@ypsilanticourier.com.
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