Fairfield Prep Basketball Looking For More Toughness

New Fairfield Prep basketball coach Leo Redgate isssued an early challenge to his team. In his words, you're either on the bus or you're off the bus.

The players jumped aboard, buying into his rigorous offseason program that placed a heavy emphasis on conditioning and toughness. They met three times a week in an effort to get as physically strong and as well-conditioned as possible.

"We've been working a lot more in the offseason with our strength and conditioning," said 5-9 guard Robbie Bier, one of the team's two senior captains. "It'll pay off - win us some extra games."

Succeeding Rich Lee, who was dismissed in the summer, Redgate has inherited a progam that is coming off back-to-back losing campaigns. The Jesuits were 9-12 last season, falling to Sacred Heart 69-61 in the first round of the CIAC Class LL state tournament.

Fairfield Prep's goal is to finish above .500, but also to bring some more toughness back into the program.

"In order to win the tough games that you might even be out-manned in, you need to get a certain toughness to you," Redgate said. "And I don't think you can be mentally tough until you are physically tough."

Bier and 6-7 senior forward Matt Daley - the Jesuits' other captain - will be the team leaders. Completing the starting unit are 6-5 senior forward Alex Heiman, 6-4 junior guard Terry Tarpey and 6-foot senior guard Kevin Potter, although Heiman and Potter have no varsity experience.

Senior guard Justin Thompson, sophomore swingman Tim Butala and junior forward Ben Sullivan will be the firt players offthe bench.

"We're trying to set the bar higher as far as Prep basketball goes," Daley said. "(It was) a little lacking in the past.We're trying to make it a more serious program."

Redgate has been impressed by the work ethic shown in the fall and during the preseason. He admits that he has been demanding in trying to get the most out of his troops.

"I'm very demanding," he said. "I expect things to be done a certain way, but I'm also very competitive. I'm not here to punish the players. I'm hopefully here to motivate them and show them discipline and focus; and by challenging them, that's the only way this program is going to be good."

One thing Redgate is definitely looking for is an increase in production. Last season, Prep played games in the 40s and 50s.

The new coach would like to see his club score in the 60s. With that thought in mind, Redgate said the Jesuits will play more off an up-tempo, transition-type game this season

Of course to do that, they will need players who are in top shape. Hence, the preseason conditioning.

Redgate isn't just looking for great basketball players. He is looking for good athletes who can be molded into great basketball players.

"We have a lot of athletic, quick guards, so we can use them to our advantage with our speed and strength," Bier said.

The best way, of course, to increase the tempo is through pressure defense, and that is exactly what Redgate plans.

"Sometimes, the best way to score in the 60s is to play incredible defense," he said. "We've always believed defense wins championships. The goal is not only to score in the 60s, but to hold the opposition to 40, 50."

After winning just 15 games the last two seasons, the Jesuits are hungry to get the program back on track.

"In years' past, we've settled," Daley said. "We're not going to settle this year. We're looking to win every game and nothing less is the goal."

A Fairfield Prep alumnus, Redgate spent the previous six years as Lee's assistant, serving as the Jesuits' JV coach lastseason. He also has coached the sport for 20 years at the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club in Southport.

Lee's dismissal was not universally supported in the school community with some suggesting Redgate only got the job because he is a Prep graduate. However, Redgate says he never asked for it

"If you told me seven years ago I would have been the head coach at Prep, I would have laughed at you," he said.

All that's left now is to rev up that bus. The Jesuits open their season on  Wednesday at Cheshire.