Eisenhower Boys Basketball looks to bounce back as new season begins

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - High school basketball is back in Central Illinois next week.

Eisenhower's boys basketball team is looking to bounce back after a tough season a year ago. This year, the team is littered with guard play.

"We have quite a few guards that can handle the ball and shoot the ball," said Head Coach Rodney Walker. "We haven't had that luxury probably since I got here in the beginning, probably about 8 years ago. So, it'll be refreshing to look down the bench and actually make some quality subs."

While the Panthers have a plethora of ball handlers they can call upon, that's not the case in the paint.

"They're probably stronger than us," Sophomore guard Tishawn Clemmons said. "But since we work, we're faster than them, so it's not a big difference. We can just blow right past them and score the ball."

Eisenhower wants to get out and run and play tight defense this season.

"Our defense got much better." Garryon Henderson, a Sophomore guard continued, saying, "All we do is run down the court and play defense."

Coach Walker added, "Speed kills with this group. Speed kills. Offense and defense. If we don't use our speed we're dead."

Eisenhower will face Manual to open up their season next week.