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By KIM NORTH
BRIDGEPORT -- The transition period continues for the Bridgeport boys' basketball team under the watch of veteran coach Donnie Cash. The Bulldogs have won only seven games since losing a huge graduation class in 2015-16.
"We want to be better today than we were yesterday. That's the motto were using," Cash, who is entering his 14th year, said. "We must stay hungry. If we have a good day at practice, we need to put our hard hat back on and keep working. We can't become complacent at all."
Bridgeport has seven returning lettermen from a 5-17 squad.
"The kids are working hard and I've liked what I've seen so far in practices and scrimmages," he said. "I thought we really came together during the summer. I know that was then and this is now, but we made strides in the summertime and we're continuing to make strides. We just need to keep working hard and have the desire to get better every day. We can't become complacent.
"We've had some good scrimmages so far, We just want to keep building blocks to get better every day and improve upon aspects where we were weak in last year."
The returnees include the Doyle twins, Macrea and Mannix, John Simmons, C.J. Justice, Trevonn Ray and John Stark. Jeremiah Booker returns to the team after not playing last season. The Doyles and Justice all played at St. John Central as freshmen and sophomores before transferring last year.
Macrea Doyle is a 6-foot senior that will serve as a co-captain.
"He has improved his game a lot since last season," Cash said. "I've been impressed with what I've seen from him. He worked hard all summer and it has showed. He's very unselfish and we're expecting him to carry some of the scoring load this year. He is truly a team player and will do anything to help the team. I'm expecting big things from him."
Mannix Doyle is a 5-10 senior that is the other co-captain.
"He is our returning point guard, but he can also play off the ball. He also handles the ball really well and creates on offense," Cash noted. "He started every game for us last year and this year we are looking for him to be our shutdown defender. We're also looking for a lot of leadership from him this season, and so far he's delivered."
Simmons is a 6-foot senior who will be counted on for some scoring and inside play.
"He is more of a spot-up shooter, but we're working with him on expanding his game," Cash said. "We're also working with him on the defensive end. He's one of those kids that come every day to practice and works hard."
Justice is a 6-1 senior that will play on the inside.
"He has a chance to earn a starting spot in the middle, but that will be up to him. He needs to work on his inside game, but he is a big body that will bang around in there."
Ray is a 5-8 junior that Cash is expecting big things from this winter.
Stark is a 6-foot junior that lettered as a sophomore.
Booker is a 5-9 senior that is coming off a superb football campaign that saw him lead the Ohio Valley in pass receptions.
"He is one of the better athletes in the school," Cash said. "We need him to step back into the game and help us on both ends of the floor."
Another senior, 6-1 Anthony Allen, has been slowed by a hand injury sustained prior to the football season.
Kortez Green, a 5-9 junior, and P.J. Sauvageot, a 5-8 sophomore, will dress for varsity action.
Jim "Catfish" Murad returns as Cash's top assistant and jayvee coach.