In Second Round Of TBL Playoffs, Owensboro Thoroughbreds Buckle-Up For An Adventurous Postseason Ride Against Kokomo BobKats
Thanks to some “R and R” and a team bonding excursion last week, the Thoroughbreds aim to make a big splash in Game 1 of the Lower Midwest Division Finals
Owensboro, Kentucky – What an unforgettable and wild ride it has been this 2022 season in The Basketball League for the Owensboro Thoroughbreds.
And they are still going.
After a flurry of highly contested games packed in to start the TBL regular season since back in early March, Owensboro has prepared for the second round of the playoffs by getting in some much needed “R and R” during a bye week that included a team building outing to the Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana complete with theme rides and water slides. Not a bad way to spend the day after a whirlwind three-month stretch of weekly practice sessions and nail biting games in the Lower Midwest Division where Owensboro won the division with a 17-7 record. Now that Owensboro is primed for a quarterfinals match-up against the Kokomo BobKats and the tip-off of Game 1 on Thursday at Kokomo Memorial Gymnasium, the Thoroughbreds are looking to make a whole new splash and lasting memories with a shot at advancing to the Midwest Conference Finals against the winner of Toledo Glass City and the Jamestown Jackals in the Upper Midwest Division Finals.
Never one to look past an opponent, Owensboro Head Coach and General Manager Mark Anderson shared his thoughts on facing off against a very tough Kokomo team, the on-court maturation of guard Jaiveon Eaves, and why coming together away from the game is so important to the success of a team after everything the Thoroughbreds have experienced this season.
How was last week and getting time away before starting to prepare for the second round against Kokomo?
We had a few days off after the Kokomo game back on May 27th. We came back, practiced Tuesday and Wednesday, then went to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana last Thursday. It was really the first time outside of a game or community event that wasn’t basketball related. Brad Winter – our team chaplain and recreational coordinator at First Baptist Church where we practice – was gracious and gave the tickets for anyone on the team that wanted to go. He also came along with his wife. The bye week last week was also good in that we had some injuries towards the end of the season which players were able to heal and get ready for the games.
How important for either team morale or team chemistry is being able to bond away from the game like this?
It’s very important I believe for team morale, especially if there are any injuries or the team isn’t playing well it’s a way to relax and get your mind cleared. I know going on the roller coasters cleared my mind (laughs). I enjoy seeing the players smile and being around each other away from the court. It’s a short season with 24 games but it’s packed into 13 weeks so having breaks here and there is good for morale but it can help chemistry too!
As a Coach, is there ever a concern about too much time off for a team? Does it halt any momentum from carrying over from the regular season…or is the break right on time as you guys went 1-3 down the stretch to close out the regular season?
It’s definitely a concern with this much time off as we try to keep the players focused. We try to change up things like practice times, what we do in practice, and activities outside of basketball. A couple things that factored into the 1-3 record closing out the regular season were locking up the bye and injuries with several players missing games. Up to that point we had only one missed game due to injury. However, still not an excuse to play poorly in stretches which we did.
How close did you watch the Kokomo and Lebanon series? What are your thoughts on those two organizations and how that match-up played out?
Both Kokomo and Lebanon run great organizations and I credit Mark Jansen (KOK) and Preston Myers (LEB) with creating a great atmosphere around their organizations. On the court, Cliff Levingston and Brian Rowsom bring their NBA knowledge and background to the series so it was very good. I have a good relationship with Cliff as we talk throughout the season and I can see it developing with Brian also as we get to know each other. We have great coaches in this division (Lower and Upper Midwest) that’s why teams have to bring it each night you play! That series was a battle and we’ll be ready.
Over the course of the season you've had Darhius Nunn emerge as a team leader and leading scorer for the team, but we've also seen Jaiveon Eaves shine as well. What do you think of his maturation this season and what does he bring to the floor for the postseason?
Both are returning players and we believe that has been instrumental in our success and theirs. Jaiveon has let the game come to him and takes over at different times in the games.
He’s becoming an all-around player and we believe his time in the Detroit Pistons NBA G-League training camp was very beneficial because he saw what it takes to make it there and what he needs to improve upon. Last year coming off the bench he was a scorer (20 points a game) and this season he’s been a more complete basketball player. His court vision is what I’ve noticed and getting others involved. We believe that’s where his maturation will be beneficial in the playoffs.
The Around The Basketball League newsletter brings you the latest news, updates, insight, and interviews on the TBL. Follow ATBL on Twitter.
Wendell Maxey has covered and written about professional basketball and sports for 19 years including eight years reporting on the NBA in New York and Portland where his work appeared on ESPN.com, NBA.com, USA Today, FOX Sports, YAHOO Sports!, SLAM Magazine, and The Oregonian among other publications and outlets. Connect with him on Twitter and LinkedIn or read through his archive on Linktree.