Old face, new place
Stephen Wilson stood at the free throw line during practice this week, dribbled twice and prepared to shoot.
Before the ball left his hand, his coach stopped him.
Mike Papoccia walked up to his player as a familiar face filling a new role.
Wilson, one of only two seniors on Newman’s boys basketball roster, adjusted his elbow, took the shot and missed.
Both coach and player grinned.
“I am really glad that he’s coaching the team,” Wilson said. “He’s just so good at inspiring the team and he understands what it takes to make the Newman program successful again.”
The rapport with players doesn’t stop with those like Wilson, who just went through a football season with Papoccia at the helm.
Eric Farringer was busy winning a state championship with the cross country team this fall while Wilson, Papoccia and company were battling to the quarterfinals in football.
Farringer, a senior guard who saw time off the bench last season, also is comfortable with the new coach.
“The big thing is that he’s somebody that’s been in the building,” Farringer said. “He hasn’t been my coach, but I’ve always talked to him in the hallways. I’ve also went to his office to talk to him when I’ve needed to.”
“I’ve noticed the difference in practice right away. There’s no down time, no standing around. We’re in constant motion.”
Papoccia takes over for Tony Gillette, who was 51-66 in four seasons. Papoccia coached the Comet girls to supersectional appearances the past two seasons.
The success of the fall sports teams have left the Comets hurrying to catch up to teams that have had an extra week of work.
“We haven’t a lot practices,” Farringer said. “But we’ve played together a lot in the past when we were on the sophomore team together.”
“It’s just taking a little time to get used to a new offense and running new plays.”
Papoccia is installing a motion offense that will capitalize on the Comets abilities.
“Our strength is our athleticism,” Wilson said. “We’re pretty quick and have decent size. This offense will let us use that.”
