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Before Saginaw Boswell coach Kenny Price took the boys' basketball job he did some research on the program.
He knew there was talent from some of the previous success, but the Pioneers had struggled for past two seasons. The team made the 2010-11 playoffs despite going just 12-18, but last year's team didn't win 10 games.
Price has helped resurrect the Pioneers who are currently 16-8 overall and 7-3 in District 6-4A.
“It’s just about trying to establish a culture and philosophy or work ethic, which was work hard and no days off” Price said. “They want to be good and see what success is like. Being a player and coach and going through those situations yourself, you want to instill that in your team.”
Two of Boswell's three district losses have come to first-place Fort Worth Dunbar and the other was to second-place Fort Worth Polytechnic. Boswell beat Poly by 18 the first time before losing by eight last week.
“Our league is tough and I think it has been overlooked,” said Price, who spent the past four seasons at the assistant at Justin Northwest. “You start looking at it as this team is down and this team is down, but the coaching is good and the effort is great. There aren’t any cake walks on any given day the last place team in this district can beat you.”
Dedrick Berry who is averaging 15 points per game along with Cedrine Ouma, the team’s defensive specialist returned this season. They have jelled with move in Marquieth Russell a 6-foot-8 junior who's averaging 9.8 points and 15 rebounds per game and Zeke Horton (8 ppg) who can play the 1, 2, or 3 positions to give the team a balanced attack.
“I told the guys that each night it was going to be someone else stepping up and leading us,” Price said. “Last year Dedrick would have had 22 a game and Ouma 18, but that’s part of the process of making that mentality shift of it doesn’t matter who scores as long as we win. We’ve taken what each is good and given them skill sets.”
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