Satellite High boys basketball coach Paul Creatura has been hoping for an aggressive, hard-working team, and so far has gotten what he wished for.
“We’ve got a couple of spots up for grabs,” Creatura said as the season-opener approached. “We are competing every day in practice. I believe the proof is in the pudding.”
The Scorps lost quite a bit of offense from a year ago, and are young at the guard position. They are relying on an experienced coaching staff to guide them into a mature team.
“Paul is so unselfish with his time and resources,’’ said assistant coach Jim Baglin, who won state titles in 2000 and 2010 while running up a 708-215 record and being named to the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
After two years at Merritt Island, Baglin retired to Satellite Beach in 2018 with his wife, Cathi.
He is an added bonus to the team.
“I just did not want to be a head coach anymore; 35 years was enough,” Baglin said. “But Paul asked me if I would help him and I said I’d be glad to. I haven’t been without basketball a single winter since I was 10 years old.
“It was very nice of Paul to ask me,” he added. “We work well together and I really like the kids. I kind of go by the slogan ‘tomorrow belongs to no one.’”
Both of the coaches see a lot of potential in this group of players.
Noah Painter is shooting guard and a potential top scorer. “Having two inputs is great,’’ Painter said of Baglin. “He’s great to have around. I think we’ll be better.”
Senior point guard Daniel Weeks also believes having Creatura and the added experience of Baglin is beneficial. “Actually, it’s really nice,’’ Weeks said. “(Biglin) has so much experience. There’s a lot of potential. The main thing we need to work on is our defense.’’
Harvey Harris is the center, and at 6-foot-5 has already gotten interest from Florida Gulf Coast. He played in Cocoa but moved in search of a new environment. “He’s a great coach, I love him,’’ Harris said of Baglin. “He likes to joke around. I think I’ve made great progress since I first started playing.’’
Senior Tommy Lacko has shown promise at forward. “I knew Tommy was a very good player,’’ Creatura said. “Every week, he’s gotten better and better.”
Sophomores Oliver Pasque and Brayden Bell will both be key guards. Gunner Greenwald is a college football tight end recruit who was battling a leg injury entering the season, but has potential.
“Coachable,” Creatura said of Greenwald. “You tell him what you need and in practice he turns around and does what you were talking about.”
Likewise, Mack Holland had been nursing a knee problem but has a lot of potential.
“We should be fine if things get going our way,” Creatura said.
The Scorpions entered the December holiday break with a 3-5 record.
