Motivators come in all sorts of shapes and sizes whether they’re short term or long term, big or small and there are many different way to push a team towards success.

For head coach Aaron Mager and the ADM boys basketball team, they need not look high and low to find their motivation for the new season. All they need to do is look back to their first round playoff loss last season as the teams great motivator in 2016-2017.

The Tigers came into last year’s home playoff game on the heels of a 4-1 streak from their past 5 games and averaging 66 points per game within that time frame. Unfortunately, the returning Tigers from last season will still have the sour taste in their mouth, including head coach Aaron Mager who spoke with Raccoon Valley Radio about last year and it’s unfortunate ending for ADM. Coach Mager told Raccoon Valley Radio how important it is to reflect about last season even from a coaching perspective.

“I think it’s important that we all reflect after a season from a coaching perspective what can we do as a staff differently. Were there trends that made us to predictable or execution that wasn’t there so kinda analyzing myself first and foremost,” stated coach Mager.

In attempt to bring on more unpredictability for his Tiger team, coach Mager told Raccoon Valley Radio he will be looking to utilize some variation on the defensive side of the ball.

“We’re predominantly a man to man team and I don’t think we’re going to go away from that but I do think we need to throw a few more curve balls at people, maybe do a little more zone work here and there; try and catch people out of rhythm. That might help our defensive mentality too and that’s the area where I think collectively we can do a better job of getting more stops, being more consistent on the defensive end which will feed into our offense where we’re already pretty strong so kinda play to our strengths a little more that way,” explained coach Mager.

Coach Mager and his Tiger squad have until next Monday to implement any changes for the start of the season as they will take part in the annual Saydel Jamboree contest which begins at 6:00 pm.