Mellies eager to lead alma mater

Andrew Mellies is fired up about his first head coaching position.

The fact it comes at his alma mater makes things even more special.

Mellies, a 2003 Eagle Ridge Christian graduate and a former Eagles player, takes over the school's boys program.

"I'm pretty excited, but nervous too," said Mellies, who earlier this year graduated from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla.

The Eagles were solid last season, going 14-11, and Mellies believes they again can fashion a strong record as long as they focus on team play.

"I think we can be pretty good," he said. "I'm really trying to change the mindset from individual players to playing as a team, winning as five players on the floor, more fundamental basketball.

"I'm more of a defensive coach than an offensive coach. We'll focus on defense a lot."

Eagle Ridge returns three of its top scorers from last season in 5-foot-9 senior guard Ben Douglass, 6-0 senior forward Daniel Cohen and 5-10 junior guard Josh Wiseman.

Douglass averaged 18 points per game a year ago, followed by Wiseman at 13 and Cohen at 10.

Another player back with starting experience is 5-11 senior forward Scott Edgar.

Also returning, after splitting time between the varsity and JV last season, are 6-0 sophomore guard Sam Davis, 5-11 sophomore guard Stephen Cohen and 5-9 freshman guard Josh Carbaugh.

Other players battling for court time will be 6-1 senior forward Sam Riehn, 5-10 sophomore forward Michael Evans, 5-8 sophomore guard Ethan Grant and two seventh-graders, 5-3 guard Aaron Margrabe and 5-10 forward Eric Huebel.

"Being a smaller school, we're emphasizing family," Mellies said.