“Something to Prove” – Ernest Collins, Voyageurs Men’s Basketball Coach

The Rainy River Voyageurs basketball team is gearing up for their first scrimmages of the preseason, which will take place on Saturday, October 12th. So we decided to pay a visit and talk to new Head Coach Ernest Collins about the team and how it’s looking so far.

He was then asked about the primary focus in this preseason, and how he’s been preparing the team for what is a new era of Rainy River Basketball.

In our last interview with Coach Collins, he told us about his coaching philosophy, and we asked him if the players were buying into that philosophy.

Coach Collins is training a very confident squad, and he talked about what could be a hurdle once the team finally gets to step on the court against an opposing school.

So, what’s the team that inspired the type of team he’s hoping to build?

Ernest Collins then talked about the players, and some of the guys standing out.

He was then asked about this Saturday’s Scrimmage, and whether he’ll be using a set starting lineup.

Coach Collins was asked if the confidence of the players is something that he feeds off of, and the same vice versa.

Which means some strong personalities on the team?

Then, he was asked about recruiting and if the recruitment plan was based on preparations for few returners or expectations on numerous returning players.

So what is the slogan for this season?

I then talked to some players that make up the new squad.

The freshmen Chase Schillingford, Austin Howe, and Zayviar Handson were asked what drew them to play at Rainy River.

Then, Srdan Vujinovic was asked what made him want to return for his second season as a Voyageur.

The players were then asked what they were looking forward to on this new season, and new era.

So what are they thinking will be some of the keys to succeeding this year?

They were then asked what they intended on working on on a personal level.

Then what are the strengths these players bring to the squad?

Zay and Srdan were asked what they will expect to see from these conference teams.

They were then asked if they felt any pressure following the previous season where the team had found success that led them to Nationals.

Of course, we had to check in on the players who came from the south and see how they were dealing with the Minnesota weather.

This is a talented squad being brought in with “Something to prove” as Coach Collins had said earlier, and the players had some shoutouts to give to friends and family (and one celebrity).

The Voyageurs Men’s Basketball team begins their regular season on November 8th, but will be on the court early for a scrimmage on October 12th.