Lions Seniors Leaving Quite a Legacy in the Gym
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Lions Seniors Leaving Quite a Legacy in the Gym -
The seniors on the Fayetteville basketball team Wednesday at practice, from left to right: Chance Konvicka, Luke Korenek, Easton Jaeger, Brody Dooley and, inset, Lawson Fritsch (who was on a track recruiting visit to McNeese State). Photo by Jeff Wick
Last year the Fayetteville Lions made it to the state basketball semifinals for the first time in 81 years.
This year’s Lions are in the midst of a 17-game win streak and one win away from getting back to the state semifinals.
The five seniors on this year’s team (Lawson Fritsch, Chance Konvicka, Luke Korenek, Easton Jaeger and Brody Dooley) have been there every step of the way.
“When I came here four years ago they were my first group of freshmen,” said Fay-etteville head basketball coach Jake Diggs. “It’s been cool to be able to grow in the program with those guys They’ve been a huge part of it.
“It really helps that they are all great kids. I don’t have to get on their butts to work hard. I don’t have to get on their butts about grades so it makes my life a lot easier when you have a senior group that wants to be leaders and embraces that.”
We’re proud to honor those five Lions seniors as this week’s Fayette County Athletes of the Week.
We caught up with the Lions seniors at practice Wednesday, less than 24 hours after their big regional semifinal win over Wells.
Here are their thoughts:
What has stood out to you about why this team has been so successful?
“They way we work together and the speed we play with – we play with a really fast tempo, up and down constantly – and we play together.”
How different does this season feel?
“It has been a little different. We have to work together more. We don’t have Keagan (Supak) who could score whenever he wanted, we all have to contribute in our own ways.”
See Talk about sharing this experience with your dad (Clint), who is an assistant coach?
“It’s everything. I’ve grown up with him coaching me every year. There’s nothing that could top that.”
What are your plans for after high school?
“I plan to attend the University of North Texas in Denton. I want to major in Kinesiology and get a degree in physical therapy to become a physical therapist.”
Talk about all the hard work this team has put in this season.
“We put in so much work in the morning, pushing each other, lifting hard in the mornings, getting stronger and better every day. We wouldn’t have gotten this far without that hard work.”
Brody Dooley
What has stood out to you about how this team is playing?
“We’ve really been working as a team and playing good ball and I think that’s because we’ve been playing together so long.”
Talk about your head coach Jake Diggs.
“Coach Diggs got here when I was a freshmen. He’s been a real help to us. He got us in the weightroom. He’s a really good coach and he knows a lot about basketball.”
What are your plans for after high school?
“I plan to get a construction science degree – go to Blinn, and then transfer to A&M.”
Chance Konvicka
Talk about how y’all are playing this season?
“We are playing great. We have great connections with one another, we’re passing the ball well, getting our shots up, playing our roles and just playing good basketball.”
Does this season feel any different?
“I have a different role than I did last year. I’ve gone from not really playing a lot to coming off the bench.”
What are your plans after high school?
“Think I’m going to Blinn and get my HVAC certification or I might try to play baseball in college.”
Luke Korenek
What’s it like being a senior on this team?
“It goes quick, goes by a lot faster than they say it is.”
Y’all have a 17-game win streak now. How has that felt?
“It’s been a lot of hard work. Definitely a lot of pushing each other in practice and making sure we keep that same energy on the court.
What are you planning on doing after graduation?
“Probably go to Blinn and
get a welding certification.”
Talk About Coach Diggs
“Coach Diggs is a good coach. He pushed you a lot, but it’s all to better you. He definitely lets you have fun and lets you get in work without you really knowing it.”
Lawson Fritsch
Wednesday when we interviewed the other players at practice, Lawson was on a recruiting trip (the former state champ pole vaulter is considering vaulting in college). We interviewed him over the phone.
Talk about Coach Diggs
“I like how he coaches. When we practice he says he’s going to coach us hard and fast, but still make sure we stay fresh.”
What are your plans after high school?
“I would like to pole vault in college. I’ve taken visits to McNeese State and Letourneau University in Longview.”
Are there any similarities to success in pole vault and basketball?
“The key is just putting in the time.”