American Heritage-Delray hoops coaches look to new season with optimism

American Heritage-Delray basketball head coaches Rodney Dobard (girls’ team) and Kameron Law (boys’ team) are looking forward to the upcoming high school basketball season.

Law is entering his second year at the school, while Dobard is headed into his first year at the school — and coaching a girls’ team for the first time, after stints at Park Vista as an assistant for 11 years and most recently at nearby Atlantic High School coaching the boys’ program for the past four years as the head coach.

“I am very optimistic for this upcoming season,” said Law, who was 10-12 last year. The Stallions put together a five-game winning streak at the end of the season before falling to rival North Broward Prep in the district semifinals.

“We had a really good off-season with workouts, weights, and a really good fall ball with some preseason games,” Law continued. “Our team lost a little bit of height from what we had last year, but it allows us to play faster and more up-tempo.”

The Stallions return sophomore twins and leading scorers from a year ago: Xander and Brendan Gerard. Law said they show chemistry both on and off the court.

“We also have a great new point guard in Benji Grayer, who came to us this year after he played and started varsity last year as a freshman at Pine Crest,” Law said. “He will lead our team with getting guys in the right spots.”

Law expects senior leadership to come from power forward Louis Corsa, who is a strong defender and rebounder. The team also picked up another transfer in junior small forward Jack Wigginton, who arrived from rival North Broward Prep.

“He is our Draymond Green,” said Law, referring to the NBA All-Star forward from the Golden State Warriors. “He can handle the ball, is a great passer, and defends all five positions.”

He added: “I expect us to have a good year this season and compete for districts and regionals. We were very young and having those young guys mature and now going into another year with them, they know the expectations we have for them, but they have high expectations for themselves.”

Dobard, who was hired last month, called this season a “developmental year.” He said he has received support from Law, as well as athletic director Kristina Shahin, assistant athletic director Herve Coby and assistant coach Rachel Taylor.

“My expectations are for me, the coaching staff and the kids to all get an understanding of each other,” Dobard said. “I don’t have the benefit of working the kids out for a year, so that is what this year will be about, and the good thing is, I don’t have a lot of underclassmen on the team so we will all learn together, starting now, throughout the season and carrying over to next year. They will get to learn from one another and start a special relationship.”

Dobard said it would be difficult to put a championship team with just two or three months together, but he hopes to have an “awesome” season. His team is without size, with no one over 5 feet, 8 inches tall, so they will look to get out on the fast break.

His first impression of his squad was that they have mental fortitude and quickly pick up things.

“Since I came on late, my benchmark is to try and get them motivated,” Dobard said. “Whatever we do this season will be great because I know everyone will give me their best.”