Coach Kaspar and the Bobcats Stay Focused on Future Amid COVID-19

By Christina Willis
Sports Reporter

Prior to the Texas State men’s basketball team traveling to New Orleans in pursuit of a Sun Belt championship, the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cancellation brought many restraints and challenges in an effort to adjust to a “new normal” for the Bobcats.

Following a rough 1-4 start, head coach Danny Kaspar led the Bobcats to a strong 12-3 finish to the season. The maroon and gold have worked hard and brought great energy to the court in the lead up to a very unfortunate end to the season.

“We felt really good about going to New Orleans and winning this thing,” Kaspar said. “I sure thought I was bringing my best team to the Sun Belt postseason tournament.”

Seniors Nijal Pearson and Eric Terry brought great energy and played hard on and off the court throughout the season. Kaspar highlighted key qualities that he would remember most about them and what they brought to the team. 

“What I remember about Nijal is a very dedicated, completive, hardworking and determined young man, even in academics,” Kaspar said. “[He] is one of those young men who will get in the gym by himself and shoot baskets for hours.” 

Coach Kaspar also appreciates the leadership shown by Terry with his silent, lead-by-example approach.

“He never missed practice and played very hard,” Kaspar said. “He ended his senior year on a great note playing the last games very well.”

The challenges of not meeting face-to-face to practice on the court, the Bobcats have become creative meeting through zoom calls, practicing indoors and finding ways to workout indoors as well. Kaspar encourages the teams to find different ways to get better every day.  

“They do what they can, and we ask them to be very creative, to find a hoop or go in the driveway just to find something to put in the work,” Kaspar said.

With next season approaching in the coming months, Kaspar’s new regime of ‘Cats consists of five new recruits that should prove to be great additions. 

“We hope that our returning players get better and our recruits can come in and give us what we are losing which is, Nijial Pearson and Eric Terry,” Kaspar said.

The five mentioned recruits Kaspar mentions are as follows: Dylan Dawson, Atascocita High School, a 6’3” point guard with a long reach; Nate Martin, freshman center from Houston Cypress Creek; Jason Bush, small forward out of Tyler Junior College; center Nijal Cesar from Colleen County Community College; and Darren Jinkins, a two-guard from Broward Community College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Featured image via Texas State Athletics.