Common Bond

Former Agape player Mullett gives
inexperienced PCA roster vital boost

BY ED WRIGHT
Jan. 4 , 2010, 10:15 p.m.

  What was a player wearing an "Agape" jersey doing at a Plymouth Christian Academy boys basketball practice in mid-December?

  He was making jumpers, dishing off slick passes and playing stellar defense.

  The player was Donald Mullett, the 20-point-a-game sharp-shooter who switched from Canton Agape Christian to Plymouth Christian Academy this school year after Agape closed its doors over the summer.

  His arrival, along with Ethan Walker, couldn't have come at a better time for the Eagles, who graduated 11 seniors and all five starters off last year's district-championship contingent.

  "The guys who have come over from Agape have been a big help, especially with us losing all the players we lost to graduation," said PCA junior forward Travis DeKruyter, one of the few returning players for Eagles. "We got to know them really well during soccer season, which has made it easier for basketball."

  Mullett, who will move from shooting guard to the point this winter, has adjusted nicely to the team he formerly knew as a friendly rival.

  "It's gone well," Mullett said. "The biggest difference has been that we ran more set plays at Agape. Over here we don't really run plays; we try to score on the fast-break. It's been a great experience so far."

  Although the Eagles lost several key players from last season's 12-12 title squad, their style of play will remain the same, according to third-year head coach Mike Doyle.

  "We're going to be an up-tempo team," said Doyle. "We'll be an exciting team to watch, win or lose.

  "From what I've seen so far, it looks like this is going to be a good team. In our first game, nine out of our 10 players scored, so we have a lot of skilled players. Teams aren't going to know where to defend us."

  They'll have to start with Mullett, who proved last season that he is a threat to score from the perimeter and with drives to the hoop.

  "We know Don can score and the teams we'll be playing know Don can score, but we're going be looking for him to distribute a little more this year," said Doyle, referring to his starting point guard. "With all of his skills, I think he can be a very good point guard."

  Mullett will be joined in the starting backcourt by DeKruyter, who is one of just three Eagle returners.

  "Travis is very fast, very quick," said Doyle. "He's probably our best defender. He's really athletic. His offensive skills are very promising."

  The Eagles' primary inside threat is super sophomore Eric Jipping, a 6-foot-5 center who netted 19 points in PCA's season opener.

  "We're looking for Eric to be a dominating force in the post for us," Doyle said. "When he gets the ball down low and he's one-on-one, he'll score nine out of 10 times. And he's still growing and still learning."

  Jipping will be flanked by forwards Matt Dodson and Jordan Allen.

  "Matt is a very good three-point shooter," Doyle said. "When he's unguarded, he'll make 60 to 70 percent of his shots out there. Jordan is a very athletic player who is more of a wing player, but he'll be starting at power forward because of our needs. He's very strong and very smart. He's one of those players who will play well anywhere you put him."

  The first two players off the Eagles' bench will be freshman Mick Noel and Walker.

  "Nick has incredible jumping ability," said Doyle. "Even though he's only a freshman and he's about 6-1, he can dunk, which gives you a good idea of his athleticism. He's a very good on-the-ball defender and, offensively, he can score on the drive.

  "Ethan is a very good defender and is probably the team's best overall rebounder."