Jamie Satre was in his mid-20s when he was hired to become the boys basketball coach at Greenwood Christian Academy.
Satre, who is about to start his 12th season, has witnessed virtually every jump shot, bounce pass and official’s call — questionable or otherwise — in the program’s history.
He helped lead the program into its first sectional game, a 91-30 loss to Morristown in 2007, but Satre also celebrated the magnificence of the 2013-14 Cougars season which included a first-ever sectional title and ended two heartbreaking points shy of a Class A semistate berth.
The career record is below .500, but Satre, 37, understands he’s part of something special.
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Click here to purchase photos from this galleryHe isn’t about to trade any of it.
“We see more than just basketball,” Satre said. “These guys are going to be husbands and fathers someday. We want them to be quality individuals and to be able to be successful after basketball.
“But, at the same time, we’re addicted to the game. It’s not easy. Every year it changes. We’re not getting these football players, so we have to tweak things every year. My assistant coach, Curt Beaty, is integral to what we’re doing. He has a very good offensive mind and we kind of tailor everything on the team we have.”
GCA is coming off a 6-18 season in which the Cougars dropped seven games by seven points or fewer.
Four seniors from that squad graduated, taking a good portion of GCA’s scoring and rebounding with them. However, Satre notices similarities to what’s taking place within his program now to what occurred in 2012-13.
That Cougars squad lost seven of its first eight games before regrouping to go on a six-game win streak.
“That team got better quickly over the course of the season,” Satre said.
Greenwood Christian Academy again depends on a promising core of underclassmen, this one led by sophomores Quentin Steele, Cooper Britt and Payton Modlin. That trio, along with 6-foot-1 guard Camden Peters, the Cougars’ lone senior, will be counted on to lead the Cougars.
Greenwood Christian Academy plays seven of its first nine games on the road, including two at the third annual Monrovia Tournament on December 29 and 30.
“We really like the schedule that we have,” Satre said. “It tests us early, for sure.”
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Coach: Jamie Satre
Last year: 6-18 overall, 2-4 PAAC; lost to Morristown in Edinburgh Sectional semifinal
Who’s back: G Camden Peters, G Quentin Steele, G Cooper Britt, G Payton Modlin
Who’s gone: Krae Sparks, Jared Davenport, Hunter Slater, Troy Healy
New kids on the block: G Cayden Bauscheck, G Austin Eicher, F Christian Kincer, F Gabe Vessely, G Griffin Peters
Outlook: Even though the Cougars graduated much of its scoring and rebounding from last season, Satre returns four players who saw plenty of varsity minutes. Peters, a 6-foot-1 guard and the team’s lone senior, is back after averaging 7.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Sophomores Steele, Britt and Modlin must now play bigger roles after gaining experience as ninth-graders.
Satre Says: “We’re a guard-heavy team. Being able to shoot the ball and defend are going to be huge factors for us. This is a group that worked hard in the offseason. There’s not a lot of size, but we’re scrappy.”
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Date;Opponent;Time
Nov. 22;at Indianapolis Metropolitan;7:30 p.m.
Nov. 26;at Greenwood;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 2;Heritage Christian;8 p.m.
Dec. 3;Edgewood;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 10;at Indianapolis Lutheran;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 29-30;at Monrovia tournament
Jan. 6;at Crispus Attucks;8 p.m.
Jan. 7;at Indianapolis Shortridge;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 10;International;7:45 p.m.
Jan. 13;Southwestern;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 17;Irvington Prep Academy;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 21;Trinity Lutheran;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 27;Central Christian;8 p.m.
Feb. 2;Morristown;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 4;Arlington;1:30 p.m.
Feb. 7;at Edinburgh;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 11;Pioneer Conference tournament
Feb. 14;at Waldron;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 17;at Brown County;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 21;at Indianapolis University;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 24;Indian Creek;7:30 p.m.
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