Cosmos boys basketball coach talks about this year’s team

HHS Cosmos basketball coach Dennis Foster has been behind several winning seasons. File photo

 

By Alan Madlane
The Hamtramck Cosmos boys’ basketball is more than halfway through its season, and so far, it’s been a bit up and down.
After having gone undefeated for the previous two seasons, culminating in a coveted district title last season, the young group has battled out to a 9-4 record, as of Jan. 25.
We caught up with their hard-working coach, Dennis Foster, for a short interview by email.

The Review: How does this team compare to last year’s, in your mind?

Coach Foster: This team compares great to last year’s team, because of the leadership of seniors Amari Allen and Jalen Miller; also, the addition of Chuck Bailey III.
We are in a rebuilding stage right now, but we have a very talented young core of guys.

The Review: What are the team’s strengths? Does the team have any real weakness(es)?

Coach Foster: We are a very athletic defensive team – that’s “The Hamtramck Way.”
We have great size across the board. We can play any style, fast or slow, so we are a very difficult team to prepare for.

The Review: When a team is good, is it difficult to keep their attention — in practice, for example?

Coach Foster: No, it’s not hard at all, because the Program Goals are all the same! We play for each other.
For example: Amari Allen and Chuck Bailey have a number of schools that are recruiting them, but those two guys told their teammates that they will delay signing, so that all the schools that come to see them can see their teammates as well.
That’s the culture here at Hamtramck: We Are One.

The Review: As if the team wasn’t already tough enough, you’ve gotten a really good transfer player from Arizona. What do you know about Chuck Bailey III already? What position(s) has he been playing?

Coach Foster: CB3 is a great kid! He is a big guard, but he can play all five positions if needed. As the kids would say, “He is a bucket!”

The Review: Do you have any involvement with the girl’s team? Who’d win the Varsity battle if they squared off?

Coach Foster: Yes, I have involvement, and the ladies’ team is great — I don’t know who would win, but it would be a battle!

The Review: Anything else you’d like to add, please take this opportunity to do so.

Coach Foster: I would like to thank some of the HHS Staff that are going “above and beyond” for all the kids in the program and school: Anthony Kiner, Kimberly Harchelroad, Ashleigh Brock, Titania Jordan, Sonya Waters, Scott Johnson, Elizabeth Alpert, and Amal Mehar.
I would like to give a special “thank you” to Agron Marniku — he has been a long-time Team Manager for the program, and I want to thank him for his help and services to these young men and women.
Lastly, to our sponsors: General Trucking, Maine Street, Wing Fellas, and Asian Corned Beef, Life Clothing, Ball Out Apparel.

The Review: Best of luck to you the rest of the way, coach – hopefully, all the way to another district title!
The Cosmos play their games at the Hamtramck Community Center.
Posted Jan. 27, 2023

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