ROGERS - Connor Hirsh could be called Rogers Heritage’s version of the Energizer bunny.
It’s not a ferocious comparison, but very apt when talking to War Eagles boys basketball coach Tom Olsen.
“He’s got a motor that never stops, almost to a fault at times,” Olsen said. “He thinks every loose ball is his. He just pursues the ball so hard. I’ve never had a kid like him.
“I think I said to someone ‘Connor is the Webster’s defi - nition of nose for the ball.’”
Hirsh, like Heritage, is off to a strong start this second, leading the War Eagles in rebounds, assists, steals and field goal percentage. He’s also second on the team, averaging 13.6 points per game.
He and the rest of the War Eagles are hoping to put a good finish with that strong start as they open 7A/6AWest Conference play tonight against Fayetteville.
They have more confi dence this year, after a 9-3 start last year spiraled into an 0-14 fi nish in the league, Hirsh said.
“We feel better after Oklahoma City,” Hirsh said. “After playing Mustang, getting down and coming back making it a close game, then we beat Guthrie by 30 and then beat that other team with a really good player. It gave us a taste of what it will be like in conference. Yeah, we’ve been tested.”
That “really good player” he was referring to is 6-foot senior Chauncey Collins, who has verbally committed to play at TCU next yar. Collins scored a game-high 27, but Heritage held on for the win.
Hirsh’s relentless passion isalmost a must though since the 6-2 junior occupies the power forward spot for the War Eagles and must go against much larger and stronger players in the league, Olsen said.
Hirsh said he worked hard in the offseason to increasehis shooting range in order to become a more versatile player.
“Going against those bigger guys, I can’t always just drive to the basket,” Hirsh said. “You’ve got to spread the floor a little bit. so they have to come out and guard me. The farther I can get those guys off the block the better chance I have to guard them.”
Olsen said Hirsh’s work ethic is unquestioned.
“One of our parents saw Connor walk by with his shirt drenched with sweat after practice,” Olsen said. “They looked at me and said ‘It’s not hard to see who the hardest workers are in practice is it?’
“He really went to work to become a better shooter off the dribble,” Olsen said. “He was really on a mission to become a better player and it shows.”
Hirsh’s attitude has evenrubbed off on his teammates this year, Olsen said.
“There’s no doubt the way he plays, his mentality rubs off on his teammates,” Olsen said. “He’s really special for us.
A recent NWA Media poll picked Heritage, which has never made the state tournament, to finish last. Hirsh acknowledged the War Eagles have something to prove.
“We’re ready to go out there and prove everybody wrong,” Hirsh said.
If Hirsh can continue his strong performance, the War Eagles just might do that.
Sports, Pages 8 on 01/10/2014