SYRACUSE -- Greg Godderidge isn't wasting any time laying his desired framework for Syracuse High after being introduced as its next head boys basketball coach earlier this month.

The Davis High alum and 13-year coaching veteran has a long road ahead of him, as Godderidge looks to lift a Titans program that finished 7-17 and dead last in Region 1 (0-10) during Lance Gummersall's lone season at the helm. Gummersall accepted the head job at Riverton in June.

Previously working with Gummersall during offseason camps, Godderidge eyed the position from afar as head coach of Syracuse's junior high team where he'd coached several members of the current Titans roster.

"It made more sense now," Godderidge, originally of Farmington and now a 20-year Syracuse resident, said. "It's a natural fit for me because I know all the guys. ... I heard from almost all the boys right away and they were pumped."

Godderidge's basketball ties, stretching into high school-level AAU and the Special Olympics, made for an exciting fit. The newly hired coach also heard from parents and administrators right away.

But it's clear Godderidge is focused on managing his expectations for what basketball at Syracuse should look like.

Hardly a week after accepting the job, open gym shootarounds have begun and the Titans will begin a formal training regiment when August rolls around. The first goal, Godderidge said, is establishing a sense of culture -- players excited to be in the room.

"It's not all about winning," Godderidge said. "Certainly it's an element but we want to make sure we're, first and foremost, creating good student-athletes and, hopefully, the boys are having some fun."

Returning senior guard Bradlee Trejo said the locker room is hungry for a sense of camaraderie.

"We just didn't have much of a connection between the coach and the players," Trejo said of last season. "I think we're going to have a lot of that this year. ... I feel (Godderidge) is going make sure what we run and what we do is going to fit best with us."

Godderidge plans to implement a speed-based system in Year 1, adding layers to his fundamental approach at the junior high level.

The challenge of improving an offense that produced just 54.8 points per game last season should be a bit easier, considering Godderidge inherits familiar guards in Trejo (5.3 ppg), senior Hudson Hess (4.5 ppg) and junior Skyler Orton (5.8 ppg).

Godderidge is especially excited about returning 6-foot-5 center Carter Robinson, who the Titans coach feels made "tremendous progress" the past two seasons and anticipates the junior making a difference in the paint.

In Trejo's view, the components for Godderidge's desired high-speed, low-turnover offense are waiting patiently.

"I think we should play fast because we're not the tallest team," Trejo said. "We're a pretty fast and good shooting team, so spacing and getting up and down the floor for easy layups is good (for us)."

Godderidge merely observed the team's most recent shootarounds but attitudes in the gymnasium were already a bit brighter, Trejo said.

"For the first one, I thought it was good," Trejo said. "I think we're going to have more as we get into it. ... All the guys really connect with (Godderidge) really well and it's good to have that chemistry."

Connect with prep sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.

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