Manual basketball's off to its best start since 2014, here's a few reasons why

We're only two weeks into a long basketball season, but the Manual Crimsons fit the criteria of a playoff contender. Led by second-year head coach Miquel Coleman, Manual's athleticism, talent and chemistry has the Crimsons sitting at 7-0.

Last season, Coleman's arrival led to Manual's first Regional Championship appearance since 2015.

Taking down the Males, Trinitys and Ballards of the world won't be easy, but Manual at least early on looks like a team that'll be ready to deal with those challenges. Here are four reasons why this season could be the year Manual makes it to the Sweet 16.

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Damone King rules the court

Every team needs a guy who can get a bucket. For Manual, it's Damone King.

Despite being only a sophomore, King plays the game with the control and patience of a vet. He doesn't fill up the stat sheet with video game numbers, but knows how to leave his fingerprint on the game.

"I think he can be one of the best players that DuPont's (Manual) ever had," Coleman said. "The one thing I love about him is that he's so coachable. If you talk to him and teach him he has his ears open and his mouth closed."

Offensively, King's 13.6 points per game are an early improvement from the 10.1 he averaged his freshman year. As he develops, so will the depth of his skillset. King has shown he can hit 3-pointers, get to the rim or pick you apart from midrange.

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King has also been an efficient passer this season. In a 67-57 win over St. Xavier, King dished out six assists thanks to his understanding of the pick and roll. Patience is the key to his game and he believes it can what takes Manual to the next level.

"The more we play smart the easier it'll be for us," King said. "If we play smart, stay patient, let the game come to us but still be aggressive it'll be way easier for us."

Hurley carries the haul

Every day, Miquel Coleman reminds junior Brady Hurley about his one task on the court.

"I ask him every day to do one simple thing, just go dominate," Coleman said. "Because he can do it with no plays called for him. If he wanted to he could go out and get 20 and 10 every time he stepped on the floor."

Coleman's praise of the Crimson's leading rebounder is well warranted. Hurley is the type of player that makes coaches rejoice. Hurley dives for loose balls, fights for rebounds and let's his 10 ppg come in the flow of the game. Basically, Hurley takes care of the grime so the Crimsons can shine.

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"It makes it much easier for the other guys," Coleman said. "He's going to be back there protecting you. When the ball comes off the backboard he's going to get the rebound and get us out in transition.

Hurley is one of the more underrated aspects to Manual's game but make no mistake his presence is irreplaceable. The sacrifices he makes as a scorer leads to success for others and his leadership has been key to development of Manual's young core.

Young talent

If you think Manual's near future looks bright, just wait a season or two.

The Crimsons will need its senior class of Koji Anderson, Owen Walsh and Tobias and Tavon Jones to make a run this season, but Manual's roster comes well equipped with a load of young talent.

King and leading scorer Christian Doerr (16.7 ppg) are both sophomores. Hurley and Donavyn Knox are juniors and there are still young underclassmen eager to earn playing time this season.

If you're Manual you couldn't be happier about the makeup of your roster. Anderson and Walsh give senior leadership and experience that'll help future stars develop nicely.

Take Doerr for example. Last season, he couldn't play due to injury so he's the least experienced starter the Crimsons have. On the floor, you can see the rawness and immense talent in his game. Coleman's job over the next three seasons is working with Doerr to keep the unique parts of his game but still have the mind to make the smart play.

"The stuff he does in practice sometimes will make you go "how in the h*** did he just do that?" Coleman said. "But you've also got to work with him sometimes to understand he has to make the simple play."

Road warriors

To be the best, you've got to beat the best and that means something to Manual. To start the year, the Crimsons have made their way through a difficult schedule filled with away games.

To kick off the season, Manual took down North Oldham and Seneca on the road. The Mustangs are 5-0 with wins over Butler and CAL to show for it since and Seneca's no pushover as well.

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Manual would only enjoy one home game, a 97-40 blowout over Brown, before heading into a three-game road trip. From Dec. 8-11, Manual beat St. Xavier, Shawnee and Valley by double-digit scores.

Four games in a week isn't the ideal schedule that the Crimsons would like. One could say the amount of early-season game experience has helped Manual catch its groove, but the possibility of early season burnout is real if the Crimsons don't find some time off.

"It's a good thing and I bad thing," Anderson said. "Us being on the court more and playing against other teams is good but sometimes we do need a break."

Follow Courier Journal reporter J.L. Kirven on Twitter @JL_Kirven for more updates on Louisville prep sports.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA: Four observations about Manual basketball's start to season