Boys’ basketball team hopes for injury-free season
11/13/2018
Their first game is Nov. 23 at St. Petersburg High School.
By JONATHAN MYERS
SNN Staff Writer
With basketball season under way the varsity boys’ basketball team is ready to take the court. Last year the boys had high expectations, but injuries had them go 14-12 and they look to improve.
Senior Jalen White is eager to start his senior year.
“I’m excited. We’re all ready and hungry and we are putting in a lot of work,” he said.
White’s only concern is with injuries, because last season the team dealt with a lot of them.
“Not to jinx it, but last year everyone got hurt and took us out physically and mentally,” he said.
White said he worked on his long-range shooting in the off-season.
“Basically, my whole career I only took layups, so this year I want defense to respect me on the perimeter,” he said.
Senior Jermaine Phillips, who transferred this year from Northeast High School, said he is ready for the switch.
“I’m ready to play with a new group of guys. We should go pretty far. We have a lot of talent,” he said.
Phillips said he is also concerned with injuries.
“My only (concern) is everyone stay healthy and no one gets hurt,” he said.
Head coach Anthony Lawrence said he thinks the team’s size and inside play will help them a lot this season.
“(Junior) Jamille (Reynolds) is an excellent inside player and Jalen White does a great job getting to the basket, so our strength is our size and ability to attack the basket,” he said.
Lawrence thinks everyone can have a big impact.
“The key impacts will be shared on different nights. One will do well on one night and others will do well on other nights. We don’t have to care about one dude,” he said.
Their first game is Nov. 23 – the day after Thanksgiving - at 4 p.m. St. Petersburg High School. Because a fire delayed the opening of the renovated gym, the boys have been practicing at Thurgood Marshall Middle School and all games must be held away.