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November 19, 2009

Indians ‘start’ over

Murray Co. not without talent

By Doug Hawley

Although the Murray County High boys basketball team returns no starters from last year’s outstanding squad, the cupboard is not bare.

“We’re loaded up with juniors,” coach Greg Linder said. “They’re mostly from our unbeaten junior varsity team (15-0). We have some talent, and the attitude is wonderful, but we’re obviously inexperienced on the varsity. It’s the first time that we haven’t returned a starter.”

Last year’s Indians went 19-10, finished third in the Region 7-4A tournament, ad-vanced to the state tournament and were ousted by Rockdale County in the first round.

On the girls’ side, assistant coach Carl Koneman is serving as interim coach for Traci Rankin, who is on maternity leave. She expects to return to her duties in January.

“We lost two starters from last year, but all of our starters this time started at one time or other,” Koneman said. “Over the last three years, we gradually have improved the record. The attitude has been great.”

Murray seeks to improve on last year’s 9-15 mark.

Both teams tip off their season tonight with a visit to Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe.

“Our strength should be getting out in transition,” Linder said of the Indians. “We’re pretty athletic. We’re pretty quick. So far this preseason, we’ve shot the ball extremely well.”

Among players leaving voids from last year’s senior class, Garrick Sanford and Tanner Long, both enjoyed solid seasons. Sanford averaged 12.5 points and 4 rebounds and Long 12.2 and 5.5.

Four projected starters played enough last season to earn letters — post Seth Davenport (6-foot-3, senior) and guards Luke Mealer (6-0, Sr.), Blake Hammontree (6-1, Jr.) and Will Ross (6-2, Sr.). Post Adam Spivey (6-4, Jr.) rounds out the starting quintet.

“Ross off the bench last year was my shooter against zones,” Linder said. “Davenport did well rebounding and on defense. Mealer was my defensive stopper against the man who was hurting us.”

Post Beau Booth (6-4, Sr.) figures to get first call from the bench this season. The same goes for point guard Zach England (5-7, Sr.).

Depth comes from Chase Jones (6-0, Jr.), Mike Caldwell (5-10, So.) and Chris Thompson (5-9, Jr.), guards; and Taylor Patterson (6-5, Jr.), Zach Hall (6-1, Jr.), Noah Bishop (6-1, Jr.) and Jake White (6-0, Jr.), posts.

“Our offense is ahead of the defense, though the top scorer will depend on the particular day,” Linder said. “The rebounding is pretty good though we’re not going to be able to outjump a lot of people. If we continue to work with the effort that we’ve had, we’ll grow up pretty well.”

Linder, a 1990 Murray High graduate, heads into his fifth season at the Indians’ helm with an overall record of 62-44. That included a region championship in 2005-06 and advancement to the second round of the state tournament. The Indians were 24-5 that season.

“Our experience should be our strength,” Koneman said of the Lady Indians. “Most of our seniors (seven) are four-year players.”

Kayla Brock and Brittney Spence were the team’s only losses — due to graduation — on last year’s squad.

“Our scoring should be a concerted team effort,” Koneman said. “We’re focusing on defense. So much of the girls’ game is dependent on applying pressure. We’re not big (the tallest player is 5-9), but we should be able to rebound as a team.”

Five seniors are expected to answer the opening tip: point guard Tember Marchant (5-5), shooting guards Mariah Parker (5-9) and Lindsay Watts (5-6) and posts Brooke Simmons (5-6) and Jenna Rogers (5-9).

Shooting guard Hillary Harrison (5-3, Sr.) and point guard Kayla Stanley (5-6, Jr.) will play extensively. Others battling for time include posts Karli Timms (5-9, Jr.), Shelby Dillard (5-9, So.) and Natasha Epperson (5-9, Sr.), shooting guard Kellie Newport (5-5. So.), shooting guard; and point guard Kolby Keener (5-2, Jr,).

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