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Of the lack of experience, Coach Leake acL mitted that his enthusiasm and expectations are unusual. “There’s not another team in the district set up like this. Traditionally they would be expected to lack skills — but I think that this team will be an exception. I was impressed with their progress during the offseason.”
Looking at possible weak spots, Coach Leake pinpointed rebounding. The players can get into position, “they hustle to the spot, but they’re not making the physical contact ... the fundamental is not sharp yet — it’s not an instinct yet.” As to the importance of rebounding, the coach pointed to last year’s stats. “We won 19 games and outrebounded our opponent in each of those games. We lost six games, and in four of those we were outrebounded.”
The team is working on those fundamentals every day, he added. The two scrimmages will be videotaped so that problems can be reviewed and corrected early in the season.
Coach Leake offered the following thumbnail sketches of the 1989-90 Panthers:
Julian Groves: The sole returning starter from last year’s team, the six-foot senior is the team’s co-captain this year. Last year he averaged eight points and five assists each game, so Coach Leake is looking for his continued contribution ■ the team’s offensive effort. The guard is the team’s all-around best player, extremely quick, a good passer and has a great shot selection.
Benji Roy: Also returning from last year’s team, Benji is the team’s co-captain this year. A six-foot senior, he’s the best athlete on the team. Coach Leake called his defensive efforts “outstanding,” and praised his jump shot and rebounding ability.
Bill Atkins: One of the team’s “three Smurfs” (the other two follow), this 5-foot-8-inch senior provides the team’s court leadership. “He runs the team’s offense the best, he’s poised and never cracks under pressure.” Atkins can take control of any situation, the coach added.
Paul Hitt: A perfect complement to Julian Groves, Hitt is the team’s best outside shooter. His ball handling and dribbling have greatly improved since his junior varsity season. As a 5foot-9-inch junior, Hitt presents the team’s threepoint threat.
Jason Butler: Another 5-foot-9-inch junior, Butler is the team’s most improved member from last season. Coach Leake praised his aggressive play, a threat to penetrate to the basket at any time. He is a good ball handler and passer, and also a potent three-point shooter.
James Roy: As a 6-foot-2-inch, 170-pound sophoi lore, James is fighting for a starting position as a forward, Coach Leake said. As a strong inside player, his best asset is his equal ability to go to the left or to the right. “He’s worked hard on the parts of the game that don’t matter to most, training himself to be the complete player.”
Bobby Jenkins: The second biggest man on the team, this 6-foot-5-inch, 160-pound junior has surprising hustle for a big man. He has great jumping ability and an excellent shot selection.
Dearl Cloud: This 6-foot-7-inch junior is the tallest player in the district this season. He has an
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