KFDM COOP Posted November 11, 2008 Report Posted November 11, 2008 Titan basketball looks to move up By Cody Pastorella The Port Arthur News EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a series of previews on area boys basketball teams. The Memorial Titans basketball program had a wild ride last season. It started with high expectations but between injuries and a district season long suspension to J'Covin Brown, Memorial went to battle with a very young and inexperienced group. The Titans finished tied for fourth, posting a 17-15 overall record and 7-7 District 21-5A mark. The Titans lost a close contest to Atascocita (41-39) in the league tiebreaker game, ending their season. It was not the year Port Arthur was expecting from the beginning. However, it was a season that possibly prepped the Titans for even bigger expectations this season. Port Arthur returns eight players who all started at one time or another last season. And the games they did not start, they at least saw valuable minutes. Led by JeKore Tyler, a senior wing who led the team with an average of 14 points per game, the Titans have been picked to finish in first place this district season by TexPrepBasketball. Joining Tyler are forwards Tevin Turner, Jordan Reno, Darius Harris and Jamarcus Jones. Jones, Harris and Turner all averaged seven boards per game last season. The Titans also have guards Shaquille White, Wendall Pierre and Clarence Thomas coming back. White averaged two steals and five assists in 2007-08. Memorial head coach Terrul Henderson said he feels as if White has really turned the corner as far as a mature point guard goes. Henderson feels really good about the entire program because of the offseason work his players have put in. "Bigger, stronger, faster," he said. "We've worked hard. We're more experienced. Last year, we had none of that. We had no depth. Because of situations, we had kids out there who had no real experience. This year, we're ready. This year, we're bigger, stronger, faster. "We hit the weights really hard. We're excited and we're ready. We have a long bench of experienced players." Memorial kicks off its season Friday at the Louisiana Jamboree, which is a one day tournament. The Titans will also play in the Lake Charles Classic, the YMBL Tournament and, of course, host the Gamble Classic, which will bring in a load of talent from schools like LaMarque, Eisenhower, Houston Jones, Kashmere, Sam Houston, Gulf Shores, Gelena Park and Memorial. The Gamble Classic is Dec. 29-30. The YMBL Tournament is set for Dec. 11-13. The Titans first home game will be against Nederland on Nov. 25. That game will be at 7:30 p.m. The Titans will be at Beaumont Ozen Nov. 18 for their first local game. Tip off against the Panthers is set for 7 p.m. Henderson said there are three clear cut phases to this season's schedule. The first phase, the preseason phase, has been completed and has left Henderson with "positive expectations." The next step is what he called the tournament season where the Titans will face a tough schedule of non-district opponents. The plan is to continue to work hard and hope to stay healthy during this second phase. Then there is the third phase, the all important part of the schedule that brings the most importance, the district schedule. The Titans will tip off 21-5A play at North Shore on Jan 16. All district contests are set to start at 7 p.m. Port Athur's first district home game will be against West Brook on Jan. 23. Henderson said he was not completely sure of what to expect from the other league teams but figures each team to be tough opponents. "This is always a strong district," Henderson said. "The key is staying healthy and keeping the intensity up. To never lose focus of our goals. I feel like we have quality players this season with average size and talent for Region III basketball. We have above average speed and very good depth. We have positive expectations this season for sure. We're really excited to get started."
Master T Posted November 12, 2008 Report Posted November 12, 2008 Well good luck to them Titan but I really don't see them winning district over Baytown Sterling this year. I have seen them play summer league and that's a good group with senior leadership and talent overall. They also are deep in the bench.
Bucof2010 Posted November 12, 2008 Report Posted November 12, 2008 Might help to not hav Distraction Brown around.
Recommended Posts