THS expecting big things this season
Tigers will switch to a quicker attack
Three years ago, Jacob Skinner was coaching some of the best freshman talent ever assembled at Texas High.
Now, those freshmen are seniors and it should be no surprise Skinner, in his third year as varsity coach of the Tigers, and his staff are expecting big things from their squad.
“I think this team has potential to be really good,” said Skinner. “This was one of our most talented freshman groups we’ve had here, and they’re seniors now. They all move well and understand how each other plays. There are no off-the-court issues, and I think we’re going to get better as the season goes on. I think it will a fun group to coach.”
The Tigers posted a 15-14 record and a tie for second place in District 14-4A last year under Skinner. They lost in the first round of the playoffs to McKinney North. With five returning players who saw starting time last season, Skinner and assistants Keith Jones and Pat House are anticipating a banner year.
“Being this is only my third year, the newness hasn’t worn off,” he said. “We’ve got a great relationship between the players and coaches, and I think the kids will play with a lot more confidence this year. The kids are ready to take the program to another level, and it should be an exciting year for Texas High basketball.”
Three of the returning starters were first-team all-district selections as juniors. Guards Success Blevins (5-10), Jamal Ray (6-2) and Darion Kidd (5-7) averaged 10.6, 9.1 and 9.4 points per game, respectively.
“This will be the third year to start for Success,” Skinner said. “He’s not a pure shooter, but he plays hard and is really good at attacking the basket. His bread and butter is to get to the rim, get fouled and go to the free throw line. Right now we’re running him at the point.”
The Tigers will switch to a quicker attack this season, utilizing four guards and a post player. Ray will be moving from forward to guard.
“Jamal has really been playing well and handling the ball better,” Skinner said. “He’s one of our better shooters, but he can also get to the rim. We’re going to rely a lot of Jamal. Right now he’s a our team leader, and as he goes, we go.” Kidd is a second-year starter. “Darion is a spot-up shooter, and he’s good from the threepoint line,” Skinner said. “He was our leading assist guy last year, and he’s a good defensive player. He turned the ball over a little too much, but we’re working on that. We’re asking him to play a lot of minutes.”
Midway through the district schedule last year Skinner moved juniors Keilon Bunn (5-11) and Taylor Jackson (6-3) up from the junior varsity, and both made key contributions to the playoff runs.
“Keilon’s not that tall, but he was our third-leading rebounder in the games he played,” Skinner said. “Right now he’s a starting guard who handles the ball well and gets after it on defense. He’s more accustomed to the flow and speed of the game and has really come a long way.”
Jackson only recently joined the team after an outstanding season as a wide receiver on the Tiger football team.
“Taylor averaged eight points and five rebounds for us and ended up starting the playoff game,” Skinner said. “He has a knack for being around the ball, and he’s jumping better than I’ve seen him jump before. He hasn’t been with us long, but he’s figuring things out.”
Two other seniors, 5-9 Donovan Davis, and 5-6 Kelvin James will be role players for the Tigers.
“Donovan is not very athletic, but gives you 100 percent when he’s on the floor,” Skinner said. “He does everything you ask him, and is strong defensively. Kelvin wants to be a good player, and we’re still trying to get him in shape to do what we want we want to do.”
Skinner will rely on juniors from last year’s junior varsity and another who sat out last year, to fill out his team.
Malik Gailes (6-2) and Gage Martin (6-1) will back Jackson up at the post positions.
“Malik hardly played as a freshman, but started every game on the junior varsity last year,” Skinner said “He’s our biggest, longest guy in the program. He’s not real quick, but he’s a good offensive rebounder, and we’re going to ask him to be rim protector on defense.
“Gage was the other post on the jayvees last year. He works his tail off. He’s not physically blessed, but you can count on him to do the right thing.”
Malik Faucette, a 5-11 guard, had grade problems last year and is currently ineligible, but Skinner expects him to contribute when he returns.
“We need him on the floor; he’s one of the best defenders we have,” he said. “He plays really hard and understands the game. He makes our defense better.”
Jarion Anderson, a 5-9 guard who left the team last year after an outstanding freshman campaign, is another key defender.
“You can tell Jarion missed last season, but he’s as good an athlete as we have, and he’s going to make us better,” Skinner said. “He’s going to have to find his shot and work on his ball-handling sills, but defensively he can really help us.”
Skinner obviously feels he has the athletes to change his philosophy of the last two years.
“We’ve changed up what we’ve done in the past. We’re getting up and down the floor and we want to add the defensive pressure element all over the court,” he said. “I think the kids will enjoy playing this way and we have a chance to make a good run.”
That includes challenge defending champion Marshall for the district title.
“Right now Marshall is heads above everybody else,” he said. “They have everybody back from a team that lost one district game. They have athletes all over the place and are the team to beat. Mount Pleasant and Pine Tree will be better, and I think Sulphur Springs will be really improved.
“But I think we have a chance to be right there, and the kids believe it, too. I think if we play our best against all the teams other than Marshall we win. I don’t know about Marshall because they were better than us last year. But we’re going to give it our best shot.”