Archives > Sports Update
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
In the hunt: Lions' strong start builds off perennial success
By Richard C. White, rwhite@starlocalnews.com
Many things separate any given team from perfection. For the McKinney basketball team this season, the difference for them is a mere four points.
The Lions are 7-2 on the year, with their two losses coming by two points each. Head coach Wes Watson said he is proud of his team's start, but feels they still have a long way to go before they reach their full potential.
"I'm real pleased with the direction we're moving in right now, but we still got some things we need to work on if we want to be even better," he said. "We're not anywhere close to where we think we're going to be."
"We're pretty excited," Watson said. "The two games we've lost this year have been by two points. We had a couple of guys out against Wakeland that could have helped us, but I think we're in a good spot right now."
The Lions' starting five is made up of senior guards Jonathan Shannon and Connor Fuentes, senior forwards Tracy Miles and Darrin Donaldson and senior post Raynell Denny.
"Shannon is the guy that gets us going," Watson said. "He has a tremendous motor, is just a competitor. He allows us to play really fast offensively and really gets things going for us also defensively."
Junior guard Remington Edwards has also seen considerable time when Miles and Shannon weren't able to play at various points this season due to injuries and other issues.
"Remington went in and did a tremendous job," Watson said. "So we start those five seniors, that's our normal starting lineup, but Remington is a starter-quality player that we can include in the starting lineup or bring off the bench. He gives us a lot of offense and has been really good on both ends of the floor. He's played outstanding for us."
Not all teams have every starting spot filled by a senior, let alone a veteran one with extensive playing experience, something the Lions have throughout their lineup.
"We have a senior-heavy team, a lot of guys coming back from last year's team with a lot of experience," Watson said. "We're doing better in the early part of this year than we did last year because of that experience."
While the Lions may have been narrowly edged out in their two losses, Watson admits there are still areas of concern for his team, mainly on the offensive end.
"Hopefully we'll keep getting better," he said. "Our offensive execution needs to improve. We've made some questionable decisions at key times and we just have to value the ball a little bit better. We haven't done that consistently and it's cost us against Lincoln."
Watson cites the Lions' problems as that of their own doing, rather than their inability to compete with the teams they play.
"I'm talking about decision making basically," he said. "When not to make difficult passes or take bad shots when they're not necessary. Those are all areas that are correctable and they come with more practice and more time on the floor."
When it comes to McKinney's strengths, Watson says the Lions are loaded.
"Our kids play hard, that's our strength," he said. "And good things happen when you play hard. There's no substitute for that. We're able to make up for those breakdowns in decision making when we do play hard. That's a credit to our guys and the competitors they are."
While some teams try to slow their opponents down, the Lions put it to their opponents to keep up with them.
"We're an up-tempo team," Watson said. "It certainly helps when you can force some turnovers and get easy shots for yourself or force some tough shots for them that you can rebound and get out and run on."
While a strong start to the season is nice, Watson knows it won't mean much if McKinney isn't playing deep into February.
"Our goal is to make the playoffs and we feel like we have a good group here that can make a really deep run," he said. "That really hasn't changed a whole lot from any other year."
Over much of the last decade, Watson has built the Lions into a perennial playoff team. McKinney has made the postseason six of the last seven years.
"I am pretty proud of all my players and coaches," Watson said. "I certainly couldn't accomplish what we have without those guys. It's definitely not a one-man deal. We've been blessed here, that's for sure."
The Lions return to action Thursday at 3 p.m. against Faith Academy in their first game of the Keller Tournament from Fossil Ridge High School.
As for District 10-5A, Watson believes there won't be any easy games when play gets underway the second week of January.
"There's really not a weak team in this district," he said. "It's a tough district from top to bottom. I really believe we have six playoff-caliber teams in the district, but two of them are going to miss out and go home unhappy this year. You do everything you can to make sure it's not you."
As for who McKinney's main competition is in a loaded district, Watson says that's easy.
"Plano East is the team everyone is pointing to for the district title," he said. "They have everyone back, all their starters from last year. They're really good and their coaches have done a great job."
Plano East may be ranked No. 16 in the state, but that doesn't mean McKinney is conceding the district title just yet.
"We want to win the district, there's no question," Watson said. "It's going to be a dog fight. Whoever wins it would have definitely earned it. It's really a high level of competition."
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Sports Update «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
