Marion Basketball Preview

By: | SCNow
Published: November 23, 2007

Player Perspective: “I think we got a little stronger. Our expectations is to play better defense and get rebounds. We have to play as a team this year," says shooting guard Stacy Wilson. "Our offense is the strength of the team, but we have to get better on defense, everybody does. I think we can focus on that for the entire season," Forward Andrew Crawford said.

Mullins Head Coach Mark Gerald: "I think experience with the guards is our strength.... Stacy, Eric, Seqwan, and Andrew, all of them have played varsity since the ninth grade,” says Gerald of his core group of experienced players. Sophomore point guard Eric Smith will begin his fourth season as a starter. “They know what I want, we're still small, but we're looking for ten to eleven players to run fullcourt uptempo,” Gerald says of the high octane roster. Brandon Lewis and Darnell Coleman are two newcomers that could contribute early. “We have some kids that can score, and they might be a little bit too offensive minded. Stacy Wilson can score, but we're trying to get him to complete his game and play hard on defense," Gerald said. Andrew Crawford posted double figures in rebounds, but he will need help from the team on the boards. “I'm trying to get them to realize that when you don't have height, you have to play hard every night," Gerald said, adding "We don't want to be in games 90-96, we want it to be 70-40," regarding a commitment to defense.

Auctioneers Report: Coach Mark Gerald returns with virtually his entire roster intact. The Aucs have plenty of experience and fire power. Chemistry will be the least of their problems as every team member has their own distinct style of playing the game. Team defense will be very important for an undersize squad that relies on perimeter shooting. However, the roster is loaded with gunners, that can also handle the basketball and score easily in transition. Johnathan Elliott, Donte Cooper, and "Chuck" Crawford are solid on the glass, giving the team versatility with front court players that can defend, pass, and shoot. Guard play will be the highlight of the team with Qwan McFarland, Stacy Wilson, and one of the nation's top rated point guards in the class of 2010, Eric Smith. Eighth grader Darnell Coleman is another young phenom getting an early entrance onto the varsity level. Coleman is a gifted guard, with the frame like Seattle Supersonic Kevin Durant. He has the ability to be an effective scorer and rebounder also blessed with court vision.

Marion Basketball Preview

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