Editor’s note: This is an opinion column.
By Bobby Mathews, Sports Editor
The first part of the season – the time when coaches are getting to see exactly what they’ve got – is over, washed away like all of those New Year’s resolutions you didn’t really mean.
Now it’s time for area play, and coaches have to see what they’ve really got. Area standings tell you who’s going to the playoffs, and who’s … well … not. There’s some really good basketball being played in The Tribune’s coverage area right now, and some teams who have started the season a little down on their luck.
First up, we’ve got to talk about Springville. The Tigers have an 11-2 record going into tonight’s game against Leeds, and even though the Green Wave will provide a staunch test, Springville is probably going to come out on top in that one. The Tigers are playing some serious defense, and they’re scoring enough to get the job done on the offensive side.
First-year coach Jeremy Monceaux has the Springville faithful believing, and the Tigers’ house is rocking for home games. It’s a difficult place to play, and a nearly impossible place to win. Just ask Hewitt-Trussville, which lost a double-digit lead and the game during a contest there in December.
Leeds is looking really, really good, too. Senior Jamal Jordan is scoring a good bit, and when he goes quiet, Tanner Chambers has picked up the pace. The Green Wave has a 9-4 record right now, and they’re playing a nasty team defense. They’re hard-nosed, and Mekhi Jones and Ford Barnes can rebound and block shots. When they’re playing well, Leeds is going to give anyone a contest.
Let’s talk about Hewitt-Trussville. The Huskies’ record is 5-15 after starting the season 3-0. It’s been a tough row to hoe for Coach Jeff Baker and his squad, but the hardest thing may be that Hewitt-Trussville has come up on the short end of the scoreboard in so many close games. The Huskies don’t have great height, and there are teams who will be more athletic. But those kids are working their tails off.
Early on, I’m particularly impressed with Tyler Blake and Legion Gaston, who have both come up big from three-point land, as well as Ray Rolley’s ability to slash inside. To turn things around, though, the Huskies are going to have to play more physical down the stretch and learn how to turn those close losses into close victories.
Pinson Valley is another team that has looked strong so far this season. The Indians are 12-6 and will play a tough area game against Clay-Chalkville this Friday night. Pinson Valley is loaded with good talent. BJ Diakite is a tough player on the inside and Terry Coner Jr. has been tremendously impressive. Isaiah Sims has been out with an injury. When he can come back, he’ll bring much needed leadership back to the floor for Pinson Valley.
That brings us to Clay-Chalkville. First-year coach Chris Richardson has the Cougars close in every game. They nearly beat Leeds during a holiday tournament, and in fact had the Green Wave on the ropes. The Cougars are having some growing pains, but they look to be on the right track. Their challenge is going to be playing with poise when the other team makes a run late in the game. It’s a long season, though, and the Cougars can still right the ship.
Speaking of righting the ship, Center Point looked to have a rough go of it early, but head coach Rodney Chatman has the Eagles at 8-8 right now, and most importantly he’s got them at 3-0 in area play. Center Point went deep into the AHSAA tournament last season, and there’s no reason they can’t do it again, as long as they keep improving. Chatman has tweaked his lineup and the resulting chemistry seems to be working for the Eagles.
Moody continues to play well. The Blue Devils are 10-6 overall, but 1-2 in area play. They’ll need Mason Trimm, who is tremendously talented, to play to his potential consistently, but Moody has something that a lot of teams in the area don’t: great height. Carson Dillashaw, Mason Myers and Davion Dozier are all well over six feet tall and will give teams problems down the stretch.
Bobby Mathews is the sports editor at The Tribune. Reach him at bobby.mathews@trussvilletribune.com or @bobbymathews on Twitter.