Following a 12-15 season last year that saw Jacksonville knocked out of the area tournament in the first round by Cherokee County High School, the Eagles appear to be bringing much more to the court this season.
Maturity and experience will be on their side. Jacksonville played last year with no seniors and with only one player, Tristan Garmon, having had any varsity playing experience.
This year, second year Head coach Anthony Kingston has much more experience on his side. Kingston's squad consists of 13 players: 11 seniors, one junior and a sophomore. Senior captain Ethan Maske, who is being looked at by several colleges, will return at the guard position. Maske led the Eagles in scoring averaging almost 19 points a game and also led in assists with just under four per game. He also pulled down an average of over five rebounds a game.
"Ethan is a competitor," says Kingston of his speedy guard. "He leads by example."
Garmon will be back at the post position. At 6'6" Garmon, a senior, is a force to be dealt with under the basket, averaging a double-double per game scoring at just over 14 points and bringing down almost 12 rebounds each game.
Kingston is looking to get a lot of help from returnees co-captain Deonte Elston, twins Nick and Robert Quinn, Jervon Cowden and junior Jordan Shelvin.
New to the Eagles' squad this year are seniors Josh Willis, Knox Newell and Micah Maxwell. Sophomore Tyler Ross has also been moved up to the varsity squad. Seniors Micah Shelvin and Hunter Green will also see action for the Eagles.
Look for Jacksonville, which lost nine of their games by six points or less last year, to finish off their games stronger this year.
"We have gotten better," says Kingston. "I think we have more knowledge of the game and that should help us in the trenches of the game."
The Eagles will be in the same area as always strong Alexandria, Cherokee County and Hokes Bluff. Look for Jacksonville to be a strong contender for the area crown.
Jacksonville Lady Eagles
Already in her fourth year of varsity basketball, sophomore Lacey Buchanon will lead her Lady Eagles into the opening game against White Plains tonight.
Buchanon averaged 18 points per game along with almost five rebounds and three steals for Jacksonville last year.
Head Coach Jeremy Harper is quick to praise his sophomore guard. "Lacey obviously is a very talented player for us. She brings a lot of things to the table. She can do just about anything you ask her to."
Buchanon will be joined by returnees Meagan Snider, the only senior on the Lady Eagles squad this year and Sharon Osterbind, a ninth grader.
Snider averaged ll points for the Lady Eagles last year while Osterbind, in the post, put in seven points a game while pulling down just under nine rebounds a game.
Jacksonville will also be assisted by Lakken Wood, who averaged five rebounds a game.
The Lady Eagles, who lost in the opening game of the area tournament last year to top seeded Holes Bluff, should be much stronger this year. "We have three or four girls that have played together for a couple of years," says Head Coach Jeremy Harper, "and anytime that you can build up confidence in each other and know how each other plays and what to expect it makes it a lot easier."
Harper, who has only nine girls on his varsity squad, says that he has a lot of girls off the junior high team that are going to have to step up. "The start of the season will be rough," says Harper. "It will be a 'deer in the headlights' type of deal."
Harper expects a lot out of ninth graders Kenyatta Erwin, Malikka Nation, Sarah Jo Harsch, Holly Marbutt and junior newcomer Amaris Elston.
Jacksonville Christian Academy
Varsity Boys
The Thunder's varsity basketball team suffered heavy losses due to graduation losing Andrew Bollinger, Jeremy Satcher and Freddy Fears.
JCA will be very thin in numbers this year as the high school only has an enrollment of 48 students.
Coach Tommy Miller will dress out three junior high boys this year to help complete his squad.
Miller will rely heavily on senior Jacob Bollinger, a 6'6" post player who averaged 14 points per game last season, guard Caleb Prickett, junior Aaron McCormack and junior Matt Crook.
Also helping out the team will be seniors John Robinson, Payton Green and Hunter Gross.
Two seventh graders, Hunter Reeves and Daylon Brackett and ninth grader Carson Callender will also be called up on the help out the team.
While the Thunder had a winning record (16-11) last year, they did not make it out of the area.
JCA plays in the same area as Ragland, Coosa Christian, Victory Christian, and Sacred Heart.
The Thunder will open up their season Thursday at the Georgia School for the Deaf.
B>Jacksonville Christian Academy
Varsity Girls
Coach Tommy Miller returns top-scoring junior Katy Miller, ninth grader Abby Jaskowski and sophomore Kandace Postell to his Thunder team this year.
Miller, who has been a top player on the team since the seventh grade, averaged just shy of 24 points per game last season.
The Thunder (18-12) finished second in their area last year getting beat in sub-region action by Jefferson Christian.
Coach Miller feels that team unity will be the strength for his team this year.
Miller looks to senior Bethany Bridges to get a lot of playing time this year as will Daica Wilson, Anna Crook, Courtney Russaw, Taylor Walker, Jaleesa Mitchell and Maggie Ray.
The Thunder will play Thursday at the Georgia School for the Deaf.
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