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Dogs to be more guard-oriented
Published November 21, 2009
The Geraldine varsity boys basketball team’s 2009-10 roster features 10 seniors and two juniors.
Seniors are forward Carlos Benitez, guard Matthew Cole, forward Jonathan Day, guard Tylar Johnson, guard Daniel McClendon, guard Zach Painter, center Jake Richey, guard Ty Rooks, guard Wade Williams and forward Clint Willoughby.
The team has two juniors — guard Tyler Malone and forward Ryan Treadaway.
The Bulldogs’ returning lettermen are Cole, Malone, Richey, Rooks and Willoughby.
“Cole returns as the starting point guard. His experience should be key for us,” said GHS head coach Cale Black.
“Malone was the leading scorer for us last year. Rooks was the leader in steals.
“Jake Richey will be called upon to give us some stability on the inside, while Willoughby will be used inside and outside.”
Black said the Bulldogs will be a more guard-oriented team this season. Geraldine tipped off its season Friday night at Sardis.
“We hope to play a more up-tempo style this season,” Black said.
“We may not be able to play it from the beginning, but we hope to press and push the ball more as we play our way into shape as the season moves along.
“We need to play together well, and we must have some players to step up and become leaders for us.”
Black expects the Bulldogs’ strengths to be quickness and experience at the guard positions.
“We should have enough depth to help us play a little faster,” he said. “We need to be able to create scoring opportunities off our defensive pressure.
“We have been shooting the ball pretty well, and hopefully that will carry over throughout the year.”
Geraldine competes in Class 2A, Area 12 with Sand Rock, West End and Westbrook Christian.
The Bulldogs finished as the area tournament runner-up last season.
“The area race should be a competitive one,” Black said. “Sand Rock and Westbrook both return many players from last year, and they should be good.
“Sand Rock has the experience of playing through the regional and reaching the Final Four.
“West End will be young, but I know they will be competitive. I feel that it will be a very balanced area.”
Black sees Fyffe and Crossville as the favorites in the race for the DeKalb County championship.
Geraldine won back-to-back county titles in 2002-03. Crossville has won the last six tournament crowns.
“Fyffe will probably be the favorite,” Black said. “They have many lettermen returning, with a good inside and outside combination.
“Of course, Crossville has won many titles in a row. So until someone can knock them off, they have to be a favorite too.”
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