The North Pike High School basketball team lost six seniors from last season and have a lot of youth and inexperience, but head coach Keith Russ’ goals remain to succeed remain the same for the 2014-15 season and is confident his young athletes are capable of getting the job done.
“Hopefully, we’ll have some depth,” Russ said. “With the inexperienced guys, hopefully, they’ll step up each game week by week.”
The Jaguars (16-11, 6-4 in 2013-14) advanced to the first round of the playoffs last season. They were third in district play during the regular season and fourth in the district tournament.
The two senior leaders will be shooting guard Matthew Owens and point guard Mohammad Mohammad.
Football players who are expected to be on the basketball team are senior small forward Ladarius Dunn, junior center Javian Jackson and junior power forward and center Juwan Adams.
Adams did not play last year much due to injuries, but Russ said he expects to use him more in 2014-15.
Sophomore shooting guard Jacob Deere and point guard DeMario Wells were on the junior varsity team last season.
“Hopefully, we’ll get some other guys to step up throughout the season,” Russ said. “I think they’re capable of doing the job. We’ve just got to get there quickly. They did a good job with JV last year, but it’s a different level with varsity, but I think they can step up, help us out and give us some depth we need.”
Russ said he does not tell his system because he does not want his opponents to read what he might possibly do.
“We’re going to get after it, hopefully,” Russ said. “Hopefully, we’ll play good, strong defense. That’s what we’re looking forward to doing.”
Last year, Russ said the seniors were together since they were freshmen and did a tremendous job.
“Hopefully, that will keep on going with this sophomore and junior bunch here that’s here this year,” Russ said. “Hopefully, we can continue to build that winning tradition further.”
Russ said he still believes North Pike can win the district and advance to the state tournament.
The Jaguars open the season Nov. 14 at Franklin County. Prior to district play, they are in a tournament at South Pike Nov. 24-25 and at McComb Dec. 29-31. They are not overlooking any opponent.
“All games are important, no matter if they’re a non-conference or conference game because, one, want to build confidence throughout each game so every game to us is very important,” Russ said.
“We want to take each game one day at a time or each week one day at a time or each practice one day at a time. We want to get better throughout the season and we want to be on a good rhythm in February. That’s our main goal is working towards getting hot at the right time, getting hot in February. Normally, February is your measuring stick. If you can get hot in late January or February going on into the district tournament, you’re looking that maybe you can get in the playoffs and get a higher seed.”
Russ said every game will be a measuring stick for the Jaguars because he treats all opponents the same. However, McComb, Tylertown and Brookhaven will also be measuring sticks because they are big rivals.
North Pike is spending its time preparing for the upcoming season.
“Each day, we try to get in and learn the fundamentals, learn the basics for what we’re doing,” Russ said. “Right now, we’re moving at a slower pace than I want to, but each day we’re getting better.
“We’re still working on that effort. We’ve still got a long ways to go. Maturity comes in a lot with some of these young guys. If we can get mature at a faster pace, that will help us throughout the season in finding out what we can and what we can’t do.”
Russ said he plans to make his decisions on the starting lineup the week of the season-opener.
“Every position is competition and every position is open,” Russ said.
