MCJH Boys Basketball Preview

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Maddox Crowder

Football season is over, which means its basketball time. This is a basketball interview from coach Marty Maxfield. We wanted to ask him a few questions about his team and what we can expect from the boys this season.

 

Q: Do you have a coaching philosophy? If so, what is it?

A: My main objective is to instill character within each player that will not only make him successful on the court but also in life. Toughness, Intensity, Teamwork, Character, and Discipline will be our core values.  This is who we are and what we want to be.

Q: What will be your team’s strength this season?

A: Speed and defense. Our defense will be what separates us from all other teams.

Q: How do you keep your team motivated?

A: They should be self motivated each time they step on he floor because there is a lot of pride and honor in getting to wear that blue and white uniform and representing Macon County.  When we are at practice, the coaching staff works hard to motivate them by making drills challenging and competitive.

Q: Can you give us a preview of your varsity team or key players who will be instrumental to the success of the team this season?

A: Our Varsity has a good balance of posts and guards. We will have great leadership with Dalton Hudson on the floor and with Parker Maddox when he returns to game action.

Dalton will be our anchor inside, and this is a role that he can excel at. With his basketball IQ and skills, Dalton has the potential to be the dominating post player in our area.  Zach Borders will run the point for us this year.  Zach has taken this challenge with ease and does an outstanding job of setting our offense and breaking the defense down with his dribble. Gabe Borders is deadly from the 3 point line but can easily drive and get to the basket. Braylon Flowers is also a deep threat but has potential to score at will with his midrange jump shot.  Brody Frye is our work horse on the team.  Brody is aggressive and plays hard every play.  He does not care to mix it up with any player and you will see him fighting on every possession for the rebound.  Parker Maddox is one of the best finishers around the goal on the team but can also knock down the midrange jumper.

All three of our starting guards are tenacious on defense and creates a lot of havoc that frustrates their opponent.

We have good depth on the team with Eli Mercer and Brady Driver both being threats from the three point line.  Ty Young is a spark off the bench and brings defense, rebounding, and hustle to the floor.  John Marsh, Caleb Escue, and Logan Bandy have improved greatly since the summer and will give us the depth we need in the post.  All three are very physical and do a great job on defense and rebounding.

I was told once by a coach that you’re only as strong as your weakest player.  At this moment I can’t tell you who that is because everyone is working hard and has improved greatly since this summer.

Q: Anything you would like to add to your basketball preview that we haven’t covered already?

A: I know the Varsity will garner much of the attention, but our Junior Varsity is the part of our team that does not need to be overlooked.  They work hard everyday to improve themselves individually, but they also push and challenge our Varsity each day to play above their potential.

Last but definitely not least, I have a great coaching Staff.  The wealth of knowledge that Coach Carter and Coach Wilkerson bring to this team is second to none.  They both have stepped in and kept this team progressing during those days and weeks I was unable to be there.  Both of them take pride in what they do and have a love for this team and community that can’t be surpassed.  Both of them have been a blessing to me, and I thank God for them.

Q: Anything you would like to quote specifically or say to the student body/public?

A: Right now you are going to see a team that is young in experience, but at the same time, a team that will be fun to watch.  You will get to see them grow each game and watch them reach their full potential by tournament time.  This is a team that Macon County will be proud of!

 

Here is a gallery of images from MCJH’s  victory over Smith County boys on November 11, 2019. If you ever have photos from the basketball games, feel free to email them to Tiger Talk!

Photos courtesy of: Monica Wilkerson