TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Sophomores Key To King's Success

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHANNING POOLE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 2, 2009

Updated: 03/02/2009 11:11 pm

TAMPA - While senior Toarlyn Fitzpatrick has led the King High boys basketball team in points and rebounds this season, the Lions are getting large contributions from a pair of sophomores.

Point guard Chauncey Day and forward Reshard Brown, the team's sixth man, have been key components in their team's success. Day averages 7.3 points and 2.3 assists per game, while Brown averages 8.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.

Day's game is built around constant pressure on defense and control on offense. As the main ball handler, Day knows he has to be the leader for the King offense, despite being an underclassman. He has to make quick decisions as to when and where to distribute the ball, as well as choosing when to drive the lane for one of his patented floaters.

"Being a sophomore, it was hard at first," said Day, "but as the point guard, I have to make everything come together."

As for his aggressive style of defensive play, Day said it simply comes with being a member of the Lions.

"That's every game," he said. "We've got a swarming defense every game."

Brown is also a key ingredient to King's defense, yet his offensive involvement centers more around his shooting ability.

"As a sophomore, they expect me to go big off the bench, and go big at all times," Brown said. "Coach Sam Lanier likes to put me in the game in the clutch."

Wednesday against top-seeded Gainesville in the state semifinals, both Day's ability to run the Lions' offense and Brown's knack for remaining calm in the clutch could prove to be key.

While Day and Brown are focused on this year's team, they hope to be the nucleus of a strong King team for the next two years.

"We are planning on going to states the next two years, too," Day said.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT