New coach Carr has 1 main goal
Carey, Barnes look to guide U-School to second straight title
Jim Carr was handed the keys to a Ferrari.
The first-year coach at University School takes over a team that won the Class 5A state title by 40 points, finished second at the national championship tournament and boasts two of the top players in the nation: Scott Barnes and Vernon Carey Jr.
“We have incredibly talented players here,” Carr said. “Vernon being obviously the focal point of that and a senior; Scott Barnes — it’s corny to say, and it’s a little bit of coachspeak and hackneyed — but it’s a privilege to coach not just those guys [and those guys are elite players] but I’ve got great kids, I’ve got kids who play very hard every day.
“But those two cornerstones of the program have made this [a] very special basketball experience for me.”
Carr, who was an assistant coach at U-School before he was hired as the Sharks’ head coach, knows what’s expected at a program like his.
“It’s been a good transition,” Carr said. “The program itself, we’re exploding. We’re a basketball-crazy school. We’re the biggest sports program at our school, which is unusual — usually it’s football or lacrosse, in terms of numbers and prestige, right now, and expectations.”
Carey, a five-star center and the No. 2 player in the 2019 class, according to 247Sports composite rankings, committed to Duke on Dec. 6 in a ceremony in the school gym.
Barnes is rated the No. 3 overall player and No. 1 small forward in the 2020 class. He holds offers from Florida, Kentucky, Kansas and more.
“I constantly push myself and the guys I coach with to improve their game,” Carr said. “What can we do differently? Are we using them 100 percent right? How do we develop them and still balance winning? Because I want these guys to have 10-15-year NBA careers, which they both could do. It’s a good challenge; it’s a good problem to have.”
U-School is one of three local reigning state champions.
In Class 8A, Blanche Ely will have to replace last year’s large schools player of the year, Michael Forrest, and his 26 points per game. So far this season, the Tigers are getting solid production from juniors Tyrecke Francois (10.3 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game) and Aderes StatonMcCray (a team-best 12.3 points per game) as well as second-team All-County pick Joshua Scott, who is second on the team with 10.7 points per game and tied for the team lead with 4.8 rebounds per game.
The third reigning state title winner is Westminster Academy, which returns two of its key players — Next Five selections Chase Johnston and Sam Griffin. The Lions are off to a hot start this season, winning seven straight games to open the season following a preseason loss to Lakeland. They have already picked up victories against Ely and Wellington.
Deerfield Beach, coming off a close loss to Wellington in the regional finals last season, has won its first four games. So far, the Bucks have gotten excellent production from senior guard Victor Robinson, who is averaging a double-double early in the season (14 points and 11 rebounds per game).
Coral Springs is looking to challenge Deerfield Beach in District 11-9A, with the Bucks handing the Colts their only loss so far this season — a 54-52 defeat on Dec. 6. Cypress Bay, Miramar and Western also look to make noise in Class 9A this season.
In Class 8A, Blanche Ely will once again look to emerge from Region 4, with McArthur and Cooper City — led by Fab Five pick Dallas Graziani — looking to unseat them.
Dillard struggled last season, falling to Northeast in the district tournament, but the Panthers are back and are hot to start this year, rolling to a 6-0 start to begin the season. Although Northeast made it to the regional finals last season, Dillard could be the team to beat in Broward in Class 7A. Boyd Anderson is off to a good start to the season, as well.
Stranahan and American Heritage are two Broward teams to keep an eye on in Class 6A. The Mighty Dragons haven gotten strong early performances from junior guard Dave Herard and senior guard Brian Dugazon to begin the year, while the Patriots, under new coach Fred Battle, feature senior guard Zaire Wade, a Fab Five pick who holds a Nebraska offer.
Among smaller Broward schools, Chaminade-Madonna and Somerset Prep will aim to make playoff runs.
In Palm Beach County, Wellington will look to continue its success under coach Matt Colin. Colin is used to replacing star players, like first-team pick Bryan Williams, who graduated after last season. But Fab Five pick Linton Brown should be able to pick up some of that slack.
Atlantic and Boca Raton also lost key players. The Eagles graduated first-team pick Rodwens Albert and lost R.J. Duhart to transfer, while the Bobcats lost large schools player of the year Cade Long. Boca Raton has struggled early in the season, losing four of its first five games. Lake Worth, led by Fab Five pick Avery Brookes, could also make a splash in Class 9A this year.
District 13-8A could be one of the most interesting districts in Palm Beach County, with Dwyer, Forest Hill, Palm Beach Lakes and Royal Palm Beach vying for the lead. The Falcons and Rams got off to good starts, beginning the season 4-0.
Among smaller schools, Suncoast has begun the season 5-0 and is looking to return to postseason play. Oxbridge Academy should also make the playoffs, with Fab Five picks AJ Cajuste and Dante Wilcox poised for big years.
Benjamin, led by Fab Five selection Ben Lubarsky, is also aiming for a return to the postseason but will likely have to contend with Westminster Academy if they get there.
St. Andrew’s, boasting big man Yussif Basa-ama, is off to a strong start and is hopeful for a return to the postseason after missing the playoffs last year.