Bobcats looking to rebound this season
With a roster consisting of mostly freshmen, the Georgia Northwestern Bobcats struggled to a 4-19 overall record last season, just one year removed from a 12-12 campaign.
However, the Navy-and-silver showed signs of adjusting to the world of college basketball as the season progressed and, although it was not reflected in the win total, head coach David Stephenson said the Bobcats played significantly better in the second half of the season.
Now he’s hoping the lessons learned from last year will pay off for his returning players. Team captain, Sophomore J.T. Langford
is one of the team’s most improved players and will serve as a captain for the upcoming season. The 6-foot-4 swing man has shooting guard skills, but can also play on the wing and in the post.
Langford is one of three returning Bobcats who saw significant action a year ago.
Sophomore Cole Mckeehan will give the Bobcats a perimeter threat at the shooting guard spot, while speedy sophomore point guard Justin Smith
is back to help run the offense again. “It’s nice to have those three back and it’s going to help,” Stephenson said. “So far, this team appears to be very smart and very together. Like our women’s team, I think the key is how quickly the new players can adjust to the physicality of the college game.”
Among the new players on this year’s roster or a pair of players from Trion High School in freshmen Jarret Gill and Jayce Harris Both are among the team’s biggest and hardest-working players. While they will see significant action in the post, both are more than capable of shooting the ball from the perimeter.
Representing Gordon Lee High School will be freshmen Hayden Murphy and Kannen Derryberry
Both can play at the shooting guard or at a wing spot. Murphy is a heady, hard-working player and Derryberry has both length and athleticism and should be able to help the Bobcats on the press. Both are also outstanding 3-point shooters.
Despite being a little undersized at 6-foot1, freshman Mark Chester could see part of his time in the post for the Bobcats. Chester played some at the post for Cass High School and he is the first former Colonel to ever suit up for Georgia Northwestern.