RIDGELAND PANTHERS

son, has gotten physically bigger and stronger than last year. Carver can play at point guard or at small forward. Another outstanding athlete, Jordan Blackwell, will play at shooting guard or on the wing and will help the Panthers with the press.

The sophomores will consist of Khris Walker, who is penciled in as the team starting point guard to begin the season. Backup point guard Nate Davis could also see some early playing time, while Jordan Mclin will add depth at the three spot. Post player Kobe Lewis also possesses a good outside shot, while Lenard Pullom could see some spot duty with the varsity this season.

As far as the freshman class goes, King feels that Zack Harrison could see some varsity minutes at the 3-spot, while the rest of the class consists of Amarreon Turner, Lamarcus Bailey, K’yan Clark, Tye Whaley, Chris Maddeaux and Maneniki Brown.

Michael Baker will once again return to assist King on the bench and they will be joined this year by Ridgeland graduate Darrell Bridges, whom King says has been a big positive influence with the players in his first year as a basketball coach.

“The thing for us is how well we start to gel,” King said. “I’m not expecting us to be completely gelled early. It’s going to take us some time. But I do think we’re going to shoot much better from the 3-point line this year and that’s one thing that’s desperately needed.

“We could put three or four shooters on the floor at the same time. We just have to make sure the other stuff, like ball-handling, rebounding and things like that, don’t suffer. Those are things you really can’t tell if you’re any good at until you play another team.

“But we know that we will have a post game, so if the point guard position and our shooters work out, then it should be a good year.”