Rams search for comfort zone
Published 12:00 am Thursday, November 25, 2004
Improving on last season’s 22-8 mark and regional championship berth may be as simple for the Francis Marion Rams as finding their comfort zone.
The Rams may have just 11 players this season, but it’s the quality and not the quality that makes this team so good. With power and size mixed with outside speed and shooting touch, the Rams appear to have what it takes to be a championship team. That includes a pro set offense that should allow the Rams plenty of open shots.
“We’re going to let all of them shoot in their comfort zone,” Francis Marion coach Woodie Jackson said.
The coach has good reason to be confident. Unlike most teams, Jackson has seen his team in game situations. Prior to the regular season, the Rams had already competed in 18-20 games, Jackson said. They first participated in the Alabama Sports Festival in Huntsville over the summer, where the Rams placed third and garnered bronze medals.
From there, the Rams competed in the University of Alabama-Birmingham Team Camp. They competed against teams from Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi and finished with a 6-3 record.
“We should a little bit of an advantage when we hit the gym,” Jackson said, “because we already know what we’re doing. We’re just getting the kinks out.”
The Rams’ starting five will be captained by senior point guard Blane Tindull. The 5-foot-9 Tindull is expected to be one of the team’s top shooters. The same can be said for senior center/forward Courtney Sewell. At 6-3, Sewell will give the Rams a strong post presence on the boards. Jackson said he can do even more damage from the perimeter.
“Courtney can step out and hit a 15-footer,” Jackson said. “He has the ability to hit a shot from just about anywhere.”
Senior wing guard Brentley Wright (5-11) and senior forward/center Aldin Essex (6-1) round out the starting five.
The quintet should have their share of high-scoring games with the team’s pro set offense, Jackson said.
“With the pro screen offense,” he said, “we’ll be pitching, rolling, screening and interchanging, especially against man-to-man defenses. Against zone defenses, we’ll interchange positions.”
The Rams’ bench includes junior wing guard Kevin Curry (6-1), junior guard/forward Devan Dunnican (6-0), junior guard forward Daveron Dallas (6-3), junior forward Cordaro Melton (6-4), freshman wing guard Edward Hinkel (6-0) and freshman Justin Johnson (5-7).
Jackson said that Hinkel could see a few starts from time to time. The one setback in personnel for the Rams is the loss of 6-foot-3 center/forward Brian Moore, who transferred to Marion Military Institute this season.
In order for all the pieces to fall into place, the Rams must have a combination of team chemistry and hard work. Jackson said his team has shown a willingness to improve in those areas.
“If you don’t work to get that chemistry together,” he said, “most times you can expect to get whooped.
“A lot of people want to win,” Jackson continued. “But very few people want to prepare to win. That’s where the hard work comes in.”
Jackson added that he believes that prayer and hard work will bring a championship. He said anyone who has played for him can give testimony to that.
“When a player plays for me, he’ll be pushed,” Jackson said. “I believe I can get blood from a turnip.”