Indians begin season without full starting five
Putting it up– Senior forward Clayton Medlin shoots a layup during the Indian season opener versus Cooper on Nov. 14. The Indians fell 58-51 to the Pirates.
The basketball misses the hoop, but senior forward Clayton Medlin reaches up, grabs the ball and effortlessly places the basketball in the net for two points as the crowd screams its approval.
Veterans like Medlin couldn’t bridge the gap in the 58-51 loss to Cooper in the season opener on Nov. 14, but the Indians are not at full capacity due to football play off.
“It is a good starting point for the season,” senior guard Carter Laramore said. “Our underclassmen had the opportunity to feel what a varsity game was like, and our upperclassmen…showed leadership. I know we all have a lot more potential because I have seen it in practice.”
The Indians miss key components who are still with the football team.
“It is a waiting game for us,” Coach David Williams said. “We want our guys that we have to get better, but at the end of the day, when we get those guys from football, we are going to be better. As long as we can work together and work hard and not think we’re entitled to something, I think we can make it to state.”
Last year the all-junior team made it to the region finals, but lost on a buzzer beater to Midlothian Heritage.
“Our goal is to win state,” senior guard Carter Johnson said. “We cannot accept anything less because we have the experience, the bond, the work ethic and the talent all there; to not set the goal of making it to state would be a waste.”
To prepare for opponents like Estacado, the Indians will face tough preseason opponents like Frenship and the field at the Whataburger Tournament in Saginaw.
“In our first scrimmage we played the 20th ranked team in 6A,” Laramore said, “To only be down by one point at the end of the third quarter was very encouraging and proved that even without some key people we were able to hold down the fort.”
Against Cooper on Tuesday, Laramore had 12 assists and Medlin racked up 26 points. The Indians did struggle from the three point line, however.
“We definitely need to work on our shooting,” Laramore said. “Last night we only had two three’s.”
So the Indians will play the waiting game without district MVP senior Reese Moore, newcomer of the year senior Cade Barnard and move-in 6’7 sophomore Jalen Brattain. They will face Odessa High in Odessa tonight at 6 p.m.
