For the first time since the 1998-1999 basketball season, T.R. Miller Tiger basketball Ron Jackson finds himself pulling double duty as the boys and girls head basketball coach.
Jackson will help reenergize the struggling boys program at T.R. Miller that went winless last season at 0-21 and 5-17 the year before for a combined record of 5-38 the last two seasons.
The 2010-2011 Tiger team shows 13 players with four seniors, six juniors and three sophomores.
“I really don’t know what to expect as we only have had a few of them practicing since football,” Jackson said. “Tuesday (Nov. 16) was the first day we had all of them out. It is to early to tell what is just going to happen now because I really have not seen them together in action other than in a few drills.”
Jackson said despite the lack of practicing together, his team looks to be athletic.
“We have some athletic kids but we have a bunch of kids that don’t really have any skills,” Jackson said. “Between now and Nov. 30, we are going to need to work and get some skills so we can be competitive. It is a work in progress but I think the kids are excited about it and I am excited about it. We have a lot of enthusiasm which is always good.”
Making the roster for the Tigers this year are seniors Darryus Jackson, Anthony Herbert, Antonio Payne and Devonte Jones.
Juniors include Kameron Winn, Darrion Salter, Caleb Dickey, Marc Edge, Jerric Woods and Jawann Darby. Caleb Hubbard, Mark Bryant and Aaron Yuhasz make up the three sophomores for the team.
“The only returning players that I can recall is Antonio Payne, Caleb Dickey and Mark Bryant from last year,” Jackson said. “I think Caleb and Mark were on the B-team but ended up playing varsity and they should see a lot of playing time this year.
“The rest of them, Marc Edge played some last year as well, but there are others with playing experience so hopefully that will carry over and we will show some leadership and work hard this year.”
Jackson said the key to success for the team this year will be an easy recipe.
“Hard work and defense is the key,” Jackson said. “If we can play good defense and work hard and get after some folks, we will win some ball games.”