Basketball preview

WHITMIRE - LaMarcus Lindsay will be a leader for the Wolverines' basketball team.

Lindsay is a junior point guard and an all region performer. He has been a starter since his freshman year.

“Marcus is a tremendous athlete that plays with lots of intensity on the court,” said coach Eric Thompson. “He gives you everything he has.”

Coaches also expect big things from Alan Glenn, a junior forward.

“Alan has worked extremely hard on his game,” said Thompson. “He has developed the ability to step outside the paint and contribute well.”

The rest of the starting lineup is: PJ Davis (guard, jr.), Jarrell Smalls (guard, sr.) and Joseph Brown (forward, jr.).

Others who will contribute are: Blake Chick (center, sr.); Jonathanray Browning (forward, so.); Doug Inman (guard, fr.) and Brandon Crumpton (forward, so.).

Whitmire was 6-17 overall last year, 3-7 and fourth in Region II-A. The conference will be tough again. Landrum is the preseason No. 5 team, Blacksburg is down from Class 2A, Christ Church and Greenville Tech look strong, while Southside Christian returned everyone and looked good in the summer.

The Wolverines look to be more competitive.

“I feel like we can be competitive,” said Thompson. “We have an athletic team that gives you everything they have.”

It won't be easy, as Whitmire lost four seniors to graduation, 70 percent of its offense.

“Anytime that happens there are questions to be answered,” said Thompson. “I am confident in our guys' ability to step up and fill in those vacated spots.”

A plus for Whitmire is a new gym.

“We are excited about opening the season in a new gym, said Thompson.

Other positives are an abundance of guards and an up-tempo game.

Weaknesses could be size and depth. The group is undersized compared to most teams it will face and younger players are working hard to provide depth.

Youth is the variable.

“I'm not sure if it's a weakness or not, because some of our guys have lots of energy and are ready to change things around here.”

Last year, the Wolverines made the playoffs for the first time in seven years. They look build on that this time around.

LADY WOLVERINES

Kim Geyer was voted as one of the top 5 players in the state. She looks to show the competition why, as she leads the Lady Wolverines this season.

“Kim Geyer is a beast on the court,” said coach Kim Shelton. “She has expectations that her teammates have placed on her. She must exceed those expectations this year.”

In addition to Geyer, Whitmire's returning starters are: seniors Elaina Alcocer and Brittany Duncan, and junior Jocelyn Hopp.

Lyndie McDaniel, a junior, also will contribute.

The starting lineup isn't set, as Shelton looks for chemistry.

The Lady Wolves were 15-6 overall and finished second in the region last year.

“The region looks the same,” said Shelton. “It's open. We know we can clinch the No. 1 spot.”

That's got Whitmire excited.

“I feel great going in,” said Shelton. “I will miss the leadership of the seniors from last year's team, but I have a solid group and they want it.”

Team strengths are experience and dedication. Shelton looks for the team to improve the outside game and control of tempo.

“As a team, the girls recognize their abilities,” she said. “They have been with me since JV. They know what is expected of them from their teammates, coaches and community. They hate losing and will do whatever it takes to make this season the best it can be.”

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2008-09 Whitmire Basketball Schedule

Dec. 1: Newberry, 6

Dec. 2: Saluda, 6

Dec. 5: at Newberry Academy, 6

Dec. 9: at Mid-Carolina, 6

Dec. 13: at Newberry, 6

Dec. 16: Mid-Carolina, 6

Dec. 19: at Blacksburg, 6:30

Jan. 2-3: at Newberry Academy

Jan. 6: SCSDB, 6:30

Jan. 9: at Christ Church, 6:30

Jan. 13: Landrum, 6

Jan. 16: Southside Christian, 6:30

Jan. 20: Greenville Tech, 6:30

Jan. 23: Blacksburg, 6:30

Jan. 24: Newberry Academy, 6

Jan. 27: at Saluda, 6

Jan. 29: at SCSDB, 6

Feb. 3: Christ Church, 6:30

Feb. 6: at Landrum, 6

Feb. 10: at Southside Christian, 6

Feb. 12: at Greenville Tech, 6:30