Basketball Canes Anxious to Play
The Monticello Hurricane basketball teams are ready to play, and looking forward to the season which began last Saturday with a scrimmage at Greene County.
The first game of the season will be next Friday, Nov. 30 versus GMC at home. The games begin with Junior Varsity at 4 p.m. and Varsity at 7 p.m.
Before the season begins, I talked with the players that you can look forward to seeing on the court this season.
The Hurricanes are coached by Ernest Scott, assisted by Johnny Williams and Alton Standifer. The coaches and players were interviewed about the season, their outlook, and what they want to get accomplished.
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The Varsity ’Canes include seniors, De’Atrius Stone, wearing 3 on his jersey playing point and shooting guard, said “I am ready to get our there with the team. We are all wearing bracelets that say unfinished business. We’ve worked hard and deserve to win.”
Mr. Stone was referring to their loss in the game just before the region playoffs last season. The bracelets are a motivator which keep the guys focused on the mission to make the playoffs.
Cordea Dennis, small forward, number 12 said, “Offense wins games, and defense wins championships. We’re going to be region and state champs this year. I invite everyone to come out and support us in this journey.”
Jaquavious Standifer, power forward and center, number 20, said, “Talent wins games, teamwork wins championships. We’re going to take it one game at a time and win region and advance to state. We are going to the state championships this year.”
Quintavius Sanders, senior small and power forward wearing number 14 said, “We’ve got to play hard to win the Championship. We’re all working hard, and deserve to win.”
The juniors on the team make up the largest class. Here they tell their hopes for the season are huge.
Chris Porter, ’Cane center wearing number 15 told me, “Personally, I want to stay on top of my defense. We have these wristbands which encourage us to go to state. We’ve got to come together and we can. We’ve got the team to do it this year.”
Point guard, Tra Jackson wearing number 5 said “This year we are working hard as a team to accomplish a region win and move on to state. We’re working a lot harder in practice, we play and practice as a team. Our energy level is up and I can’t wait to get on the court.”
Qua Thurmond, junior power forward, wearing 24 said, “I am looking forward to a good season. We’ve got a good team. We’re the entire package—good team, good grades, good attitudes and school oriented. We just have to remember no pain no gain and keep working.”
Number 10, Deon Epps, guard said, “I’m looking forward to a winning season. We work hard every practice. We deserve a winning season. Monticello deserves a winning team again, its been too long. I also want to thank all of our coaches for putting in the work with us.”
Yuri Clay, guard and number 22 said, “This year we’ve got unfinished business, just as our bands say. We missed the playoffs by one game. We’re looking forward to winning region and going on to state.”
DeAndre Stokes, number 31 center said, “I am looking forward to putting Monticello back on the map. We’re working hard everyday. We’re trying our best to get to state, we want that state ring.”
Aaron Newton, shooting guard and number 11 said, “I am hoping to make it to state, we’ve got some unfinished business to take care of.”
Jaylan Sands, shooting guard and number 13 told me, “We are going to win region and win state. We’ve been working hard.”
Quinton Standifer, point guard wearing number 4, said “We’ve been working hard and hopefully get a region win this year. We just have to continue working hard and working together. We’ve got to stick together on and off the court and build a successful program for years to come.”
Jakari Middlebrooks, power forward and lone sophomore wearing number 21 said, “We’ve worked hard and we’re ready for the season.”
Jordan Stone, freshman point guard and number 23 said, “I’ve been working on jump shots and looking forward to a great season. We have to keep in mind that sometimes failures lead to successes.”
The teams are assisted by Kenny Moore.