Area high school basketball teams will be tipping off the local basketball season in a few days and coaches have high expectations for the season.
At Vance Charter, head basketball coach Taron Downey is optimistic about the Knights. “The future is bright,” Downey said on Wednesday’s SportsTalk. “We have young guys but one of the best groups I’ve had,” Downey continued. Only three seniors will return to the Knights this season. While he has high expectations of his team he knows that teams from Voyager and Henderson Collegiate will pose problems. “Our young guys don’t know what to expect. If I can get a guy to make a jump shot we will be OK,” Downey stated. They start off the season with a matchup on the road against East Wake Academy on Monday night. Tomorrow (Thursday) they will take part in a Night Out with The Knights, 6pm, at the Vance Charter Gym with plenty of food and some fun on the court to give players, students, parents and kids a chance to enjoy a fun evening.
J.F. Webb’s head coach, Alex Tharpe, expects his team will improve from last year’s 14-10 regular season record. While they made the state playoffs last year, he says it will be a somewhat different team this year. “We will have a different look. We want to run and push the tempo,” Tharpe said on Wednesday’s SportsTalk. Of course J.F. Webb will have to contend with a strong Southern Durham team this season that usually dominates the conference. The Warriors will return six seniors, one of whom is a starter. Webb is also preparing for the South Granville holiday basketball tournament next month. Before that can happen, they must prepare for opening night this Friday at Oxford Prep. “It’s one of the best Oxford Prep teams I’ve seen,” Tharpe said of his opening game opponent.
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