Yellow Jackets make final push for playoff berth
By C.R. Cumbee
Staff Writer
Andrews—The last two years have been up and down for the Andrews boys’ basketball team. They tied for the region title two years ago but didn’t make the playoffs last season. Currently the Yellow Jackets are 9-12 overall and sit in a three-way tie for third place in the region with a 2-3 record.
“We can’t take a play off, bottom line. Overall, we’re in an extremely difficult region where everybody has good players. There’s no weak teams but there are no dominant teams either. We’ve got to keep playing hard these final three games and know that if we get a lead, we can’t just relax or it will go away,” head coach Kevin Branham said.
If the Yellow Jackets are to get in the playoffs, they’ll need continued contributions from senior guard Harold Langley, who averages 26 points per game.
“The day before the season started last year, he tore his ACL in a pick-up game and missed the whole year. He’s been playing for us since he was a freshman so we expected big things out of him. Everybody knows about him in this area so other teams are keying on him, but he’s still finding ways to score and is playing really well right now,” Branham said.
Andrews has also gotten solid play in the post, with junior forwards Travis Collins and Monte McCrea averaging 9.5 points and 8.5 rebounds a night.
“We look to get the ball inside and they do three things really well. They can finish when they get it down low, they run the court well in transition, and they rebound and attack the boards extremely hard. When they do those things, they’re going to get their numbers,” Branham said.
Also in the starting lineup for the Yellow Jackets is senior wing Rodquel Davis and senior guard Ervin Heard.
Getting significant minutes in reserve roles are senior guard Tyre’ Scott, senior center Neal Pope, senior guard/forward Keon Williams and junior guard D.J. Lawrence. Guards Jojo Grant, Jackie Williams and Tyresse Johnson make up the rest of the roster.
Andrews will travel to Timberland before returning home to face Manning on Senior Night. The team’s final regular season game is at Lake City.
Contact C.R. at crcumbee2007@hotmail.com.
