Cavaliers hope to play best ball at end of season

By C.R. Cumbee

Staff Writer

St. Matthews—The cliché is not to peak until the end of the season.  After struggling out of the gates this season, that’s what head coach Scott Weaver is focused on with the Calhoun Academy boys basketball team.

“We’re trying to get better every day.  Our record doesn’t really matter that much to me at this point in time.  You’re not concerned with how good you are in November and December, you want to be playing your best ball come region tournament time in February,” Weaver said.

The Cavaliers are 1-4 through their first five games, with the lone win coming against W.W. King Academy.

“We’ve been real competitive in every game, we just haven’t learned how to win yet.  We’ve been in position going into the fourth quarter where we’re up by two or three but haven’t been able to close the deal.  I think that will just come with time.  It may not come as soon as I’d like, but they’ll figure it out,” Weaver said.

Calhoun Academy is led by its only senior, power forward Will Rhame, who averages a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds per game.

“He was an All-Region and all-area player last year, he’s our captain and a three-year starter.  As he goes, we go.  He’s not really the vocal type, he mainly leads through example.  In every drill that we do, he’s the one that sets the tone.  I’ve been really pleased with the way he’s played,” Weaver said.

The only other returning starter for the Cavaliers is junior point guard Jesse Reeves.  He’s the only other player averaging double figures, scoring 10 points a night.

“He has a lot of potential.  He can get the ball to the hole and he’s probably our second-leading rebounder.  He’s a competitor and his biggest strength is that he hates to lose,” Weaver said.

Also in the initial five is freshman guard Wyatt Rucker, sophomore guard Tucker McGee and sophomore guard Ryan Sandifer.  Playing a four guard lineup has had some drawbacks for the head coach.

“It’s been tough, matchup-wise.  When other teams go with two bigs, it’s hard to match up.  We just try to counter that by being up-tempo and focus on our strengths instead of our weaknesses,” Weaver said.

Other members of the squad this year include sophomore forward Zane Gray, sophomore guard Griffin Creekmoore and junior forwards Travis Carn, Nick Haynes and Tanner Young.

Calhoun Academy will look to add to the win column in the coming weeks as they travel to St. John’s Christian before returning home Dec. 16 to face Dorchester Academy.

Contact C.R. at crcumbee2007@hotmail.com.