Latta – For someone who is used to winning a lot of basketball games at Latta High School, this has not been an easy season for first-year head coach Chris Page.
“We’ve struggled this season,” said Page, who is in his first season as the boys basketball head coach at his alma mater where he was a star player on a state championship team.
The Vikings won only three of their first 17 games and started 1-5 in Region 6-Class A.
“No, I do not believe we are playing to our full potential,” Page said “Honestly we are far below it. I’m a first-year head coach implementing lots of changes, but it’s hard to win when my team is averaging 28.5 turnovers a game, the thing people aren’t looking at. The team has great potential but turnovers and playing consistent is really hurting us right now.”
Seniors Dorian Griffin and Pernell Legette were the two returning starters Page inherited. Griffin led the team in scoring at 12.4 points per game to go with 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals. Legette was averaging 7.2 points.
The other starters are senior Elijah Jones and juniors Amir Rogers and Seth Minshew. Rogers is the leading rebounder at 7.1 while scoring at a 12.1 clip. Jones is averaging 2.9 points and 3.1 rebounds, and Minshew is averaging 2.9 pints and 3.3 rebounds.
Others in the rotation are sophomore Isaiah McRae (4.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg), sophomore JP Bley (3.2 ppg), junior Lacoree Timmons (3.4 ppg) and sophomore Heath Mew.
“If we stop turning the ball over, play defense and score consistently, my team can and will be very successful,” Page said.
LATTA GIRLS START 4-2 IN REGION
The Latta girls basketball team won just seven of its first 17 games, but started 4-2 in region play.
Head coach Sandra Gomillion said her team had some good reasons for a slow start.
“I would have liked to have won more games in the preseason,” said Gomillion, who said she doesn’t have a set starting lineup. “We have dealt with injuries and sickness this season. I have only had the entire quad for one game.”
The Lady Vikings have eight players who had played in at least 10 games. Senior Shawniza Bethea was the leading scorer with a 14.8 average. She was also averaging 5.5 steals, 5.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
Junior Azarriona McRae leads in rebounding at 9.1 while scoring at a 3.4 clip. Junior Kardae McFadden is averaging 5.6 points and 6.6 rebounds, freshman Jeziyah Page was averaging 5.6 points and 2.9 steals, and junior Layla Hyatt averaged 3.9 points and 6.9 rebounds.
Seniors Alazia Birch (4.5 ppg, 2.0 spg), and Anziya Jones (3.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and junior Jasmine Jones (1.1 ppg) also see significant playing time.
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