Cross boys aiming to peak in playoffs
Cross boys aiming to peak in playoffs
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Cross – the 2023-24 basketball season for the Cross High boys team was certainly one to remember. The Trojans are hoping for bigger memories this season.
Cross played in the Class A Lower State championship game last season, using a hot playoff run to make a strong dash at the end.
All indications point to Cross having the talent and experience to again challenge for the Class A state title. It has taken some time to bring the chemistry together but coach Chaquain Boone likes where his team is.
“Apart from two players, the entire team played in the Class A football state championship, so we had a late start to the basketball season,” Boone reports. “However, none of the players have ever complained about the basketball workload even after a long and hard football season. They have maintained a great attitude and have worked extremely hard.
“I feel good about how the season is going so far. We have high goals, so we'll ultimately be judged by how we perform in the postseason.”
With the regular season winding down, Cross had won nine of their first 11 games overall and were 4-1 in region 7-A play. A second-place finish in the region would secure a home game in the first round of the playoffs but the goal remains a region title.
As was the case last season, the team leader this winter is 6-4 junior forward Caden Ramsey. As one of the team captains, Ramsey is putting up solid numbers across the stat sheet. He averages 14.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 1.3 blocked shots per game.
Another captain is senior Lavell Joyner, who adds 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.4 steals per game.
The third captain is senior Preston Fuller, who contributes 7.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.9 steals per contest.
Senior Micah Flute plays a key role inside. Flute is scoring 9.3 points and pulling down 10.1 rebounds per game.
Freshman Isaiah Wright is averaging 6.5 points, 3.3 steaks and 2.8 assists per game.
Boone is hoping the success of the last two seasons has set the foundation for extended winning down the road. The roster has plenty of underclassmen.
“We only have three seniors so we will have most of the team returning next year,” Boone said. “Our players work and play extremely hard. That work ethic and style of play is a great sign for our future.”
