High School Hoops Are Here!

The weather is getting colder, so that means one thing for high school athletes, it’s time to bring things inside. Here is what to expect on the basketball court this season in Rutherford County. 

Boys Basketball 

East Rutherford (as of now 2-2, 1-0): While the Cavaliers have eight returning from a year ago, the loss of four graduates that includes Travis Waldroup Rodriguez and Devonte Boykins are going to sting this season. Calvin Camp (guard) and Trey Dawkins (forward) will lead, but they must have at least an eight-man rotation to keep them balanced. No matter if the offense struggles at times, you can surely count on a stingy defense.

R-S Central (3-2, 1-0): The loss of Rashaun Whitesides will be problematic for the Hilltoppers this season. Still, they have two solid guards in Brian Hunt and Desmond Whitesides back. Freshman, Josh Searcy is already making an impact at nearly 20 points per game. Devion Lynch and Juwan Burnette are stepping up so far on the young season. Right now, the three pointers are going down. If they can develop an inside game, this could make for a very tough club in the playoffs.

Chase (1-2, 0-1): The Trojans have five back from a year ago, but they do have better size than usual and are pretty athletic this season. Tyrell Boykins has the reigns out at point guard this season and the Trojans should collect more wins if they can find ways to score.

TJCA (1-1): The good news is that they are guard heavy, but that is also the bad news. Jaylon Simmons, Nick Mintz and Mason Fenner combined for 36 points a season ago as guards. Rebounding will be the issue as Efrim Borders and Chris Mintz have graduated. Coach Ken Hines led them to their best season a year ago, but if will be up to the backcourt on offense and defense to figure things out.

Girls Hoops 

East Rutherford (2-2, 0-1): There is no way to replace Rachel Camp. However, Emily Elgin and Tamara Blanton return for the Lady Cavs. New addition Kendra Ross should make an immediate impact, but this will likely be a rebuilding year.

R-S Central (3-2, 1-0): They will miss Tia Bristol badly. At least Teja Twitty is back with former Chase student Kyra Davis assisting inside. Twitty is already posting 28 points per game, but the outside game in non-existent. They should dominate inside, but guard play is questionable.

Chase (0-3, 0-1) The program has struggled over the years and that’s unfortunate. It will be another learning curve since defensive and scoring problems still exist.

Thomas Jefferson (0-2): Although without Rachel Tevis, Alyssa Edwards returns for the Gryphons. They will have to rely on defense and earning easy baskets in order to keep up in the conference race. Good news: they have already blocked 11 shots in two games.

As for the College football playoffs, I think the committee got it right. Alabama, Oregon, Florida St. and Ohio St. make the playoffs.

I would love for TCU or Baylor to be in the top four because they do have strong cases. The point is that Ohio St. is playing the best right now of all three bubble teams. However, the committee is still in trouble when you consider that they ranked TCU third in last week’s poll, which still won and then fell two spots.

I look at it this way, Ohio St. has won 11 in a row and just routed a top 15 team by 59 points in their conference title game. Baylor also beat TCU during the season, so it’s tough to put TCU ahead of the Bears.