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NTL BOYS BASKETBALL: ATHENS LOOKING TO RIDE DEPTH, DEFENSE IN 2019-20 (2019-12-11)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
ATHENS "” Athens coach Bob Woodward is looking to depth and defense as the driving forces in 2019-20 in an effort to improve on last year's 14-9 record.

(Athens opens the 2019-20 season tonight at home against Williamson.)

"We're planning to play 10 kids; that's the way things have been going so far, and I hope we can do that," he said.

Senior Damian Hudson will start at point guard, with seniors Aaron Lane and Brady Smith at guards, and senior Keegan Rude, and sophomores J.J. Babcock and Troy Pritchard manning the two forward spots.

Woodward is also looking for contributions for four young players with little or no varsity experience in junior Jonathon Smith, sophomores Tucker Brown and Shayne Reid, and freshman Mason Lister.

"Tucker Brown has been been doing a real good job for us on the defensive end," he said. "And, Mason Lister, who is a freshman, has stepped into a role that he's really accepted.

"Jonathon Smith is a player who played JV last year, and this year's we've been impressed with what he's done in the scrimmages," noted Woodward.

"And, Shayne Reid has completely unselfish," added Woodward. "He's a young player, who is athletic, and he's just going to keep getting better."

Woodward says the Wildcats will need to be better on the defensive end in 2019-20.

"Our focus has been on defense.

"We've tried to change some things defensively, how we do some things," he said. "We're going to have to stop people to be successful, the way that we want to be.

"Applying pressure is a game by game decision, depending on who we're playing. It's not to fun to play against a pressure defense, I think everybody knows that," added Woodward. "We want to try to make people feel uncomfortable. Hopefully, we can do that, I think it makes a difference."

Offensively, Woodward says the Wildcats are a work in progress.

"To tell you the truth, I really don't know what we're going to look like offensively.

"Truthfully, we need to share the ball better offensively than we have in the past," he said. "We need to get other people involved, and that's been our focus so far."

Woodward said his team will look to push the pace offensively, but may show some restraint.

"We want to get out and run, but we need to understand when something isn't there in transition, we have to be disciplined enough to run an offense and get a great shot - pass up a mediocre shot for a great one," he said. "That's something we need to get better at.

"Obviously, we want to push the ball, we want to create turnovers, but when that lay-up doesn't happen, we want to be able to get the best shot we can," he added.

Woodward sees team chemistry as a strength in 2019-20.

"I guess our strength is the willingness to play for one another," he said. "The sense in the gym seems a little bit different, there's a lot of positivity, and there are a lot of guys communicating.

"There are guys wanting to do their job for everybody else," he added.

Woodward isn't sure what his team's weaknesses are just yet.

"I'm anxious to find out what our concerns are," he said. "We haven't had a game yet, most of the other teams have.

"We got some good looks in our scrimmage, but I'm excited to see exactly where we are, and really the only way to test that is competition.

"Williamson is going to bring their best (Wednesday) and we plan to do the same, then maybe we'll find out," added Woodward.

As for expectations in 2019-20, Woodward isn't looking too far ahead.

"I guess our expectation is to take it one game at a time," he said. "That's kind of an old coach's saying, but really the most important game on your schedule is the next one you're playing. Our only focus is our next game.

"I think if we take it one at a time, we'll have a few less letdowns," added Woodward. "We want to take it one practice at a time, one game at a time, and win the day."

AROUND THE NTL:  "I've never been one to look at the league and say "˜this is the team to beat,'" said Woodward. "We just have to show up an play. There are so many good players and coaches in our league that everybody is going to be ready to play.

"Basketball is a weird game. Some times you can play your best and still lose," added Woodward. "Hopefully, we develop some consistency at the defensive end, and let that be our anchor."

"”"”"”"”"”"”

IN PHOTO: Athens seniors Aaron Lane (left) and Keegan Rude.


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