Junior forward An’zavion “Zay” Brown celebrates after a victory over Apalachee High School on Dec. 5, 2014 with a score of 82-78. Photo by Chad Rhym.
By FEAR CHURCHWELL – Staff Writer
The Clarke Central High School varsity boys basketball team is coming off of a 13-11 season, 8-5 in Region 8-AAAAA, in 2014-15. The basketball team was knocked out in the first round of the region tournament by Apalachee High School with a score of 80-59, and now, with another season in sight, head boys varsity basketball coach Andre McIntyre speaks on his expectations for the 2015-16 basketball season.
Fear Churchwell: Have the football players had a chance to tryout?
Andre McIntyre: No, we really don’t have varsity tryouts because we practice year-round. Those who were with us during the summer, traveled with us during the summer. Those are the kids who play football that will be with the (varsity) team.
FC: What JV players got a chance to play at the preseason game on Nov. 13?
AM: I have 6 or 7 on them. I usually keep 12 kids on the roster, but there are 17 right now. Jack Mangel, Desmond Sorrells and Jaqua Daniels (are coming from football).
FC: Is Rayshawn McCall playing?
AM: Rayshawn has a knee injury that he sustained during the football season. He is going to get his knee cleaned up, and I think that it is best for him since he is going off to college to play football.
FC: When are the football players going to be able to practice?
AM: He is out right now due to a concussion; I think this is his second or third concussion. Jack Mangel hasn’t played yet due to a high-ankle sprain. I always give (football players) a couple of days off. JaQua Daniels is just watching right now. Jack Mangel wants to be out there. He tried to come out the first day, but I just sat him down and iced him for this week.
FC: Do you guys play each region team twice?
AM: Only on our side. We have two sides. We will play Cedar Shoals, Loganville, Apalachee, Heritage and Salem, and the other side once.
FC: Is this side of the region competitive?
AM: Yeah, Heritage returned a lot of starters, Cedar is gonna be tough because Cedar made it to the final four. Salem has a lot of athletes. Our side is more competitive.
FC: Are there any new schools in the region?
AM: There is a new school called Discovery. It’s their first year. They are here for every sport but because they are a new school so they don’t have football yet in our region, they played a lot of JV teams.
FC: What do you expect from the non-region games?
AM: We have a competitive non-region schedule. We are playing Tucker who is a powerhouse. Mill Creek, a (AAAAAA) school, we go to there place. We are playing teams that we think are comparable to playoff teams.
FC: Do you want to make the playoffs this year?
AM: Oh, definitely. We are definitely one of the top four teams in our region and we can definitely do that.
FC: What do you think of Cedar Shoals going to the final four last year?
AM: We split with them last year. It’s just about getting on a roll. They gelled at the right time, and a lot of things happened to fall their way. Anything can happen once you get to the playoffs. They made a great run. You only have to win one game.
