By DAN HOEHNE
daniel.hoehne@newssun.com
SEBRING - With high praise come high expectations and, in the right hands, a higher level of intensity to prepare to meet those expectations.
"We got invited to a tournament in Bartow by their coach," Sebring head basketball coach Princeton Harris said of the Class 4A State Semifinalist Yellow Jackets. "It's a real prestigious tournaments with top teams from around the state. I was kind of shocked they thought to invite us, but he said he'd seen us in a few games and really liked what he saw.
"He also said that if we'd gotten by Kathleen, he wanted no part of coming down here to play us," Harris continued. "Bartow would have been our next game in the regional playoffs."
And so it was, on the eve of the inaugural game of the 2009-10 basketball season, things were business as usual for the Blue Streaks - business as usual for a team with the expectations brought on by this sort of recognition - running through the offensive sets, racing to get to their spots in the full-court press and crashing the boards with game-like intensity.
"Our practices have been very intense," head coach Princeton Harris said. "The guys are really working hard, getting after it."
The reasons for the hard work, and optimism, are plenty - beginning with a large core back from last year's 19-6 season record, a second seed in the District 10-4A tournament and eventual tournament championship.
And a big part of that core got a little bigger, in the meantime.
"'Jewel' stretched out another inch since last year," Harris said of now 6-foot-9 senior center Robert Campbell. "And he's got a 7-foot-2 wingspan.
"He was a little tentative at times last year, coming off a foot injury from the year before," Harris continued. "He's a lot more confident with it now and will be a real presence in the middle for us. He's also worked on his jumper a lot and can hit it up to 12 feet, which will cause all sorts of match-up problems."
Also back will be forwards 'Mighty' Joe Young and Tevin Toney, 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-3, respectively, bringing strength, power and added versatility.
"With Joe, you know what you're getting night to night," Harris said. "He'll rebound, hustle, provide pressure on defense and he can step out to 15 feet.
"Tevin is vesatile and a luxury for us," Harris continued. "He can play and defend four spots, is our defensive stopper and is real strong on the boards."
So the front line looks to be quite a handful for Sebring opponents this year, with the only drop-off heading into the back court is in height, and experience.
At one guard spot will be Devin Clarke, lightning quick with a scorer's mentality.
"We reeled him in a bit last year but he's really grown in leadership and we're going to put a lot more on him this year," Harris said. "He brings so much, and when he needs to reach deep down for something extra, he can."
A key newcomer to the back court will be freshman guard Marcus Dewberry who, while having to deal with a learning curve, has the talent to make the leap.
"He's the first freshman I've ever brought up to varsity," Harris said. "He needs to work on his defense and adjust to the speed and size of the players at this level. But he can shoot the ball from deep, handles it well and has great court vision."
Adding to the mix will be Toby Solebello, a 6-foot-3 shooter who averaged 18 points per game on junior varsity last season, and the power and speed of 6-foot-3 forward Zack Bullock.
Adarrius Hollinger, Josh Heflin and Ricky Rivera will also be counted on as contributors as the team heads into its new district, laden with Polk County teams.
"It's definitely a step up in competition, Polk County teams are very good and very quick," Harris said. "But with our defense, inside presence, versatility and the mismatches we can create, we can play with anybody and be competitive."
The Streaks opened up the Bill Jarrett Tip-Off Tournament against Clewiston at Avon Park Tuesday night and will face Mulberry in Thursday's 6 p.m. game.
See Friday's News-Sun for a recap of the contest with Clewiston.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - www.newssun.com/WED-11-18-SebBBPre