By Chris Parker
Macks Creek boys basketball was a young team last year and finished with a 5-19 record.
Head coach Mike Phillips hopes experience gained last season pays off in the form of more wins this season.
“We played a lot of freshmen on varsity last year, and we are hoping that the experience they received will be an asset this year,” Phillips said.
Four starters and three of the team’s four leading scorers return.
Tate Boothe, sophomore guard, led the Pirates in scoring 10.8 points per game. He also had 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
“Tate was our leading scorer last year as a freshman,” Phillips said. “He had to play the point guard and shooting guard spots on offense last year.”
Carter Ferrell, sophomore guard, was just behind Boothe in scoring at 10.5 points per game.
“Carter Ferrell brings an offensive presence that makes other teams have to game plan for,” Phillips said.
Eli Charlton, a junior forward, was fourth on the team in scoring 9.3 points per game. He led the team in rebounding with 5.8 rebounds per game.
“Eli has played varsity for two years now and his strength and finishing ability have gotten better each year,” Philips said.
Sophomore forward Cash Sotner-Ehorn contributed 3.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
“Cash has improved his offensive attacking ability over the summer, and we expect him to help out on both ends of the floor this year,” Phillips said.
Sophomore guard Sebastian Sanchez is a versatile player who scored 3.8 points per game.
“He is a multi-position player and will do whatever is asked of him,” Phillips said.
Daytona Linton is a junior post who scored 2.8 points per game.
“Daytona Linton became a great passing big man at the end of the season, and we hope to add some points per game to his resume this season,” Phillips said.
Freshmen Mason Brashears and Reece Nations are candidates for playing time as well.
Macks Creek opens the season Nov. 24 at Stoutland.
“We would like to be more competitive overall and finish in the top half of the conference this year. If we can take care of the ball, we should be a long night for some of our opponents,” Phillips said. “Having four of our five starters back and everyone off of our bench from last year should make us a team that can compete in our conference and hopefully our district.”
