I'm late writing this entry. We have played 3 games since I last made an entry. So I'm trying to write this like I was feeling right after the game and it isn't possible because we have won 3 in a row and we are not the same team today that we were then.
So if it seems that I'm bragging, I'm Not! We are just getting better, and it's hard to talk about it without seeming like I'm bragging!
Our defensive intensity is way up and our effort is great. Murrah put up a fight but we were a little to much for them. Dondrecus and Gary Love played well, but they don't always play together. I beleive they could be a much better team if those two played together. They both want to score and they are relentless in their pursuit to shoot the ball. And they can both shoot it!
We are slowly seeing our team get better. The bench is developing at a much slower pace than the starters but they are improving. This win got us to .500 at 4-4. It was a big win for our young team in front of a hostile crowd. The game was sold out before 6 oclock and most of the Callaway fans were left outside. Our fan base is picking up, so Charger fans get to the game early, the Lady Chargers are worth watching!
Julysses shot the ball as well as I've ever seen him shoot it. His first shot was so deep that Coach Brent was getting up to get on him about his shot selection but it went in, and so did the next one and the next one. He got a dunk and about 7 assists to dominate the game.
Q and Deville are getting better and Jeverick gave us a hint of how good he could be. Deville could be a post season dandy dozen at the rate he is going. When his jumper is falling he is as good as there as playing ball in MHSSA.
We work hard and we expect the best, we are gearing up for district. Win at home and try to steal some on the road, that is our goal.
Record: 4-4
next up: Warren Central
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Callaway vs Forest Hill
Coming off the win against Provine we were trying to not come out flat. We had a couple of players that did, but as a team we didnt. Forest Hill IS THE REAL DEAL and they showed it by not missing a ft down the stretch. They were poised against our press and punished us with layups after they broke us down. Josh for Forest Hill is very athletic and a great player, it puzzles me how this kid is not a dandy dozen!
I'm very proud of our team and the way we performed. We defended one of the best teams in the state about as good as they can be defended, we rebounded well and we played with poise and kept our heads in the game. The bench played well and Coach Brent did a masterful job of never letting us get out of the game.
It was a loss but it was a loss that you can live with because you know you got better. Forest Hill is a very good team and a great measuring stick for how well your team is playing. We learned alot tonight and we grew as individuals and as a team. I think it's time that people take notice, this is not the same Callaway team that they are used to beating up on. We will be better and we will win!
Record: 3-4
up next: @ Murrah
I'm very proud of our team and the way we performed. We defended one of the best teams in the state about as good as they can be defended, we rebounded well and we played with poise and kept our heads in the game. The bench played well and Coach Brent did a masterful job of never letting us get out of the game.
It was a loss but it was a loss that you can live with because you know you got better. Forest Hill is a very good team and a great measuring stick for how well your team is playing. We learned alot tonight and we grew as individuals and as a team. I think it's time that people take notice, this is not the same Callaway team that they are used to beating up on. We will be better and we will win!
Record: 3-4
up next: @ Murrah
Callaway Vs Provine
Brent Vs Riley 3
We had some hard practices leading up to this game. The first team spent most of those practices on D. Coach Brent informed them that they would probably never practice on O again until they started defending and rebounding the way he wanted them to.
They stepped up to the challenge and started getting after each other. We had some 2nd team players to also step this week, this is something that we have begging them to do since the first day of practice. It saw Jonathan Jenkins getting the starting nod over some of the usual starters. The gym was packed, the ball was thrown up and Brent Riley 3 was under way.
The game was the usual slug fest that Brent Riley matches are. Both teams pretty much taking each others best shot and playing like their lives depended on winning. Dandy dozen sf Scotty Haralson was held to a quiet 15 pts by a trio of defenders, all stepping up to the plate to limit his touches and contest his every shot. Its really been good to see these guys start to step up and get stops and rebound the ball. It was by far our best defensive and rebounding game of this short season.
We still have ballhandling issues that need to be addressed but our intensity was way up for this game, hopefully we can keep this type of energy every night. Jeverick Nelson had one of his best performances with a 8 pt 9 rebound outing. Montrell Tims, Jason Gibson and Jonathan Jenkins all defended Scotty Haralson relentlessly.
It was a big win for the school, you could tell by the excitement of the kids on the team, the fans and the administration. Before we could get in the dressing and enjoy the victory Coach Brent was already talking about Forest Hill. What they were going to do and what we needed to do to beat them.
Record: 3-3
up next: @ Forest Hill
We had some hard practices leading up to this game. The first team spent most of those practices on D. Coach Brent informed them that they would probably never practice on O again until they started defending and rebounding the way he wanted them to.
They stepped up to the challenge and started getting after each other. We had some 2nd team players to also step this week, this is something that we have begging them to do since the first day of practice. It saw Jonathan Jenkins getting the starting nod over some of the usual starters. The gym was packed, the ball was thrown up and Brent Riley 3 was under way.
The game was the usual slug fest that Brent Riley matches are. Both teams pretty much taking each others best shot and playing like their lives depended on winning. Dandy dozen sf Scotty Haralson was held to a quiet 15 pts by a trio of defenders, all stepping up to the plate to limit his touches and contest his every shot. Its really been good to see these guys start to step up and get stops and rebound the ball. It was by far our best defensive and rebounding game of this short season.
We still have ballhandling issues that need to be addressed but our intensity was way up for this game, hopefully we can keep this type of energy every night. Jeverick Nelson had one of his best performances with a 8 pt 9 rebound outing. Montrell Tims, Jason Gibson and Jonathan Jenkins all defended Scotty Haralson relentlessly.
It was a big win for the school, you could tell by the excitement of the kids on the team, the fans and the administration. Before we could get in the dressing and enjoy the victory Coach Brent was already talking about Forest Hill. What they were going to do and what we needed to do to beat them.
Record: 3-3
up next: @ Forest Hill
Callaway vs Wingfield
Coaches always stress the importance of winning home games. We were 2 - 0 at home going into our game with 7th ranked city rival Wingfield. We started out good but we weren't able to hold on to the lead for long and found ourselves fighting from behind.
We worked this week on limiting the touches of their best scorer. He hit his first three and didn't get many good looks after that. Jason Gibson did a great job of shadowing him throughout the contest. We didn't do a good job of keeping the point guard out of the paint. He punished us by getting into the paint and setting up his baseline guys with layups. And when we did play great defense we often let them off the hook by allowing them to get the offensive rebound and score.
With all of our problems on D, we still had a chance to tie the game with a 3 with 3 or 4 seconds on the clock. We missed, had to foul, they made 1 ft, missed the second. We came down hit a 3 with time running out and lost by 1. It was our 3rd loss of the season and our first loss at home. It was also the first time that I saw some concern on the faces of the players after the game. I think this one hurt a little bit, they maybe seeing the significance of biting back.
Record: 2-3
up next: Provine
We worked this week on limiting the touches of their best scorer. He hit his first three and didn't get many good looks after that. Jason Gibson did a great job of shadowing him throughout the contest. We didn't do a good job of keeping the point guard out of the paint. He punished us by getting into the paint and setting up his baseline guys with layups. And when we did play great defense we often let them off the hook by allowing them to get the offensive rebound and score.
With all of our problems on D, we still had a chance to tie the game with a 3 with 3 or 4 seconds on the clock. We missed, had to foul, they made 1 ft, missed the second. We came down hit a 3 with time running out and lost by 1. It was our 3rd loss of the season and our first loss at home. It was also the first time that I saw some concern on the faces of the players after the game. I think this one hurt a little bit, they maybe seeing the significance of biting back.
Record: 2-3
up next: Provine
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Callaway Vs Jim Hill
It was our second home game and boy was it needed. Had we played anywhere else I'm sure we would have lost! We played about as bad as a team can play. And Jim Hill played about the same way! Q missed about every shot he took and so did Ju. Jason played very well tonight, he had around 6 steals and about 8 or 9 points. He had two very good practices leading into the game and it showed on the court tonight.
We know that we have a young team and it takes time for them to mature, but that doesn't mean that we can't win now. We have really been putting emphasis on making the second team better. If we can pick up the play of the second team during practice it should lead to better productivity during games. Because right now our second team isn't giving us anything.
We got Wingfield on Thursday and we know that we are going to need a performance better than the one we had tonight if we plan on winning. We are taking one game at a time and putting our emphasis on winning that game. Our players need to buy into what we are doing and make it happen!
Record: 2-2
up next: Wingfield
We know that we have a young team and it takes time for them to mature, but that doesn't mean that we can't win now. We have really been putting emphasis on making the second team better. If we can pick up the play of the second team during practice it should lead to better productivity during games. Because right now our second team isn't giving us anything.
We got Wingfield on Thursday and we know that we are going to need a performance better than the one we had tonight if we plan on winning. We are taking one game at a time and putting our emphasis on winning that game. Our players need to buy into what we are doing and make it happen!
Record: 2-2
up next: Wingfield
Callaway vs Clinton II
I'm glad to have played them for the last time. Clinton is one of those teams that if we played them 10 times, we might lose all ten. They are like the perfect team to beat us. Their strengths match up with all of our weaknesses. A recipe for disaster.
We played them tough all the way down the stretch, Q shot a 3 with 3 or 4 seconds that would have tied the game but he missed. Ju played in his first game, totally shutting down Clinton's guards. Officiating was terrible and we were still in the game. It's funny how the officials look towards our bench after a call, as if they are waiting on us to argue. Hey REFS, we don't talk to y'all!
Overall it was a better game for us, we defended better, we rebounded better and Q gave us a glimpse into his potential by scoring a very quiet 27! We are a very young team and we will keep grinding until we get to where we are trying to go.
Record: 1-2
up next: Jim Hill
We played them tough all the way down the stretch, Q shot a 3 with 3 or 4 seconds that would have tied the game but he missed. Ju played in his first game, totally shutting down Clinton's guards. Officiating was terrible and we were still in the game. It's funny how the officials look towards our bench after a call, as if they are waiting on us to argue. Hey REFS, we don't talk to y'all!
Overall it was a better game for us, we defended better, we rebounded better and Q gave us a glimpse into his potential by scoring a very quiet 27! We are a very young team and we will keep grinding until we get to where we are trying to go.
Record: 1-2
up next: Jim Hill
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Callaway vs Bailey
Our 2nd game of the season was against one of the weaker teams in the city. Coach Speech who is a Callaway graduate, does a great job with his kids but he just doesn't get as much talent as the other city schools.
Bailey came out playing hard and tried to make the game as ugly as possible. We beat them 62 - 29 in front of a packed house. Hopefully home game will be like it was on Tuesday. The atmosphere made me remember what I missed about high school basketball in the city.
Q and Montrell were the leading scorers with 19 points. Ju didn't play he was still recovering from his ankle injury that he sprained in practice. And Deville Smith played the worst game that I have probably ever seen anyone play. We need the team to bounce back and get ready for the Clinton game.
Thursday night we'll see how much we've improved!
Record: 1-1
up next: @ Clinton
Bailey came out playing hard and tried to make the game as ugly as possible. We beat them 62 - 29 in front of a packed house. Hopefully home game will be like it was on Tuesday. The atmosphere made me remember what I missed about high school basketball in the city.
Q and Montrell were the leading scorers with 19 points. Ju didn't play he was still recovering from his ankle injury that he sprained in practice. And Deville Smith played the worst game that I have probably ever seen anyone play. We need the team to bounce back and get ready for the Clinton game.
Thursday night we'll see how much we've improved!
Record: 1-1
up next: @ Clinton
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Callaway Chargers 9th Grade Schedule
11/14 vs Wingfield
11/17 @ Provine
12/01 vs Jim Hill
12/05 @ Forest Hill
01/09 vs Murrah
01/12 @ Lanier
01/16 @ Bailey
01/19 9th Grade Tournament
01/23 9th Grade Tournament
01/26 9th Grade Championship
11/17 @ Provine
12/01 vs Jim Hill
12/05 @ Forest Hill
01/09 vs Murrah
01/12 @ Lanier
01/16 @ Bailey
01/19 9th Grade Tournament
01/23 9th Grade Tournament
01/26 9th Grade Championship
'07 - '08 Callaway Chargers Schedule
11/03 Madison Cental Tournament - vs Clinton, L 64 - 59
11/06 vs Bailey, W 62 - 29
11/08 @ Clinton, L 56 - 52
11/13 vs Jim Hill, W 60 - 48
11/15 vs Wingfield, L 64 - 61
11/19 vs Provine, W 64 - 60
11/20 @ Forest Hill, L 74 - 69
11/27 @ Murrah
11/29 Warren Central Tournament
11/30 Warren Central Tournament
12/01 Warren Central Tournament
12/04 @ Canton
12/07 vs Warren Central
12/11 vs Vicksburg
12/14 @ Yazoo City
12/26 JPS Pepsi Tournament
12/27 JPS Pepsi Tournament
12/28 JPS Pepsi Tournament
01/04 vs Yazoo County
01/08 vs Ridgeland
01/11 @ Lanier
01/15 vs Canton
01/18 @ Pearl
01/22 @ Vicksburg
01/25 vs Yazoo City
01/29 @ Yazoo County
02/01 @ Ridgeland
02/05 vs Lanier
02/08 vs Pearl
02/12-15 Division Tournament - Lanier HS
02/18-23 North/South
02/28-03/15 State Tournament
11/06 vs Bailey, W 62 - 29
11/08 @ Clinton, L 56 - 52
11/13 vs Jim Hill, W 60 - 48
11/15 vs Wingfield, L 64 - 61
11/19 vs Provine, W 64 - 60
11/20 @ Forest Hill, L 74 - 69
11/27 @ Murrah
11/29 Warren Central Tournament
11/30 Warren Central Tournament
12/01 Warren Central Tournament
12/04 @ Canton
12/07 vs Warren Central
12/11 vs Vicksburg
12/14 @ Yazoo City
12/26 JPS Pepsi Tournament
12/27 JPS Pepsi Tournament
12/28 JPS Pepsi Tournament
01/04 vs Yazoo County
01/08 vs Ridgeland
01/11 @ Lanier
01/15 vs Canton
01/18 @ Pearl
01/22 @ Vicksburg
01/25 vs Yazoo City
01/29 @ Yazoo County
02/01 @ Ridgeland
02/05 vs Lanier
02/08 vs Pearl
02/12-15 Division Tournament - Lanier HS
02/18-23 North/South
02/28-03/15 State Tournament
Callaway vs Clinton
The '07-'08 Chargers opened up with a 64 - 59 loss to Clinton HS(Clinton,MS). Even though we lost, our fans and opponents got a chance to see the potential of these young Chargers. We started 2 freshmen, a sophomore, a junior and a senior. Montrell Tims, a junior, was the only starter with any game experience. The other guys were either in middle school last year or bench players who didn't play any real minutes.
LaQuinton Ross(Q), the #1 freshmen in the class of 2011 started off with a bang, scoring 9 quick points before being sidelined with his second foul. His AAU teammate and fellow freshmen, Deville Smith picked up where Q left off. Deville wowed the fans by scoring 28 points. Julysses Nobles, a junior and our most seasoned player, was sidelined with an ankle injury and should be available by the 3rd or 4th game.
We had some ball handling issues against their press that will be corrected by getting Julysses(Ju) back on the court and some scoring problems that will be corrected by keeping Q on the court and out of foul trouble.
I have to say that it was fun being on the sideline again. I told Coach Brent during the game that maybe I had gotten to old for this, I had major butterflies before the game and I can't tell you how many times my heart stopped during the game. Coach Brent reminded me of how young we were as a team and this is how it was going to be until we matured. But, I enjoyed it and I am ready for game 2.
We will play Bailey HS(Jackson,MS) Tuesday night at home. It should be a victory, one that is needed to give these young Chargers a taste of what it feels like to win. We got Clinton again on Thursday at Clinton so we need some momentum going into that game!
Record: 0 - 1
up next: Bailey
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Mississippi '07 - '08 Dandy Dozen
These names are in alphabetical order and do not represent the actual player rankings!
Kenneth Barlow, Sr/G/6'4, Scott Central
Chris Dees, Sr/F/6'5, Picayune
Justin Gillard, Sr/G/6'2, Oxford
Scottie Haralson, Sr/G/6'4, Provine
Rashanti Harris, Sr/C/6'9, New Hope
Dale Hughes, Sr/G/6'2, New Hope
Terrell Kennedy, Sr/F/6'5, Forest Hill
Romero Osby, Sr/F/6'8, NE Lauderdale
Jonathan Phelps, Sr/G/6'1, Vicksburg
Travis Rascoe, Sr/G/6'4, Moss Point
Shaunessy Smith, Jr/G/6'6, Noxubee County
Latavious Williams, Sr/F/6'8, Starkville
In my opinion, this list does not contain the best players in MS. I could be biased because I coach at Callaway HS and our team has a couple of players that are just as good if not better than at least 3 of the names listed here. Time will tell and we can come back at the end of the season and see who does what.
This list was arranged by the staff writers at the Clarion Ledger
Kenneth Barlow, Sr/G/6'4, Scott Central
Chris Dees, Sr/F/6'5, Picayune
Justin Gillard, Sr/G/6'2, Oxford
Scottie Haralson, Sr/G/6'4, Provine
Rashanti Harris, Sr/C/6'9, New Hope
Dale Hughes, Sr/G/6'2, New Hope
Terrell Kennedy, Sr/F/6'5, Forest Hill
Romero Osby, Sr/F/6'8, NE Lauderdale
Jonathan Phelps, Sr/G/6'1, Vicksburg
Travis Rascoe, Sr/G/6'4, Moss Point
Shaunessy Smith, Jr/G/6'6, Noxubee County
Latavious Williams, Sr/F/6'8, Starkville
In my opinion, this list does not contain the best players in MS. I could be biased because I coach at Callaway HS and our team has a couple of players that are just as good if not better than at least 3 of the names listed here. Time will tell and we can come back at the end of the season and see who does what.
This list was arranged by the staff writers at the Clarion Ledger
Mississippi '07-'08 Preseason Boys Super 10
1. New Hope
2. Provine
3. Forest Hill
4. Oxford
5. Starkville
6. Lanier
7. Wingfield
8. Picayune
9. Vicksburg
10. Moss Point
Class-by-class rankings
MHSSA Class 5A
1. Provine
2. Starkville
3. Wingfield
4. Murrah
5. Madison Central
MHSSA Class 4A
1. New Hope
2. Forest Hill
3. Oxford
4. Lanier
5. Picayune
MHSSA Class 3A
1. Humphreys County
2. Pass Christian
3. Columbia
4. Aberdeen
5. Cleveland East Side
MHSSA Class 2A
1. Forest
2. Hinds AHS
3. Scott Central
4. Newton
5. Hollandale Simmons
MHSSA Class 1A
1. Myrtle
2. Shelby Broad Street
3. Okolona
4. Potts Camp
5. Mount Olive
MPSA AAA
1. Jackson Academy
2. MRA
3. Jackson Prep
4. Hillcrest Christian
5. Pillow
MPSA AA
1. Brookhaven Academy
2. Marshall Academy
3. Leake
4. Trinity
5. Inianola
MPSA A
1. Delta
2. Riverdale, LA
3. Huntington, LA
4. CM&I
5. West Memphis, Ark
This list was comprised by the staff writers at the Clarion Ledger
2. Provine
3. Forest Hill
4. Oxford
5. Starkville
6. Lanier
7. Wingfield
8. Picayune
9. Vicksburg
10. Moss Point
Class-by-class rankings
MHSSA Class 5A
1. Provine
2. Starkville
3. Wingfield
4. Murrah
5. Madison Central
MHSSA Class 4A
1. New Hope
2. Forest Hill
3. Oxford
4. Lanier
5. Picayune
MHSSA Class 3A
1. Humphreys County
2. Pass Christian
3. Columbia
4. Aberdeen
5. Cleveland East Side
MHSSA Class 2A
1. Forest
2. Hinds AHS
3. Scott Central
4. Newton
5. Hollandale Simmons
MHSSA Class 1A
1. Myrtle
2. Shelby Broad Street
3. Okolona
4. Potts Camp
5. Mount Olive
MPSA AAA
1. Jackson Academy
2. MRA
3. Jackson Prep
4. Hillcrest Christian
5. Pillow
MPSA AA
1. Brookhaven Academy
2. Marshall Academy
3. Leake
4. Trinity
5. Inianola
MPSA A
1. Delta
2. Riverdale, LA
3. Huntington, LA
4. CM&I
5. West Memphis, Ark
This list was comprised by the staff writers at the Clarion Ledger
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