Tigers looking for a Spark (Basketball)
By: TROUP BRINSON
The Forest Blade
Despite being 3-0 on side A of region 3AA, the Swainsboro Tigers boys basketball team is a squad that expects to be better than their 6-7 overall record. Returning the majority of their talent and depth from last season’s playoff team, heightened expectations should not have been unwarranted. So far, the reviews are mixed as the Tigers search for offensive consistency and at times lack the energy and focus that will be necessary of a team with greater goals than just making an appearance in the postseason.
The Tigers dropped 2 of 3 games last week, sandwiching an exciting 62-58 victory on Friday night against arch rival Jefferson County with losses to Washington County and Dublin in which Swainsboro scored 40 and 45 points, respectively.
“We are playing some pretty good defensive minded teams who are doing a great job with their defense against us,†explained Coach Leroy Jordan.
Jordan went on to say that he wasn’t really concerned about the lack of scoring, just winning the games on his side of the sub region.
“We are working the inside-out game and both Armani (Moore) and Maurice (Strong) had big nights in the Jefferson County win,†continued Jordan. That was the key as they had no answer for it.†Moore and Strong contributed 20 points each towards the win.
But Jordan seemed a little concerned about what appears to be a lack of focus at times. This should be a strength, not a weakness for a team with experience and proven leaders.
We did not come mentally ready Saturday night against Dublin,†Jordan said as he pointed out the problems that his team has had in the 2ndgame of back-to-back contests this season.
Even in exciting victories this season, the Tigers have shown a difficulty in putting teams away in which they hold big leads early. Jordan has implored his team to maintain the intensity and focus for the whole length of the game.
“We must learn how to put 4 quarters together,†Jordan explained as he talked about letting Jefferson County back in the game after holding a double-digit lead. We slacked in the second half.â€
There is no doubting the talent present on this team. One just hopes that it will translate into results and the consistent excellence that Coach Jordan is seeking.
Fortunately, they have played their best in games that matter the most. Jordan is optimistic about his chances.
We are right where we need to be with a lot of basketball left.â€
Swainsboro has two away games this weekend, Screven County and Toombs County. Tuesday’s results against Southeast Bulloch were unavailable at press time.
The Tigers dropped 2 of 3 games last week, sandwiching an exciting 62-58 victory on Friday night against arch rival Jefferson County with losses to Washington County and Dublin in which Swainsboro scored 40 and 45 points, respectively.
“We are playing some pretty good defensive minded teams who are doing a great job with their defense against us,†explained Coach Leroy Jordan.
Jordan went on to say that he wasn’t really concerned about the lack of scoring, just winning the games on his side of the sub region.
“We are working the inside-out game and both Armani (Moore) and Maurice (Strong) had big nights in the Jefferson County win,†continued Jordan. That was the key as they had no answer for it.†Moore and Strong contributed 20 points each towards the win.
But Jordan seemed a little concerned about what appears to be a lack of focus at times. This should be a strength, not a weakness for a team with experience and proven leaders.
We did not come mentally ready Saturday night against Dublin,†Jordan said as he pointed out the problems that his team has had in the 2ndgame of back-to-back contests this season.
Even in exciting victories this season, the Tigers have shown a difficulty in putting teams away in which they hold big leads early. Jordan has implored his team to maintain the intensity and focus for the whole length of the game.
“We must learn how to put 4 quarters together,†Jordan explained as he talked about letting Jefferson County back in the game after holding a double-digit lead. We slacked in the second half.â€
There is no doubting the talent present on this team. One just hopes that it will translate into results and the consistent excellence that Coach Jordan is seeking.
Fortunately, they have played their best in games that matter the most. Jordan is optimistic about his chances.
We are right where we need to be with a lot of basketball left.â€
Swainsboro has two away games this weekend, Screven County and Toombs County. Tuesday’s results against Southeast Bulloch were unavailable at press time.
