By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
The Gadsden City High basketball team will be “very young in experience” this season, according to coach Reginald Huff.
Senior Chris Turk is expected to be the leading scorer. He was leading the team in points last year until a mid-season injury ended his season.
“I expect Chris to carry our offense,” Huff said. “He can play guard or post and can score well from either position. He has plenty of speed and is very quick to the basket.”
Senior point guard Tevin Wise returns and is still battling ankle injuries. Wise is a good shooter, but Huff said he needs some work on his “off-ball defense.”
Jashaad Garrett is a senior but is short of experience.
“(Garrett) is a great athlete,” Huff said. “He has the speed and strength to go to the rim on offense and defense.”
Junior Chris Dudley was a role player last year but is expected to be one of the defensive stoppers this season.
Senior point guard Darren Ethridge can penetrate and is expected be a tremendous help off the bench.
Junior Josh Juddine plays every position on the floor, while freshman Toryque Bateman comes in at 6-8 after growing three or four inches over the summer.
Height is an area in which the Titans will be lacking, as three tall players transferred out of state.
“We hope to surround that group with sophomores and juniors that can gain experience off the bench,” Huff said.
Rounding out the squad are senior Tray Smothers, juniors Walter Crumpler, Chandler Hall, Zack Oglesby, Josh Suttle and Justin Suttle and sophomores Jacob Hyde, Kain Johnson, Darnell Mooney and Jerome Spears.