The Poplarville High school boy’s basketball team heads into its fourth year with Head Coach Chareck Cable at the helm. They have made the playoffs two of the three years Cable has been there.
“I’m expecting a lot out of the guys. We had a good summer went to LSU team camp for two days. We played teams that won state championships such as University High, we got used to competing at a higher level,” Cable said.
Coach Cable instituted a summer program when he came to Poplarville. They played in Hattiesburg once a week and in Jackson twice a week in summer leagues for five weeks, Chareck said. In addition, they would have practice a couple of times a week, he said.
The Hornets lost three seniors when they graduated last year, one whom was starter Anthony Martin, who was their leading scorer, putting up an average of 15 points per game on the board and was also a great rebounder and a good team guy, Cable said. Cable also mentioned the loss of Keith Dotson who was a great defender and very competitive.
“We are trying to get all of our guys now to compete on the same level as Martin and Dotson did,” Cable said.
They are bringing back returning starter and district defensive player of the year senior Craig Barnes, a 6-foot-8 inch center who led them in rebounding and averaged a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Another big time contributor returning this season is junior Gary Travis , a 6-foot-1 inch point guard who was an all district player. Cable said he’s an explosive scorer who had 34 points last season against Bay High. Cable says “he just needs to be more consistent, he has to get to that next step, to know when to get others involved versus scoring the ball.”
Other returning players who bring experience to the team are seniors Dekevian Coleman, Zack Taylor and Julian Dotson. Cable says they know the system and that he is looking for senior leadership from them, specifically he wants them to keep the guys focused and show how hard the team needs to play. They also have some junior guards Cable hopes step up too, he said.
“I’m looking forward to the season, we have a lot of leadership and experience. I’m looking towards getting better and being consistent throughout the course of the season and taking another step when we get to the playoffs and hopefully make it to Jackson,” Cable said.
Oct. 19 is their first practice. Oct. 31 is the Hattiesburg Jamboree, which features a regional teams playing scrimmages. The Hornets’ first game is Nov. 10 at East Marion.