Blue Jays transform disrespect into fuel for unstoppable drive

Unmoved by the naysayers’ taunts and the prophecies of doom, the Charleston boys’ basketball team is ignoring the distractions.

Instead, they’ve channeled the disrespect into a driving force, drawing strength from their deep-rooted basketball tradition. This season, the Blue Jays aren’t just seeking victory; they’re seeking vindication.

”People are just counting this group out and not giving them a chance,” said fourth-year Charleston coach Jamarcus Williams. “We’re loving it because we’re using that as fuel. For some reason, people think that we aren’t playing anymore. Everyone is counting this team out and we’re hungry to prove the doubter wrong. It may take a while to get completely figured out, but before it’s all said and done, people are going to respect our team again.”

Despite the skepticism surrounding this year’s team, Charleston boasts a history of producing top-tier talent, and Ko’Terrion Owens is poised to continue that tradition. The 6-foot-3-inch senior forward is an undisputed dominator on the court. Combining physicality with finesse, Owens averaged 13.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game last season.

His blend of size, skill, and experience makes him a well-rounded threat, capable of overpowering and outsmarting opponents.

“I’m expecting him to show people even more this year,” Williams said. “I’ve been really pushing him to take more outside jump shots the past two years however our guard play has been so strong there was no need. But now, he’ll be playing inside and outside. He’s shown that he can hit some outside shots over the summer and in practice and hopefully, that carries over into games.”

While Owens provides a steady anchor, the Blue Jays’ success this season hinges on the integration of new players into key roles and Williams is confident in his team’s ability to adapt and overcome.

“Early on we are expecting some battles just because everyone is going to be learning a new role,” he said. “Practices don’t give you the same experience as actual varsity games. With the limited varsity experience that our players have, there will be a steep learning curve but as always we’re expecting to compete and give it our all every night.”

Charleston boasts a deep bench of evenly skilled players, each vying for playing time and pushing one another to new heights. This internal competition will only fuel the team’s growth, ensuring that every player is at the top of their game.

Additionally, Charleston possesses a solid size advantage, with their starting lineup averaging around 6-foot-2-inches. This height will prove crucial in dominating the paint, controlling rebounds, and altering shots defensively. While they may not boast the towering giants of other teams, their collective size will be a significant asset on both ends of the court.

“It could be a strength or a weakness, however, you want to take it but we are pretty evenly talented across the board,” Williams said. “Everybody is fighting for minutes. Offensively, we look to capitalize on our size across the board. We’re not small nor are we really large. We kind of have average height across the board. I’m not upset about that, and we want to take advantage of our size around the goal. Hopefully, we will be a much better-rebounding team than we have been in the last few years. We want to be really tough around the rim.”

At 6-foot-2, junior forward DeShean Henderson brings a blend of athleticism and strength to the court, while 6-0 senior Zachyran Thomas provides a steady presence and leadership.

Rounding out the starting lineup are 6-3 senior forward Owen Willis, making his return to the basketball court after a hiatus since seventh grade, and 6-0 junior guard Tayshon Clark, whose quickness and ball-handling skills will be a valuable asset. Despite their limited playing time last season, Clark, Thomas, and Henderson each averaged around two points per game last season, demonstrating their potential to contribute offensively.

“I’m expecting [Henderson] to play big minutes,” Williams said. “Stamina will probably be his biggest obstacle. He’s a larger guy but I have full confidence he can go out every night and give us 25 to 28 minutes of hard, tough, physical Blue Jay basketball. [Thomas] is super athletic and was a part of the state championship-winning track team as a jumper. He’s really strong, and physical and can guard inside and out. I’m expecting him to lend his athleticism to aid us in wins this season.

“[Willis[ hasn’t played since he was in junior high but he should have been,” Williams continued. “He was just focused on baseball. Flat out, he can play. It’s unfortunate we didn’t have him for the past three years because as a coach I would have liked to have him for the entirety of his high school career, but we’re going to put him in situations to be successful.”

The roster is bolstered by promising newcomers, including senior forward Chase Worthy, and junior guard Timothy Frazier, who are all expected to contribute to the team’s success.

Freshman Treshaun Schandon, a rising star with immense potential, is expected to play a significant role, showcasing his skills and developing into a rising star.

Charleston opened the season with a 50-44 win over Horn Lake (Miss.) in the RiverBend Shootout on Friday, Nov. 24.

The team will host Dexter (0-0) on Tuesday, Nov. 28 and travel to Notre Dame (0-0) on Friday, Dec. 1.