FARMER HOPES TOP-SEEDED CHARLESTON CAN TAKE ROOT

Charleston coach Danny Farmer doesn't buy into the theory that his team is a virtual lock to win this year's tournament.

But Farmer -- in his first season as the Blue Jays' head coach after spending three years as an assistant -- does like Charleston's chances of returning to the top after being upset by Cape Central in last year's semifinals.

Charleston, which has won four of the past six championships and a tournament-record 11 overall, is the overwhelming No. 1 seed. The Blue Jays received every first-place vote by the 16 head coaches involved in the tourney.

The Blue Jays, off to a 5-1 start, will take on No. 16 Leopold at 9 a.m. Friday in the opening round.

"I feel pretty good about our chances if we come out and play hard every night," said Farmer.

Most of the coaches surveyed say that Charleston is head and shoulders above everybody else in the field. Farmer doesn't necessarily agree with that.

Told that some coaches believe the Blue Jays will waltz to the championship, Farmer laughed and said, "I don't believe that a bit. Everybody is dangerous. You look at the Sikeston Tournament. Cape played Blytheville tough and Blytheville had us down by 11. You can't overlook anybody."

Of his team's start so far, Farmer said, "We're not playing a whole game the same way, but I'm pleased with the outcome of the games. We've played some tough competition and to be 5-1 is good."

While maybe not a lock to win the tournament as some coaches have suggested, the Blue Jays still rank as clear favorites, led by their wonderful backcourt of 5-8 senior Larico Coleman and 5-10 sophomore Howard Biles. Both are averaging about 14 points per game.

"They've been pretty solid for us," Farmer said. "They contribute a lot to the team."

Rounding out the starting lineup for the Blue Jays have been 6-1 senior Tyshun Williams, 6-5 senior Moses Rowe and 6-0 senior Rommie Whitney.

Contributing off the bench have been 6-4 senior Clintrus Clark, 6-3 senior Anthony Carlisle and 5-11 junior Jeff Ewing.

Farmer, who knew his backcourt would be strong, said he has been pleasantly surprised by the play of his frontcourt and also the play he's getting off the bench.

"Our inside people are a whole lot better than I expected, and they work hard," said Farmer. "And our guys off the bench have been doing a good job. That's probably our strength. Last year we couldn't take Larico out of the game and this year we can."