Shooting pains gone for matured Braves

Scott County Central coach Melvin Porter went through first-year growing pains last year with a young team.

Porter, a former Braves standout on state championship teams, is confident that maturity is replacing the inexperience on a team that started four sophomores and a junior last season. The Braves lacked discipline and consistency in an 11-15 season.

"They've been around me enough to know what they need to do and what I expect them to do," Porter said.

Porter said the players are working to set themselves up for more success.

"The kids have gotten rid of the 'me' mentality," Porter said. "Last year we had too many kids that were used to be the player and the star. It wasn't about the team. Now I think they understand what basketball is really all about."

The Braves have talented components in their team concept, led by 6-foot-4 senior Chris Pullen, who averaged 20 points, 12 rebounds and six blocked shots last season.

"He's going to be a big part of it, no doubt," Porter said. "He's a smart kid. He's a coach's dream."

Pullen earned all-conference honors despite battling a stomach illness much of the season. Porter said the health problem is behind Pullen, a three-year starter who is both healthy and stronger for his final season.

The Braves return another all-conference performer in junior point guard Jeremy Johnson, who started the past two years. He averaged about 12 points last season and was second on the team in rebounding with six per game despite standing just 5-foot-9. Porter said Johnson is both stronger and quicker.

Andrew Pullen (6-2) returns to the front line with his brother Chris. Andrew averaged eight points last season. Also returning from last year is junior Chris Monroe (6-6), who likely will serve as the sixth man.

The Braves are deep at the guard position with the return of seniors Daniel Holman and Shawn Fisher, who was going to be the Braves' point guard last year but suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second game.

Central also moves up two guards from last year's JV team who possess scoring ability. Josh Boley averaged 20 points on the JV and is a 3-point threat.

Another junior, Abis White, flashed offensive potential when he scored 24 points in a season-ending district loss to Delta.