Spring Creek senior Heather Alexander blocks a shot from behind while teammate Trinity Daniels (12) defends during a game last season. The Gators start their 2024-25 season Tuesday at North Lenoir. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
SEVEN SPRINGS — Experience.
Defense.
Excitement and maybe some uncertainty.
New boys’ head basketball coach Raytrell Caldwell and girls’ head coach Paul Hayes are anxious to see how all of those pieces fit together on the hardwood this winter.
The boys return four starters. Senior Nathan Jackson is joined by a trio of juniors — Brennan Chambers, Jackson Rose and Kamron McDaniels.
“Our expectations for the season are to take one game at a time and build from that,” said Caldwell, who replaces Trey Harris on the bench. “We know each game is going to be a different approach. I want our guys mindset to be ‘just play basketball.’
“That’s their only agenda.”
Chambers knocked down 14.3 points per game last season for the Gators, who finished 7-17 overall. McDaniels averaged 13.2. A streaky 3-pointer shooter, Rose contributed 9.7 points, while Jackson scored 7.5 an outing.
Junior transfer Darius “DJ” Deal and sophomore guard Tristan Pate are expected to provide some offensive support.
Caldwell wants his team to play aggressive on both ends of the court and attack the glass. The pressure should create offense either in transition or lead to free throw attempts.
“Our strengths are our athleticism, being able to run ends of the court [and] the players having camaraderie with one another the past couple of years,” Caldwell said. “I like their potential … very skillful. They’re a confident group of players that want to be coached.
“The stats and outcomes will follow in life if they just play basketball.”
SC finished 5-0 in games decided by five points or less a year ago. Caldwell undoubtedly wants to “open” some eyes when Neuse Six 2A Conference play begins in early January 2025.
Girls
Spring Creek has logged 17 total victorious over the past two seasons and picked up two Neuse Six 2A wins a year ago.
Hayes wants more.
“My expectation is to finish the season above .500,” he said.
The last time the Gators won 10 games in a season was 2016 when then-head coach Charlie Cotten guided the program.
Three starters and the team’s top reserve are back.
Trinity Daniels, a power forward, isn’t afraid to drive the baseline, draw fouls and battle defenders on the glass. The senior pumped in a team-high 226 points, pulled down 149 rebounds and collected 57 steals.
Pearson spelled point guard Emily Williams last. The junior picked opponents for 58 steals and attempted a team-high 140 free throws.
A four-year varsity performer, Sarah Hess collected 103 rebounds and 59 steals a year ago. Hayes will look for more offensive production from the senior.
Heather Alexander will once again patrol the middle. The senior center snared 191 rebounds and tallied 130 points a year ago. Hayes hopes to see more offensive production from the 6-foot-2 multi-sport athlete.
“We have a good core group of returning players, but we also have six freshmen who are trying to get up to speed,” Hayes said. “We’ve got some girls who have bought into playing hard and buying into our defensive system, so we can take pride in ourselves trying to give other teams fits on that end of the court.
“[I’m] excited to see how these players’ roles expand as we had some big pieces graduate last year. This core group is a tough group of girls and play with a lot of energy. Now we just need to get all the new pieces caught up to speed.”
Spring Creek opens the season Tuesday at East Central 2A member North Lenoir. The JV boys’ game tips off at 4:30 p.m. inside Wooten Gym.
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
