Season Preview: Summit Spartans
The Summit Spartans are anticipating a big season. Despite losing John Carter to graduation Head Coach Josh Goodwin brings back one of the best senior classes in program history.
Demontay Dixon, Jaden Lewis, and Columbia Central-transfer Isaac Polk comprise the deep senior group. There is one glaring omission from the troop though.
Summit has zero Carters this season. John Carter (Navy) and senior Tai Carter (injury) are both unavailable. What will the Spartans miss with Tai Carter out for the season?
Tai Carter is a physical lead guard with handles and confidence. He really played well with Jaden Lewis the last few years.
Their styles played well off each other. With Tai in the lineup, Lewis was able to operate off the ball in spurts. Without Tai, Jaden Lewis will be essentially the only point guard capable of leading a varsity team.
Summit Roster
2018 F Demontay Dixon
2020 G George Odimegwu
2018 PG Jaden Lewis
2021 F/G Dontae Stringer
2018 C Isaac Polk
2019 G Hayden Turner
2019 G/F Connor Meadows
Summit brings two significant, new additions to the rotation this season. Isaac Polk attended Columbia Central, but elected to transfer for more playing time and a better basketball fit. Standing about 6-foot-4, Polk is strong and committed to banging on the blocks. He will not shy away from contact and with Polk and Demontay Dixon in the lineup, SHS can execute some more elaborate post sets.
Few teams in the area have the frontcourt versatility of these Spartans.
Also welcomed to the fray is Dontae Stringer, Dixon’s younger brother. Stringer is merely a freshman, but there is some promise to his game.
He sees the seams in the defense, but he doesn’t get where he needs to be quick enough. At this early stage in his development Stringer doesn’t explode to finish, but does have a nice, soft touch around the rim and in the lane. Stringer’s speed of play needs to improve…and it will. Early strengths are touch, size, and agility.
Stringer, Polk, and Dixon will deter undersized bigs from scoring some. Stringer actually has a knack for blocking shots. Polk probably will contribute more on the defensive end with physical play. He can overpower many high school forwards. Dixon is not exactly a natural shotblocker, but looks the part of a superb help-defender.
In late August, Demontay Dixon verbally committed to Illinois State. PrepHoopsTN featured Jaden Lewis last week.