Bartlett’s backcourt is doing all of the right things
Bartlett hasn’t had to deal with a lot of turnover in its backcourt, something head coach Dion Real is very thankful for. Real has had the luxury of coaching the same backcourt for four seasons straight, and this season, the…
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Continue ReadingBartlett hasn’t had to deal with a lot of turnover in its backcourt, something head coach Dion Real is very thankful for.
Real has had the luxury of coaching the same backcourt for four seasons straight, and this season, the Panthers are in position to compete for the 3A state championship. Bartlett wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for the senior class, especially the guards, that has bought into Real’s vision, which is to get better each day.
Real’s backcourt of Jefferson Walker, Wynne Brown Jr., Sylvester Thompson, and Shemar Johnson are an unselfish group. All four guards play physical and are relentless on the defensive end. And yet, people in the city of Memphis aren’t talking about this group.
Maybe it’s because this aura of guards aren’t flashy.
“They’re not exciting players. They’re not about to do exciting stuff,” Real said. “They’re not about to do stuff that’s crazy. They’re not wrapping the ball around the back 20 times or trying to take it between the legs. They’re playing solid basketball. They’re getting it to the open person.
“They’re cutting, they’re screening. Unfortunately, that’s not looked upon as good basketball for some people.”
Because of Walker, Thompson, Brown Jr., and Johnson, Bartlett is currently 23-2 on the season and undefeated (6-0) in league play. The Panthers have won seven straight since their Jan. 5 loss to Mississippi’s defending 5A state champion Olive Branch in the Memphis Hoopfest.
Bartlett’s other loss came against Hamilton Heights (85-83) in the Bartlett Invitational. But, the Panthers does have nice wins over Houston (two), Meadowcreek, and Briarcrest Christian.
Without a tough backcourt, would Bartlett have 23 wins at this point of the season?
Probably not.
At 5-foot-11, Walker is averaging 8.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals. Thompson, who’s about 5-8, is averaging 8.4 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 assists. Brown Jr., who’s about the same height as Thompson, is the leading scorer amongst the guards at 10 points per game. Brown Jr. is also averaging 2.4 assists and 2 rebounds a game.
Johnson is shooting 40 percent from the field and 83 percent from the free throw line.
Coach Real realizes the window for opportunity is now, since he’s losing a big portion of his roster after this season. Outside of the backcourt, Bartlett is losing Ole Miss commit Antavion Collum, Georgia Southern commit Jalen Cincore, Tyler Carpenter, Jake Manley, Rodney Mason Jr., and Earl Whitby.
The Panthers know a state championship would be the icing on the cake for this senior class, but Real has kept the team grounded, despite the championship aspirations floating around the locker room.
“Let’s just have perfect effort in mind. Let’s try to do everything perfect, trying to be a perfect team,” Real said. “If we will do that, I think everything else will take care of itself.
“As far as saying we are heading to the state championship or we’re going to the state tournament, let’s just get better, get better, and get better. Let’s make sure we’re improving on a daily basis.”