Class AAA: Cordova’s junior class has taken the proper steps forward
Cordova head coach Terrance Scales had to rely on a slew of sophomores last season to win games. That group went through growing pains but grew up at the same time. Right before the Class AAA District 14 Tournament, The…
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Continue ReadingCordova head coach Terrance Scales had to rely on a slew of sophomores last season to win games. That group went through growing pains but grew up at the same time.
Right before the Class AAA District 14 Tournament, The Wolfpack’s young players took a senior-led Bartlett team to 15 rounds on the Panthers’ senior night on Feb. 8, 2019, signaling the hunger and fierceness of Cordova.
After finishing 19-9, Scales’ junior class is a year older and has a better understanding of what it takes to win in Class AAA in Tennessee. Heading into Labor Day, the Wolfpack had been in the gym, playing five-on-five.
And it seemed as if Cordova has made the right strides to be a solid force in 3A. Junior guard RJ Seals, 5-foot-11, has gotten stronger and is simply tough. Junior guard Markelion Hines, 5-9, hasn’t lost a step in transition. He still has a solid jump shot. Junior wing Jordan Hamilton, 6-4, has taken the responsibility to start hitting the boards. He’s deadly from 3-point range. Jordan’s brother, Kendall Hamilton, 6-6, has slimmed down and will be a solid stretch four if he continues to knock down shots inside the 3-point line.
Junior guard Calvin Jennings, who hasn’t practiced with the team since school started because of a foot injury, has improved on his jump shot. As of right now, Jennings, 6-3, excels at slashing to the basket. He’s too strong to stop.
Junior guard Rashard Watkins joined the team during the second semester of last year. His best scoring performance of 26 points was at Arlington. Sophomore guard Geoff Shaw, 6-3, is very athletic and long. He’s at his best in transition.
Heading into the 2019 season, Scales would be more feel comfortable than he was last season putting his junior class on the floor to win games when they’re close.
“I think those guys got some valuable experience last year,” Scales said. “They went through the battles, and they came out very well in those battles. I think that has prepared them for this year. They all had really good summers. We had a really successful team camp this summer.
“I think they’re all poised to have really good years this year.”
Over the summer, Scales added depth to his talented junior class. Senior guards Justin Borders (5-7) from PCA and K’Juan Banks from Bolton give the Wolfpack the opportunity for floor spacing. Borders is very quick, knows when to make the right pass and knows how to finish in transition. Banks, at 6-3, is a big, athletic guard who can score from different areas on the floor. He can play both guard positions and will probably play at small forward at times, depending on the matchup.
Sprinkle in Banks and Borders to go with the team’s key returnees, Cordova will be tough to guard.
“They have been a tremendous gift to us,” Scales said. “KJ is just a hard-nosed, tough, athletic kid, very versatile. And Justin is just a dynamic, small guard. He’s very athletic. They both add dimensions to our team that were needed.
“Having those guys in addition to the guys that are returning, it’s been very well so far. Watching them in open gym situations, I just sit back and rub my hand like a mad scientist, saying ‘Just wait until we put something together.’”