2020 Preview: Norman (6A)
The Norman Tigers finished 12-14 in 2019, including three ranked wins. Norman coach Rodney Dindy thinks that win total could increase in 2020, however. “For one, I think our guys really want to be successful,” Dindy said, “I think our…
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Continue ReadingThe Norman Tigers finished 12-14 in 2019, including three ranked wins.
Norman coach Rodney Dindy thinks that win total could increase in 2020, however.
“For one, I think our guys really want to be successful,” Dindy said, “I think our guys really want a chance for a State Championship.
“I think we have a shot at it.”
Leading the way for the Tigers this season will be Ben Emmert (Sr. Point-F, pictured above), a crafty three-level scorer who can leave a mark from anywhere on the floor, averaging 18 points and 8 rebounds in his junior campaign.
“Our expectation is nothing less than a championship,” Emmert said. “We’ve been playing together — I don’t know, some of us — for like five or six years so that’s just our ultimate goal this year.”
Jonah Paden (Sr. PF, pictured below), a powerful, athletic scorer, will be contributing at the high post with Emmert.
Jonah Paden (courtesy of Channe Keenan)“[Emmert and Paden] are three-to-four, two guys,” Dindy said. “They can put it on the floor, they can post you, they can shoot it, they rebound it really well.
“That makes it hard to cover.”
Returning big-man Grant Goodson (Sr. C), a 6-foot-6-inch, 267-pound freight train, will round out the Tigers’ front-court.
“Grant has evolved a lot,” Emmert said. “He’s gonna be a big piece.”
With both Paden and Emmert averaging in double-figures last season, Norman is one of few teams to return its two leading-scorers; and a new face in the lineup will help the Tigers to be even more versatile.
Transfer point guard Trentez Scales (Sr. PG), who started for Putnam City West in 2019, will add craft, shot-creating and leadership to the floor on the offensive end.
“Trentez really solidified the starting point guard spot for us,” Dindy said. “He really makes us go as far as offensively and gets us in the right places and the right spots.”
Jaden Bray during his sophomore summer.Connor Goodson (So. G) will be the youngest in the rotation, but he’s no newcomer; Goodson started in fifteen games as a freshman.
Jaden Bray (Jr. SG), who started at the point guard position in 2019, adds bursty speed to the Norman starting lineup, and he can likely be among the most potent two-way weapons for the Tigers in his junior campaign.
Dalen Richard (Sr. PG) and Isaiah Milvo (Sr. SG) will each be significant contributors in their own respects; Richard can defend the ball and get to the rim, while Milvo is an elite spot-up shooter who can be a damaging 3-and-D-type of player.
“The senior leadership is a lot better than what we’ve had in the past,” Dindy said, “These guys understand their role[s]. . . we’re all on the same page.
“I really think the leadership has been exceptional.”
Ben Emmert said that the Norman back-court will see tremendous improvements from 2019.
“This summer, we’ve gotten really strong in our back-court,” Emmert said. “I feel like it’s one of the best in the state.
Emmert also mentioned the challenges the Tigers will face in 2020.
“We’re gonna definitely have to lock-in, for sure on defense,” Emmert said. “I feel like it’s gonna take a lot, but we can do it.”
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