Team Preview: Jenks (6A)
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The Jenks Trojans will look to gather early victories behind a young but deep roster, coach Clay Martin said. “If we can find a way to grind some wins out early, I think our team has got the making to…
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Continue ReadingThe Jenks Trojans will look to gather early victories behind a young but deep roster, coach Clay Martin said.
“If we can find a way to grind some wins out early, I think our team has got the making to be another good team,” Martin said. “Hopefully we’re going to be able to play some guys and be able to keep everyone fresh.”
Three starters return for Jenks: juniors Chase Martin Chase Martin 6'5" | SG Jenks | 2022 State OK and Ben Averitt Ben Averitt 6'5" | SF Jenks | 2022 State OK and senior Stephen Kittleman.
Chase, coach Martin’s son, is regarded as the best prospect in the Oklahoma 2022 class. Coach Martin credited the pairing of Chase and Averitt.
“I think it’s really neat because they do play well together,” coach Martin said. “When Chase gets into the lane or is driving the basketball, he’s able to find Ben and get the ball to him in scoring positions. Ben is so good around the rim.
“On the flip-side, Ben is just a tremendous penetrator, so when he puts the ball on the floor, it creates a lot of attention and help, and so it frees up Chase and other guys for shooting opportunities,” Martin said.
Kittleman, the Trojans’ three-year starting quarterback, will not be able to offer his services until the conclusion of Jenks’s playoff-run. Martin credited Kittleman’s experience on the football field to helping the Trojans in pivotal moments.
“[Kittleman] has been in a lot of big moments, and so he’s never rattled, and with the ups-and-downs of basketball, he does a great job of keeping our team grounded ,” Martin said. “He’s just a gamer. . . No moment is too big for him.”
Martin also said he will focus to developing younger guards during Kittleman’s absence.
“We’ve got to find a way to win early with our youth in the back-court until we get Stephen back,” Martin said.
Junior guards Cain Smith and Seth Wilkins, as well as senior forward Carson Cooper, will return after playing significant minutes in 2020. Six-foot-8-inch forward Noah Borchers will help the Trojans at the post, Martin said.
Two sophomore guards, Gron Tata and Dylan Golightly Dylan Golightly 6'4" | SG Jenks | 2023 State OK , are in the hunt to play expanded roles for Jenks, Martin said.
“[Tata] is a bulldog on the ball defensively and a really good decision-maker offensively,” Martin said. “Dylan can really stretch the floor and make shots.”
Alex Dodder, also a sophomore, could have an expanded role for the Trojans.
“He’s a very versatile player and can play just about every position on the floor,” Martin said. “He’s got a great feel for the game.
“We’ve got some kids that have never played in a varsity game that we think are gonna be really, really good,” Martin said. “Those three sophomores have played really well. . . What they’re doing is giving our staff some comfort.”
Three juniors, Colton Coffey, Jacob Dickson and Jacob Simmons, are also battling for more playing time, Martin said.
“We’ve got a lot of sophomores and juniors on this team that are kind of battling,” Martin said.
Albert Diarra, a 6-foot-8-inch transfer, will be Martin’s “wild card,” he said.
“[Albert] is really long and athletic, can run the floor, has guard-skill, and can also play inside,” Martin said.
Six-foot-8-inch center Noah Borchers will also play minutes at the post, Martin said.
Martin said the Trojans’ goal is to get back to the State Tournament after qualifying in 2020, and he reiterated that young talent will be a key to Jenks’s success.
“We’ve got so much young talent on our team,” Martin said. “If we can find a way to get back this year, we’re setting ourself up for some new opportunities.