Season preview: FACS Crusaders
It’s championship or bust for FACS in 2021. There’s no other way to put it. This season will be considered a failure if the Crusaders aren’t the last team standing at the Division 1-A Boys’ State Tournament. I was on…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIt’s championship or bust for FACS in 2021.
There’s no other way to put it. This season will be considered a failure if the Crusaders aren’t the last team standing at the Division 1-A Boys’ State Tournament.
I was on hand Tuesday for the team’s open gym session.
Here are three observations from Tuesday.
Daniel Egbuniwe Daniel Egbuniwe 6'6" | SF FACS | 2022 State TN should be a Mr. Basketball finalist
There’s nothing standing in the way of the senior forward being one of three Mr. Basketball finalists in Division 1-A by season’s end. The 6-foot-7 forward showcased his ability to put the basketball on the floor, make shots from the perimeter, and contest shots at the rim. Egbuniwe is comfortable bringing the basketball up the floor in transition, and doesn’t mind going coast-to-coast. In half-court settings, he showed that he can take his defender off the dribble. Egbuniwe’s athleticism and strength will have him difficult to stop when he takes off into the air. I have already predicted that Egbuniwe will average a double-double in 2021. I’m not ready to say he’s going to win Mr. Basketball, but being a finalist shouldn’t be farfetched.
T.J. Thomas T.J. Thomas 6'1" | SG FACS | 2022 State TN is a leader FACS needs
The senior point guard looks primed to have a solid 2021 campaign. On Tuesday, he was going hard on every possession. Offensively, he was making great passes to his teammates, blowing past defenders in transition, all the way to rim for uncontested layups, and knocking down shots from 3-point range. Defensively, Thomas was moving his feet, staying in front of his man. His communication is very important on both ends of the floor. Thomas is going to be important for the Crusaders’ success in 2021. He’s the team’s ultimate warrior alongside senior point guard Kobe Wilkes, who’s another important piece to the team’s success. He will have to be productive on a nightly basis.
FACS has much-needed depth
Unlike 2020, the Crusaders will have much-needed depth in 2021, thanks to senior transfers Alex Harris IV and Rashaun Wise. Harris is a 6-5 small forward that’s capable of making shots from the perimeter. Wise is a 6-6 shooting guard that will help with spacing since he’s another prospect that can create his own shot. This was a match made in heaven for both parties. Wilkes gets the depth he desperately needed a season ago, and Wise and Harris, two players with great attitudes and team-first mentalities, will be placed in a great situation to show how productive they can be for a team that’s looking to finish the 2021 season as state champs.
Senior guard Corey Savage and junior shooting guard Grant Spain weren’t at the open gym session on Tuesday, but will be solid contributors for FACS. Savage is a proven scorer and has plenty of varsity experience. Spain made his presence felt on the offensive end during the BCAT Team Camp, as he was making shots from 3-point range.