#TerryTalks Catching Up With The Clay-Chalkville Cougars
The Clay-Chalkville varsity boys program finished the 2021-2022 season with an 11-20 record. Despite finishing barely above .500, head coach Chris Richardson is excited about what the future holds for his program. As the Cougars gear up for the…
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Continue ReadingThe Clay-Chalkville varsity boys program finished the 2021-2022 season with an 11-20 record. Despite finishing barely above .500, head coach Chris Richardson is excited about what the future holds for his program.
As the Cougars gear up for the month of June, I had a chance to catch up with Coach Richardson and was able to ask him, what are three things he wants to see from his team throughout the month of June, and he replied:
- I’m looking to build team chemistry.
- Define roles.
- Continue to improve each player’s skill level and body.
Coach is still working to build culture and expectations with his team and is looking to build a foundation that will lead to future success.
Key Returning Players:
Davon Cheatham-Taylor (6’1/Wing/2023)
Instagram: @jd.davon
Twitter: @Cheatham04
Davon is a two-way player that gets it done on both ends of the floor. His on-ball defense is what will fuel the Cougars on the defensive end of the floor. He has active hands and quick lateral movement and makes ball-handlers extremely uncomfortable when guarding them. Offensively, you have to account for his ability to knock down the trey ball, but it is his ability to get to the rack that causes the most problems. He is quick off the bounce and gets downhill in a hurry. He will need to be a scoring option that the cougars can go to night in and night out.
Kevin Kirk, Jr. (6’1/Guard/2024)
Instagram: kj_kirk_
Twitter: @KJKirk4
Kevin is one of the best defenders on the Cougars squad. He knows where to be defensively and rarely gets caught out of position. He moves well with the flight of the ball and understands rotations. Offensively he gets it done at all levels and could be a primary option for scoring on any given night.
Tiawan Hardy, Jr. (6’3|G/F|2023)
Instagram: Afnfhardy
Twitter: @Afnfhardy
Tiawan is a very talented and athletic wing player with a lot of versatility on both ends of the court. Defensively, at the high school level, he has the ability to guard all positions. His athleticism and his ability to score at all levels make him a difficult player to defend. He will often be the 1st or 2nd scoring option for the Cougars. He will probably emerge as the leader of the squad by the time the month of June is over.
Players Ready To Make A Difference:
Cordae Averette (6’6/Center/2023)
Instagram: _corda3
Twitter: @_cordae12
One thing Coach Richardson said he needed from Cordae from last season to next season is an improvement with his body. He needed to get stronger, have more balance, and be more explosive. Cordae has improved drastically in those areas, and Coach believes that because of the transformation and continued development, Cordae will have a significant impact on both sides of the court.
Devon McKinnon Devon McKinnon 6'5" | SG Clay Chalkville | 2025 State AL (6’1/Wing/2025)
Instagram: nolimit0dev
Twitter: @Devon74992052
Coach Richardson is very high on Devon. Devon was considered a catch-and-shoot guy last year, but the coach is looking for his role to expand this year. Devon has improved his ability to score off the bounce, which should loosen up the coverage on the Cougars’ snipers around the arc. June will show how much growth Devon has done, and the eyes of the Cougars’ coaching staff will be on Devon.
Here’s Where You Can Catch The Cougars In June:
June 3rd: Hoover HS
June 7th: Leeds HS
June 11th: Midfield HS
June 14th: Hoover HS
June 21st & 22nd: Birmingham Southern