TIFTON — Basketballs are bouncing again in Chula.
After a successful 24-3 season in which the Panthers made the Class AA quarterfinals, Tiftarea Academy will open the 2009-2010 basketball season on the road in Dasher against Georgia Christian tonight.
Head coach Chip Champion’s Panthers will not have All-State performer Tay Mallory or three-point threat Josh Haynes this season due to graduation, but Tiftarea’s head coach remains optimistic about his team’s chances in 2009.
“Well, we only have one starter back, but I think we are a lot deeper team this season. We could play as many as 11 or 12 guys,” Champion said.
“We will look to play uptempo on offense and play a man-to-man defense. We want to make layups and defend.”
The one returning starter, Wes Carter, is a junior and according to Champion, “could have more experience than our other players — combined.”
“He may have to carry the mail for us early.”
This is Carter’s third year on the varsity team.
Another experienced Tiftarea player is Chad Bowen. Bowen provided a spark off the bench last season and played valuable minutes for the Panthers.
Colby Czerepinski will be counted on at point guard, although Champion says as many as four or five players will handle the ball during the game.
“Colby bailed us out in the region title game (last season),” Champion said.
Czerepinski will look to score, but will not be asked to carry the load.
“I told the guys that if we have 8 or 9 guys averaging ten points — then that’s a bunch of points that the other team will have to try and catch up,” the coach said.
Other players that Champion and assistant coach Dan Henderson will look for are Clay Tapp, Sumner McWhorter, Garrett Rippy, Clayton Dukes and Govind Chhina.
Each of those players sans Chhina also play football for coach Marvin Barton’s team.
Champion is a firm believer in playing football.
“I think that football helps especially between the ears — because of the mentality. Basketball and football are in the same breath as far as a mentality.”
As far as the region goes, Champion believes that the Panthers and Sherwood will decide the championship in Region 3-AA.
“Sherwood has the Green kid who is Dontonio Wingfield’s son, and I am sure some of the football players that came from Albany High will come out to play as well.”
“I will be interested to see what happens.”
The Panthers home opener will be Tuesday against Citizens Christian.
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