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| Eagles Landing Projected Starting five of Seniors (from left to right) Trevin Joseph, Desmond Ringer, Isaiah Dennis, Chris Davenport, Eric Wortham |
Eagles Landing HS has quietly won 54 games and made back to
back Final 4 runs the past two years, only to lose to eventual State Champion
Columbia twice. This season, head coach Clay Crump may have the most talented starting five in the entire state of Georgia. Speaking with BCB, Crump speaks candidly, "Well, expectations have never been higher at Eagle's Landing as we are pre-season #1 in some polls and we have the ability to live up to it if we play our roles, play defense, stay humble, rebound the ball. We definitely have the talent to do it.”
With new imports 6'2 senior guard Trevin Joseph from Stockbridge HS and 6'8 senior forward Chris Davenport from Montverde Academy (FL) to compliment three returning senior starters, it is easy to understand why there is great excitement and optimism in McDonough, GA this time of year. The coach states, "Chris brings a lot of experience – incredible athlete, really good competitor, very good defender-understands timing, is a good teammate, blends well and makes other people around him better. He takes pressure off Desmond inside. Trevin is a scorer. He's a very good finisher in transition, really solid and good athlete. He is learning what we need him to do defensively. He stretches the floor with his shooting." The newcomers join reigning Region Player of the Year Eric Wortham, South Carolina big man commit Desmond Ringer, and the electric, athletic PG in Isaiah Dennis. As juniors Dennis led the balanced team in scoring at 14ppg, Wortham (13.7ppg), and Ringer (12ppg). Dennis's progression at the point guard position has the coaching staff feeling even more comfortable than last year. Crump believes, "Isaiah’s development at point-learning to put people in the right position. He made huge strides this summer. He is incredibly fast in transition and now his better understanding of pick n’roll situations and [overall basketball IQ] are so much better this year."
With new imports 6'2 senior guard Trevin Joseph from Stockbridge HS and 6'8 senior forward Chris Davenport from Montverde Academy (FL) to compliment three returning senior starters, it is easy to understand why there is great excitement and optimism in McDonough, GA this time of year. The coach states, "Chris brings a lot of experience – incredible athlete, really good competitor, very good defender-understands timing, is a good teammate, blends well and makes other people around him better. He takes pressure off Desmond inside. Trevin is a scorer. He's a very good finisher in transition, really solid and good athlete. He is learning what we need him to do defensively. He stretches the floor with his shooting." The newcomers join reigning Region Player of the Year Eric Wortham, South Carolina big man commit Desmond Ringer, and the electric, athletic PG in Isaiah Dennis. As juniors Dennis led the balanced team in scoring at 14ppg, Wortham (13.7ppg), and Ringer (12ppg). Dennis's progression at the point guard position has the coaching staff feeling even more comfortable than last year. Crump believes, "Isaiah’s development at point-learning to put people in the right position. He made huge strides this summer. He is incredibly fast in transition and now his better understanding of pick n’roll situations and [overall basketball IQ] are so much better this year."
A freak accident derailed the Golden Eagles title run last year when Wortham went down with a season ending and life threatening seizure that shocked the Eagles Landing community. Wortham has fully healed and Eagles Landing offers a balanced attack that will have opposing coaches scratching their heads trying to game-plan to stop them. The only weakness appears to be a short bench. However, Crump feels good about his depth, "We can play deep. There is a drop-off [because of how good that first five is] but we have enough depth to get it done." Eagles Landing can turn to super-sub Jordan Sessions, a 6'7 junior forward who has the versatility to go inside or step out to the perimeter and would start for most teams across the state.
Eric Wortham's story is a remarkable one in itself and a reminder to all people, and athletes to live every day to the fullest. An athlete is sometimes one play away from a season-ending or career-altering moment. Coach Crump says, "Eric always reminds us that its a blessing to play the game and not a right. If talented kids can keep that perspective then they can accomplish good things."
Crump likes his team and selfless spirit they have. He continues "A coach with this many Seniors is typically concerned with selfishness and guys worried about stats. But I am not concerned about that. They enjoy playing team basketball. They are high-character kids. A very exciting team. Everyone that watched them play this summer enjoyed it. They don’t play entitled. The core has been together since they were sophomores." However, Crump cautions, "We don’t want to peak too early. We play in some big tournaments early in season (City of Palms). We want to be playing our best basketball in March, not December!"
If this team continues to check their ego at the door, there seems to be limitless potential for what they could accomplish this season.
Eagles Landing will face Allatoona HS in their first scrimmage at home this Wednesday, at 7:30pm
Eric Wortham's story is a remarkable one in itself and a reminder to all people, and athletes to live every day to the fullest. An athlete is sometimes one play away from a season-ending or career-altering moment. Coach Crump says, "Eric always reminds us that its a blessing to play the game and not a right. If talented kids can keep that perspective then they can accomplish good things."
Crump likes his team and selfless spirit they have. He continues "A coach with this many Seniors is typically concerned with selfishness and guys worried about stats. But I am not concerned about that. They enjoy playing team basketball. They are high-character kids. A very exciting team. Everyone that watched them play this summer enjoyed it. They don’t play entitled. The core has been together since they were sophomores." However, Crump cautions, "We don’t want to peak too early. We play in some big tournaments early in season (City of Palms). We want to be playing our best basketball in March, not December!"
If this team continues to check their ego at the door, there seems to be limitless potential for what they could accomplish this season.
Eagles Landing will face Allatoona HS in their first scrimmage at home this Wednesday, at 7:30pm
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