Even with his team off to a 2-5 start, Jarrell High boys’ basketball coach Drew Sumner sees more similarities between this year’s team and last year’s regional round finalists than most.
“Even though we lost a lot from last season, we’ve got a good mix of young and experienced kids this year,” Sumner told Texas Scorecard. “We just haven’t hit the winning button yet for this season, but I still think that we can be right there if all goes as well as it can. I tell the guys we haven’t lost a district game yet.”
At this still-early point in the season, Sumner said the fixes needed by his Cougars are basic.
“We have to play better defense, rebound better and stop turning the ball over, things I would say that are in our control,” he said.
The inside-outside combination of 6-foot-5 senior center Cash Colbert and 5-foot-8 sophomore point guard Joseph Crothers leave Sumner believing anything is possible.
The two lead the Cougars in scoring at around 15 points per game each, along with setting the tone for everything else Jarrell is looking to accomplish.
“Cash has been around and his experience shows for us,” Sumner said. “With Crothers, in some ways he’s like our coach on the floor.”
Senior sharpshooter D’Andre Montemayor also figures into the mix on offense, while adding depth on the inside.
“I would say one of the biggest strengths this team has is we’ve got a group of kids with good attitudes that are willing to do whatever it takes to win,” Sumner added. “We’ve lost a few games now, but that attitude and spirit has stayed the same. I think everyone in this locker room still believes in one another and that’s part of the battle.”
Sumner said the Cougars were expecting to be a different team come district play time.
“Every district game should be close, but I think we should be right there,” he said. “We’ve been playing a tough schedule and in the end I think that will help us.”
