HOOPS: Crockett teams look for continued growth

Both Crockett County basketball teams earned spots in the Region 7-AA tournament last year, and both teams feel like they can be even better this year.

The Lady Cavaliers return three starters from last year and have worked in the offseason to try and earn a spot in the district championship game.

“They are great kids, and they are willing to work,” Crockett County girls coach Kayla Irvin said. “We have a ton of work to do once practice starts, but they are willing to do it.”

Crockett County will be led by its three seniors in Elli Pratt, Emily White and Bailey Taylor.

“They are going to be huge for us this season,” Irvin said. “They are tough kids, and they are our leaders on and off the court. The younger kids look to them to lead, and those three are follow-able as it is hard to be leaders if there is no one willing to follow you.”

But after the three seniors and one junior, the rest of the Lady Cavaliers’ roster is made up of eight sophomores and four freshmen.

“We are going to have lots of young kids getting playing time,” Irvin said. “I don’t know what that is going to look like yet, but they are ready to battle for playing time. Our older players have told them how important the younger players are going to me. We are just not sure which of the younger players it is going to be right now.”

Irvin said that the key to Crockett County’s success will be on the defensive end of the court.

“I hope our identity is on the defensive end of the floor,” she said. “A big thing in sports is about how we go about things, and this team is a family, and I am excited to see how we do.”

The Cavaliers have four starters returning from last season, and they hope to also contend for a spot in the district championship game.

“We lost two seniors, but we have 15 others back with experience,” Crockett County boys coach Jerrod Shelton said. “I am excited about this bunch because they are receptive to coaching. We have some really good guys that want to do what they are supposed to do to win.”

Crockett County has five seniors this year, but there are plenty of juniors and sophomores behind them for a deep squad.

“One of strengths will be depth,” Shelton said. “We have 10 to 11 kids that I can play. Josh Welch is our leader and senior point guard, but there is not much difference between him and those No. 9 and 10 guys.”

Westview was the heavy favorite last year as the Chargers reached the Class AA state tournament, but District 13-AA this year doesn’t have one team expected to be better than the rest.

“It is wide open,” Shelton said. “Obion County has a huge front line. Dyersburg isn’t big, but they are solid. Westview can shoot the ball well. The team that defends and takes care of the ball will win the tournament.”

And taking care of the ball will be important for the Cavaliers all season.

“We have got to make sure we limit turnovers,” Shelton said. “We want to be up-tempo, and we want to be fast, but we don’t shoot the ball well enough to turn the ball over 15 times and win. We are getting better shooting, but we are not going to make seven, eight, nine 3s. Our goal is to be at eight turnovers or less, and if we do that, we have a chance to win.”

Michael Odom, 425-9754

Crockett County Cavaliers

Last year’s record/finish: 14-17 (4-6)/4th in District 13-AA

2 key returners: Josh Welch (PG); Carlos Sharp (P)

2 key series: Westview (Jan. 10 at home; Jan. 27 on road); Dyersburg (Jan. 24 at home; Feb. 10 on road)

Crockett County Lady Cavaliers

Last year’s record/finish: 17-13 (4-6)/3rd in District 13-AA

2 key returners: Elli Pratt (G); Bailey Taylor (G)

2 key series: South Gibson (Jan. 17 on road; Feb. 3 at home); Dyersburg (Jan. 24 at home; Feb. 10 on road)