Full cast of starters return from 21-win team

Jackson should be in fine shape as it starts this season with all its returning starters from last year's 21-8 squad, which advanced to sectionals before losing to Lindbergh.

The only problem for the Indians might be that four key players have missed the first couple of weeks of practice because they're also members of the football team.

But Jackson coach Darrin Scott thinks his team will be fine and he is excited about having an equally strong offense and defense led by his experienced guards.

"I really like our guard play coming into this year, and I really think we've got some good senior guards who are going to give us good leadership, so we'll be able to offensively dictate the kind of shots we're going to get and make sure we get a good shot," Scott said. "And then defensively, also be able to kind of dictate some things and doing a good job of getting us where we need to be."

Jackson has a number of scoring options, including Hunter Grantham, Spencer Goodman and Jake Leet.

Jackson senior guard Matt Lang will be looked upon to lead a strong defensive effort. (AARON EISENHAUER ~ photos@semissourian.com)

Grantham can shoot 15-footers well and has worked to improve his range to score occasional 3-pointers. Goodman is an inside and outside player who jumps, shoots and handles the ball well, Scott said. And Leet shot about 40 percent from 3-point range last year.

"We've got three or four kids if you're talking about knocking down a shot from the perimeter who I could reach in and draw their name out of a hat and I'd feel pretty good about them," Scott said.

Marcus Harris will again likely see a good deal of action at point guard.

Some other offensive contributors could include Caleb Guilliams, who came off the bench to hit three 3-pointers in the sectional loss last year, Kyle Keith, who can play some point guard, 6-foot-4 Andrew Shrum, who plays well in the post, and Cody Green, a wing player.

"We'll be able to go at least eight deep with some kids who can do different things and take different roles," Scott said. "So we hope that will be something that will benefit us."

Defensively, Scott is looking for guard Matt Lang to step up and play a big role.

"He is maybe a little undersized, but he usually ends up guarding the other team's best offensive player," Scott said.

Also playing important roles on defense could be Grantham, who is a strong rebounder, and 6-5 Antonio Garritano, who is athletic enough to be able to guard an opposing team's wing player. Scott added that he's hoping Garritano will step up on defense to stop opposing post players.

Approximately 95 percent of the time Jackson runs a half-court man-to-man defense.

"What we want to do is be a good fundamental, half-court man-to-man team, try to pressure the basketball and not give up any uncontested shots," he said.

Scott is excited about the season, but wants to take everything one step at a time.

"Right now what we're just trying to focus on is becoming as good as we can each day," he said. "If we can become a little bit better each day and improve each day, that's what our main focus has been -- to become the best basketball team we can be. Then when district time gets here, we'll see what happens."