The Case for Cannon: If Cougars mature quickly, 2019-20 season can be special
BY TONY FORTIER-BENSEN Special to the Independent Tribune
CONCORD – There’s no question that the Cannon Cougars boys basketball team is talen
The team is led by sophomore Jaden Bradley, the Class of 2022’s No. 1-ranked point guard and seventh overall in the nation, according to 24/7sports.com, and D.J. Nix, a sophomore power forward with multiple Division I offers.
Bradley was named to MaxPreps.com’s Freshman All-America Team, while Nix received honorable mention.
The Cougars also have standout players like Jarvis Moss, a junior 3-point sharpshooter, and another sophomore stud in 7-foot Christian Reeves.
With all this talent, the Cougars are hoping -- expecting -- to take the next step as a program from last year, when they finished 18-13, were third in their conference, and were bounced out in the second round of the private-school state playoffs.
But they’re extremely young. In their game against Cardinal Newman last Friday, they didn’t play a single senior. In order for them to reach the next step, Cannon coach Che Roth said it’ll depend on their maturation process.
“For us, our maturity has to grow with our schedule,” he said. “We don't have the luxury -- and I don't want the luxury -- of rolling through and figuring it out against teams we’re more talented than. We don't know how good we are that way.”
One thing that’ll help the growth and development of the Cannon players is facing off against good teams. With an 8-3 record entering tonight’s game at Hickory Grove Christian, they’ve already played three teams that won state titles last season: Cardinal Newman of South Carolina, Greenfield of Wilson and Greensboro Day.
Playing good competition means playing in close games. Last year, the Cougars finished 1-3 in games decided by four points or fewer. This year, they’re 3-3 after nine games.
“I think it’s part of growth, being in tight games, but you got to get up for this stuff.” Roth said. “These kids are really talented, but they’re still 15 and 16 years old, so their maturity process needs to bring it every night.”
Roth added that because of Nix and Bradley’s high prospect rankings, they will be a hunted team. Even at an average 18-13 record last year, they have a target, with opposing players wanting to improve their own brand and stock.
As part of the maturation process, both Nix and Bradley took the lessons from their first varsity basketball experience as freshmen to improve their games this season.
“It was a definite change from AAU,” said Nix. “I know that the style of play is more organized, but it put me in a position where I know I have to step up and make plays for my team. I have to perform every night.”
Nix said he spent the offseason working on his ball-handling skills and his shot, both from the 3-point line, his mid-range game and free throws. Against Cardinal Newman, he shot 4-for-6 from the 3-point line and 7-for-7 from the free-throw line.
For Bradley, he noted the physicality and speed playing against older guys and spent more time working out.
“The game from middle school to high school was faster, more physical, so I had to work on getting my strength up and my speed up,” Bradley, who has offers from Wake Forest, Florida State, Florida, Tennessee, Auburn and DePaul
But in order for a team to succeed, it can’t be a two-man band. Roth said players like Moss, Reeves, and Elijah Ormiston – who is a junior but going through his first year playing varsity basketball -- will need to grow fast as well.
“We need Jarvis Moss to take the next step,” Roth said. “Toward the end of the year, people realized this kid can really shoot the cover off the ball, but now people know … he’s worked exceptionally hard to be a complete basketball player, so we need him to take the next step.”
Reeves, the 7-foot center who played varsity ball at Providence Day last season, is currently injured. But Roth said when he returns, he’ll solidify the back line and transform the defense.
On top of that, players like Deuce Rolle, A.J. Pierce, Prashant Hill, Jaylen Dibble (who is also injured) will have pivotal roles to fill for the Cougars to have success.
We have a special group,” Roth said. “I believe in the kids 100 percent. We’re going to go through some stuff in a course of a season. Unfortunately for us, we’ve been through it three back-breaking times, but we’ll learn how quickly we will get back up from them.”
BY TONY FORTIER-BENSEN Special to the Independent Tribune
CONCORD – There’s no question that the Cannon Cougars boys basketball team is talen
The team is led by sophomore Jaden Bradley, the Class of 2022’s No. 1-ranked point guard and seventh overall in the nation, according to 24/7sports.com, and D.J. Nix, a sophomore power forward with multiple Division I offers.
Bradley was named to MaxPreps.com’s Freshman All-America Team, while Nix received honorable mention.
The Cougars also have standout players like Jarvis Moss, a junior 3-point sharpshooter, and another sophomore stud in 7-foot Christian Reeves.
With all this talent, the Cougars are hoping -- expecting -- to take the next step as a program from last year, when they finished 18-13, were third in their conference, and were bounced out in the second round of the private-school state playoffs.
But they’re extremely young. In their game against Cardinal Newman last Friday, they didn’t play a single senior. In order for them to reach the next step, Cannon coach Che Roth said it’ll depend on their maturation process.
“For us, our maturity has to grow with our schedule,” he said. “We don't have the luxury -- and I don't want the luxury -- of rolling through and figuring it out against teams we’re more talented than. We don't know how good we are that way.”
One thing that’ll help the growth and development of the Cannon players is facing off against good teams. With an 8-3 record entering tonight’s game at Hickory Grove Christian, they’ve already played three teams that won state titles last season: Cardinal Newman of South Carolina, Greenfield of Wilson and Greensboro Day.
Playing good competition means playing in close games. Last year, the Cougars finished 1-3 in games decided by four points or fewer. This year, they’re 3-3 after nine games.
“I think it’s part of growth, being in tight games, but you got to get up for this stuff.” Roth said. “These kids are really talented, but they’re still 15 and 16 years old, so their maturity process needs to bring it every night.”
Roth added that because of Nix and Bradley’s high prospect rankings, they will be a hunted team. Even at an average 18-13 record last year, they have a target, with opposing players wanting to improve their own brand and stock.
As part of the maturation process, both Nix and Bradley took the lessons from their first varsity basketball experience as freshmen to improve their games this season.
“It was a definite change from AAU,” said Nix. “I know that the style of play is more organized, but it put me in a position where I know I have to step up and make plays for my team. I have to perform every night.”
Nix said he spent the offseason working on his ball-handling skills and his shot, both from the 3-point line, his mid-range game and free throws. Against Cardinal Newman, he shot 4-for-6 from the 3-point line and 7-for-7 from the free-throw line.
For Bradley, he noted the physicality and speed playing against older guys and spent more time working out.
“The game from middle school to high school was faster, more physical, so I had to work on getting my strength up and my speed up,” Bradley, who has offers from Wake Forest, Florida State, Florida, Tennessee, Auburn and DePaul
But in order for a team to succeed, it can’t be a two-man band. Roth said players like Moss, Reeves, and Elijah Ormiston – who is a junior but going through his first year playing varsity basketball -- will need to grow fast as well.
“We need Jarvis Moss to take the next step,” Roth said. “Toward the end of the year, people realized this kid can really shoot the cover off the ball, but now people know … he’s worked exceptionally hard to be a complete basketball player, so we need him to take the next step.”
Reeves, the 7-foot center who played varsity ball at Providence Day last season, is currently injured. But Roth said when he returns, he’ll solidify the back line and transform the defense.
On top of that, players like Deuce Rolle, A.J. Pierce, Prashant Hill, Jaylen Dibble (who is also injured) will have pivotal roles to fill for the Cougars to have success.
We have a special group,” Roth said. “I believe in the kids 100 percent. We’re going to go through some stuff in a course of a season. Unfortunately for us, we’ve been through it three back-breaking times, but we’ll learn how quickly we will get back up from them.”
