Sports - December 2003

Highly-anticipated season for Wolves

By JOHN MARK BROOKS, Staff Writer

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Expectations for Bob Cowie and his 2003 basketball team at Lincolnton High School are high. Actually, they couldn’t be any higher.

“We want to win the conference and advance into the playoffs as far as we can. Last year we finished third in the conference and advanced to the second round of the playoffs, so we hope to improve on that with all of them back,”

The Wolves went 17-10 last year and return all five starters, a rarity in basketball.

Leading the pack will be senior Eric Wilson. Wilson is the reigning Midwest 2A Conference Player of the year having scored at a 22 points per night clip last season.

His running mate, also an all-conference selection, is Darren Wilson who averaged 19 points per outing in 2002. The Wolves look to him to get the offense rolling.

Sophomore Zack Gibson , who finished the 2002 season in the starting lineup, could be a long-range threat for the Wolves.

“He can shoot the ball, but needs to be more consistent,” Cowie said. “Zack can be streaky at times, but with a year under his belt he should be much improved.

When it comes to speed and jumping ability the Wolves will look to forward Jordy Jefferies. Jordy was a solid contributor last year averaging eight points and six rebounds every time out.

 Brant Eagle is a 6’5” post player who will need to provide solid rebounding and a defensive presence for the Wolves to advance further in the playoffs than last year.

Cowie, who’s been a coach at Lincolnton since 1994 feels his team is laden with ability.

“It’s the most talented team that we’ve had since I’ve been at Lincolnton,” he said.

The key ingredient to the Wolves potential success is the experience that the Wilsons, among others, bring to the table. Cowie will also need the supporting Wolves’ cast to emerge as consistent players.

“They’re now in their fourth year playing varsity basketball so they have a lot of experience. They are certainly our two leaders. We have to have some others step up and play with them. They’ve proven themselves over the last two years that they are going to be players, so now we need the others to do the same,” Cowie said.

Jefferies is one of the Wolves that has struggled to be consistent.

“Some in the past have showed signs of being pretty good players, but they have to be more consistent. Jordy is very athletic, can rebound extremely well and can score, but he just has to do those things more consistently,” Cowie said.

Another player to watch, is Josh Keener. Keener, a 6’3” post-player may start according to Cowie.

“Josh plays harder than anyone we have. He’s been working extremely hard in practice, is very coachable and brings solid defense and rebounding which is what we need out of him,” he said.

Not only will Cowie need his starters to step up, but he will need quality depth from his bench.

“As a group some of them that have moved up from the JV team will have to step up and help us. Kyle Whitesides, Kyle Snyder a 6’1” post-player, Dusty Friday, Bradley Hunter, Edwin Barber, Dustin Metts and Richard Carlton all need to contribute” Cowie said.

The Wolves season will open at home against South Point on Tuesday.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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