TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Streaks Stay Home For Season Tip-Off

Ben Smidt/Highlands Today

Sebring's T.J. Williams leads the Blue Streak boys basketball team into tonight's Preseason Classic at Sebring High School.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Brian Gjurgevich | Highlands Today

Published: November 13, 2007

SEBRING –– The Sebring basketball team has grown tired of hitting the road to tip-off their basketball season.

Solution? Bring the competition home.

The Blue Streaks host the inaugural Preseason Classic tonight and Thursday at SHS, a four-team exhibition Sebring coach Princeton Harris hopes will get his team off to a positive start.

"We're tired of always having to go somewhere," Harris said. "We figure we'd give the guys a break and stay home."

The feeling around the home gym was positive on Monday morning as the Streaks welcomed senior starters T.J. Williams and Sam Robinson back from football duties. Both are expected to provide leadership on and off the court, and Harris said their presence was felt immediately.

"I'm riding T.J. and Sam a lot for leadership and I think they're stepping up to the challenge," said Harris, whose team finished 11-14 overall last season. "They definitely came out and were a spark plug for the team: I don't have to say much, because they'll get on each other and the other guys, and it makes everyone work harder."

The Streaks return five seniors and welcome two transfers, including former Avon Park point guard Javier Medina, to the mix this season. Harris said Medina has shown a strong work ethic and may play his way into a starting role. He noted junior Chris Grubb has put in the bulk of the team's offseason workload, and his commitment has been evident thus far in his play.

"Chris has done a tremendous job," Harris said. "He was in the gym taking 600 shots a day and really working hard in the weight room –– he's really dedicated himself."

Two talented sophomores –– 6-foot-7-inch post Robert Campbell and guard Joe Young –– paid their dues at the JV level last year and are expected to make the leap to varsity playing time. And speaking of leaping, Harris said sophomore Glen Patton will also see time on the floor.

"[Patton's] 6-foot, but he jumps like a guy who's 6-7," Harris said. "His nickname is 'the helicopter.' "

Harris said his veterans may need to carry the young players through their growing pains, but was optimistic about his team's chances as the season moves forward, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

"We know if we can stop you from scoring, we're confident we can turn around and score," Harris said, noting his team has the ability to play up-tempo or half-court, depending on the opponent. "We're stressing defense, and if we play together as a team, good things will happen."

The Streaks kick off the season at 7:30 tonight against Sunrise Christian, following Lake Gibson and Walker Academy's 6 p.m. game. They take to the home floor again on Thursday night, when they'll meet Lake Gibson at 7:30 p.m. Game tickets will be at the gym, and season tickets are available at the school.

"We're hoping to see some fans out, because we're looking forward to an exciting year," Harris said. "We're just excited to get started."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT