Boy's Basketball Preview

James Wood

Coach:Al Smith, 4th season.

Last year:6-19 (0-8 Northwestern); Lost to Sherando in Region II Division 4 quarterfinals

Key losses:Mason Smith, Chris Skinner, Tyler Murphy, Joe Davet.

Key returnees:Chad Potter, Sr. G; T.J. Bruce, Jr. G/F; Jake Lewin, Sr. G; Ryland Williams So. G; Camden Butler, So. G; Mel Savarese, Sr. F; Michael Carter, Jr. G.

Top newcomer:Peyton Crickman, So. G.

Outlook:Though the Colonels record from last year doesn't look impressive, they were in just about every game against their district opponents.

James Wood finally put it all together in the postseason, beating Skyline and Millbrook in the district tournament to qualify for regionals, and Smith said the positive vibes from that postseason run have been evident for quite some time.

"After last season everyone had to turn in their uniforms," Smith said. "All the returnees, to a man, asked, 'When do we get started again?' They were really excited with the way they played at the end of last season."

Smith said that's a big part of why the Colonels' chemistry is the best he's seen in five years, dating back to when he was an assistant.

Though the Colonels no longer have Skinner, James Wood does return quick players like Potter (10 points a game), Williams (7.5) and Carter. Smith plans to take advantage of that speed, especially since he doesn't have much height beyond Savarese and Bruce (both 6-3).

"It's going to be like hockey on the hardwood," Smith said. "It's going to be five [players] in, five out. They're going to be playing short intervals, because we want to play up-tempo. We want to use our shooters and use the whole court."