Error processing SSI file
|
MCEACHERN'S DYNAMIC DUO SHREDS A.C. FLORA
Published on: 12/21/2002
Section: SPORTS
Edition: FINAL
Page: C5
By CHRIS DEARING, Special Correspondent
Memo: CHICK-FIL-A CLASSIC
Illustration: PHOTO: BW
Caption: McEachern's David Adams rises above the A.C. Flora defense
for a shot during Friday's game at Richland Northeast in the Chick-Fil-A
Classic. SEAN RAYFORD/SPECIAL TO THE STATE
There's more than one reason McEachern High is one of the top Class
AAAAA teams from Georgia.
The reasons are 6-foot-6 senior forward Morris Almond and 6- 8
junior guard/forward Josh Smith.
The duo combined to score 33 points as the Indians routed A.C. Flora
71-48 Friday night during the second day of the Chick-fil-A Classic
at Richland Northeast.
"Those two can definitely play," McEachern coach Doug Westerfield
said. "They both do so many things to help us. They don't always
have to shoot it well for us to be sucessful."
Almond and Smith are almost interchangeable. Both play above the rim
and like to get out on the break and fill the lanes. Almond, rated
among the top 125 seniors by Prepstars, already has committed to
Rice. Smith, on the other hand, is one of the top 5 juniors in the
country. Most of the top 10 programs in the country are in contact
with Smith. Duke, Kentucky, Georgia, and LSU are among the schools
recruiting him.
Almond averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds last season in leading the
Indians to an 18-7 record. Smith was just as impressive with 21
points a game and 10 rebounds.
"They make me look good as a coach, that's for sure," Westerfield
said.
They both wasted little time showing the crowd at Richland Northeast
that both rankings are well deserved.
Smith made his prescence known early. He scored the first three
McEachern points on a free throw and a layup on a fast break. Smith
caught the lob from outside of the top of the key and took to the
air from behind the free-throw line to lay it in. On the defensive
end, he blocked the Falcons' second shot of the game.
Almond added the next points on a smooth move in the lane that he
finished despite being fouled.
"Josh (Smith) runs the floor as well as any big man that I've seen,"
Westerfield said. "He's also an excellent shot blocker. Morris
(Almond's) best asset is his outside shooting. He plays well on both
ends."
Almond has been nominated for the McDonald's All-American. Next
season, Smith will certainly follow in those footsteps. Almond will
join former Lexington High player Alex Spotts at Rice next fall.
"I feel I can do a lot of things well," Almond said. "I don't do any
one thing extremely well, I can just do a lot of different things."
Smith can get out on the floor or be a force from the perimeter. He
became so well known at the adidas ABCD camp. He was an All-Star two
years ago and this past summer was named No. 1 overall.
"I like to go to the glass hard and get out and run," Smith said. "I
think I'm more effective when I can get out in transition."
GO BACK TO THE LIST OF ARTICLE |
|
|
