Basketball Feature: Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
From the second half of last season until their final game in the district semifinals, the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs started to turn their season and program around.
Four players critical in the second-half run by the Mustangs last season return this year, as seniors Gage Waits, Ryan Inman and Marc Blankenship, along with sophomore Devin Pierson, look to use that momentum this year.
New head coach Matt Carson expects a lot of leadership from these four players, as they have the game experience to be leaders during critical times in games.
These four all began playing basketball at an early age, and all of them started their careers either in the Lynchburg youth program or at the YMCA from the ages of kindergarten to the fourth grade.
"Basketball has flown by," Waits said, who is entering his third year of varsity. "I'm glad it is here, and I'm ready to play. With three years of varsity and being a senior now, I'm more of a leader now, and it is something that I take pride in and look forward to."
What is great about this group of players is they all can lead by different examples. Some of the players are more vocal leaders, while others are able to show their leadership with their actions on the court.
"Being a senior, it is kind of scary knowing that it is already here," Blankenship said. "I'm looking forward to making the best of it."
One of the more mild-mannered players on the team, Inman, expressed his ability to lead on the court with his play one year ago. Inman, as a junior, was sixth in Highland County in scoring last year with 12 points per game, scoring 252 points in 21 regular-season games. He was a big part of the Mustangs' turnaround season, a year in which they won their sectional for the first time in a decade.
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"Being one of the leaders now, I like the fact I get more control of the court," Inman said. "We can not only control more things on the court, but off the court as well."
Blankenship also spoke about the extended leadership role.
"It is something I feel comfortable with," he said. "I've always enjoyed being in a leadership position, so to see others look up to me like I've looked up to our past seniors, it feels good to be in that spot."
As for Pierson, he was a starter from the get-go his freshman season, and he did make an impact for the Mustangs. Pierson was 12th in the county in scoring with 191 points (9.1 ppg) and proved he earned his spot as a varsity player his very first year in the program.
"I was nervous at the start of the season, but as the year went on, I was more comfortable playing," Pierson said. "It is exciting, and sure, you are going to get nervous, but you get used to it after a while. It's fun.
"I feel like I'm a better defensive player from where I was last year, and I feel our team can improve from our record from last year. We need a quicker start than what we had a year ago."
Waits and his teammates expect a lot from the team this season.
"I expect a lot from us this year," Waits said. "We want to make it past districts, but we know we have to continue to work hard. We'll have to face a lot of tough competition along the way, but it can only make us a better team."
Four players critical in the second-half run by the Mustangs last season return this year, as seniors Gage Waits, Ryan Inman and Marc Blankenship, along with sophomore Devin Pierson, look to use that momentum this year.
New head coach Matt Carson expects a lot of leadership from these four players, as they have the game experience to be leaders during critical times in games.
These four all began playing basketball at an early age, and all of them started their careers either in the Lynchburg youth program or at the YMCA from the ages of kindergarten to the fourth grade.
"Basketball has flown by," Waits said, who is entering his third year of varsity. "I'm glad it is here, and I'm ready to play. With three years of varsity and being a senior now, I'm more of a leader now, and it is something that I take pride in and look forward to."
What is great about this group of players is they all can lead by different examples. Some of the players are more vocal leaders, while others are able to show their leadership with their actions on the court.
"Being a senior, it is kind of scary knowing that it is already here," Blankenship said. "I'm looking forward to making the best of it."
One of the more mild-mannered players on the team, Inman, expressed his ability to lead on the court with his play one year ago. Inman, as a junior, was sixth in Highland County in scoring last year with 12 points per game, scoring 252 points in 21 regular-season games. He was a big part of the Mustangs' turnaround season, a year in which they won their sectional for the first time in a decade.
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"Being one of the leaders now, I like the fact I get more control of the court," Inman said. "We can not only control more things on the court, but off the court as well."
Blankenship also spoke about the extended leadership role.
"It is something I feel comfortable with," he said. "I've always enjoyed being in a leadership position, so to see others look up to me like I've looked up to our past seniors, it feels good to be in that spot."
As for Pierson, he was a starter from the get-go his freshman season, and he did make an impact for the Mustangs. Pierson was 12th in the county in scoring with 191 points (9.1 ppg) and proved he earned his spot as a varsity player his very first year in the program.
"I was nervous at the start of the season, but as the year went on, I was more comfortable playing," Pierson said. "It is exciting, and sure, you are going to get nervous, but you get used to it after a while. It's fun.
"I feel like I'm a better defensive player from where I was last year, and I feel our team can improve from our record from last year. We need a quicker start than what we had a year ago."
Waits and his teammates expect a lot from the team this season.
"I expect a lot from us this year," Waits said. "We want to make it past districts, but we know we have to continue to work hard. We'll have to face a lot of tough competition along the way, but it can only make us a better team."