Post power could leave foes in Wonder

KANNAPOLIS — A.L. Brown’s boys basketball team may have played indoors last season, but there were very few occasions when it played inside.

The 2000-01 Wonders had more guards than the average federal prison and usually spent not-for-the-faint-of-heart evenings in historic J.W. Bullock Gym launching 3-pointers from neighboring parking lots.

The guys jacking up those 3s — graduated Jason Brown and returnees Touché Allison, Brandon Thomas and Shannon Blackmon — could catch fire, which explains how the Wonders knocked off some quality teams, including defending state champ Central Cabarrus twice.

But the flip side of playing the game almost exclusively from behind the arc was that whenever those 3s went into the deep freeze, the Wonders weren’t any good at all. That explains why they got mashed at times in spite of their athleticism, why they finished only 12-13 and why they exited the playoffs in the first round again.

Head coach Shelwyn Klutz is confident his veteran squad — he may keep 10 seniors — can challenge for one of the North Piedmont Conference’s three state playoff berths. But he also emphasizes the Wonders must kick their annoying we-ain’t-going-near-the-paint habit if they’re going to contend.

“West (Rowan) has to be the team to beat. They’ve got size and tradition,” said Klutz. “But if we can get increased inside production, we can be a very good team.”

There’s every reason to believe Klutz will finally get big things from his big men. In fact, the Wonders will field their tallest team since their last conference championship in 1996. The Wonders may be as vertically imposing as anyone except towering West. But then, the Falcons will dwarf Division II college teams.

The biggest Wonder is Josh Barrier, who started at times last season.He’s grown to 6-foot-6, jumps well and likes to rebound.

Dustin Abercrombie, an O-line mate of Barrier in football, is a relentless bruiser who doesn’t mind mixing it up.

Then there are leapers Lucius Miller (6-5) and Justin Robinson (6-6), both of whom could be on the verge of breakout seasons. Miller’s best game came in last season’s finale, when he grabbed 10 rebounds in a heated playoff loss at East Rutherford. That tough effort could be a springboard.

As for the lean, long-armed Robinson, there must be 50 ways he can leave the floor and dunk. Robinson performs a Dr. J high-wire act in practice and may do it after the lights come on this time. He appears much more confident.

There are times when Klutz will play with three big guys and attack the boards, others when he’ll go small and create havoc defensively.

Any discussion of the Wonders’ “small” players has to start with Allison, the Shrine Bowl football phenom who made all-conference in hoops as a junior and should be one of the best in the west as a senior.

At 6-1, Allison is panther-quick, a sweet shooter (he had 23 against East Rutherford) and plays above the rim when he gets a notion to slash.

“Touché’s our leader, a fourth-year player,” said Klutz. “He can take games over.”

The streak-shooting Thomas has a smooth stroke and little conscience. When he’s hot, he’s as automatic as the transmission in Klutz’s car. He just needs a bit more patience and a bit better shot selection to be an asset every night.

Blackmon can also fill it up, especially from the corners, but Klutz says he’s underrated as a defender and rebounder. He hopes Blackmon can take on the defensive stopper role performed last season by graduated Michael Blakeney.

Also in the guard mix are tiny Timmy Allison, another shooter who filled in at both guard spots, and Terry Collins, a tough-minded little guy who will get in someone’s face defensively. Muscular linebacker Josh Reeves and swift Ricky Ardrey, jayvee standouts last year, add to an impressive array of athleticism

Also keep an eye on sophomore Avery Patterson and John Graham, a powerful, left-handed baseball standout who dunks easily. Graham’s out for hoops for the first time.

“It’s a good group of guys and they love playing the game,” said Klutz. “If we put it together and share the ball this could be the team that puts Kannapolis basketball back on the map.”

Could happen — if things turn around inside.

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NOTES:The Wonders’ annual football run won’t hurt hoops nearly as much as it usually does, even though most of Klutz’s players are gridiron guys. The reason: the Wonders won’t play a conference game until after Christmas and won’t be in their standard 0-3 hole before they’ve had a chance to practice as a unit. ... The Wonders will play in the inaugural Cabarrus County Christmas tourney, which will be more fun than their recent holiday trips to the Statesville Record and Landmark Tournament, where they were outsiders. ... The Wonders have made the playoffs three of the past four years, but Klutz admits his teams were helped by the old nine-team South Piedmont Conference, which usually got five or even six berths. “With five or six, you could afford a lapse,” said Klutz. “With three (in the new seven-team NPC), that’s not the case. We’ll have to bring it every night.”

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Contact Mike London at 704-797-4259 or mlondon@salisburypost.com .