Drew Mathews can go ahead and slip a small thank-you note into Mike Peavey’s mailbox at Salisbury High.
Eight players have made the quick transition from the gridiron to the hardwood, and Mathews has already seen an improved attitude from last season.
“Right now, my success depends on the football players because Coach Peavey did a good job of giving them a work ethic,”Mathews said. “They have come in after football season and been the hardest working group of kids I have.”
Four of Mathews’ five projected starters come from Peavey’s football team. Chris
Geter, Andre Bruce and Brian Roten are slated to start at the guard positions for the Hornets.
Geter averaged 4.1 points in 22 games last season, while Roten added 3.1 in 15 games. Bruce saw action in five games a year ago.
All three come into this season determined to work hard and improve.
“The three guards, they want to win every running drill, they want to lead every running drill,”Mathews said. “They don’t complain, they just work and get the job done. For us to be successful, I have to have 14 guys doing the same things that those football players have walked in and started doing.”
Mathews’ three guards will be joined in the starting lineup by sophomore power forward Sharmari Spears and center Matt Butler.
Spears, the lone starter who didn’t play football, still likes to get physical in the post. He had an impressive showing against South Rowan in Salisbury’s opener, putting up 21 points and seven rebounds.
“He has a lot of growing up to do, a lot of learning to do, but he’s a very talented young man,”Mathews said. “As he gets older and wiser, he’s going to be a good basketball player.”
Mathews said Butler has been a pleasant surprise. Butler averaged 3.5 points a game for EastRowan last season but hit 6 of 8 shots and scored 14 points against the Raiders.
“He can catch the ball, and he’ll surprise you with his scoring ability,”Mathews said. “When I scouted him at East Rowan, he didn’t shoot the ball much.”
Mathews will run a lot of people in and out of the lineup. Shawn Boyd, Jack Campbell, Greg Edward, Yancy Field, Greg Hill and Freddie Cuthbertson all played in the opener.
The Hornets play aggressively on defense, but they slow the pace down on offense.
After allowing 80.3 and 70.6 points a game the last two seasons, Mathews wants the score down in the 50s this year.
“We’re going to play a control type basketball game,”Mathews said. “I think of the way Princeton has played in the past. You pass, cut and set picks and be real patient. We want to make the defensive team work.”
The Hornets went 4-18 last season, but Mathews said his fourth Salisbury squad should benefit from having a more stable lineup.
Twenty-four different players suited up for the Hornets last season.
“Last year, we had 22 different starting lineups because we were so young and so inexperienced,” Mathews said. “Now, with the group we’ve got coming back, we have a set lineup and a set rotation, and we’re going to play.”
n
Contact Bret Strelow at 704-797-4258 or bstrelow@salisburypost.com
.
Today's News
