Petty returns size and experience at James Clemens

Danny Petty with the James Clemens basketball team (Record Photo/ Lindsay Vaught)

MADISON- Danny Petty has four state championship trophy’s in his office. Could this year’s James Clemens basketball team make it number five?

The veteran coach won’t go that far but his team is loaded with players capable of repeating as area champions like last year.

Gone are point guard Trai James, forward Zach Hancock, and high scoring Marquis Mitchell.

Petty has two candidates to replace James at point guard: Chris Jones (Jr. 5-foot-8) and Garrett Hicks (Soph. 5-foot-10).

“Trai handled the ball and he could score,” Petty said. “Chris is a true point guard he will pass it first. Hicks is really good. They’re both hard nosed players. Garrett is a shooter. We jumped him from freshman to varsity. Chris is a passer and he can penetrate and a great defender.”

Petty has seniors Jarques Lawson (6-foot-3) and Marcus Lacey (6-foot-4) to provide leadership on and off the court. Both played varsity last year, Lacey made the All-Area team.

“They are key players for us. Marcus has to score and rebound. He had a good year but he didn’t reach his potential. I’m looking for him to have a lot better year scoring, rebounding, and staying aggressive. He’s so strong.”

Assistant coach Howard Pride is in charge of the weight training.

The Jets have practiced for two weeks minus two football players who are expected to play big roles, Bradley Belt and Joseph Logan. Jamil Muhammed is also on the roster.

Freshman Tyler Jagielski (6-foot-3) has impressed Petty.

“He’s tall, strong, rugged, he don’t back down and he can shoot the three and handle the ball. He’s going to be a great player,” Petty said. For now Jagielski is on varsity but he could go down to JV to get more playing time.

Petty said season preparation has gone well.

“We’re ahead of where we were last year. We can shoot it better and we have good quickness. We don’t have that 6-foot-7 guy but our bigs like Marcus are quick.”

James Clemens has a home and home with Mae Jemison this year which will feature John Petty being recruited by Kentucky and Alabama. Their first home game is Nov. 18 against Austin, first area game is Dec. 2 home against Sparkman.

James Clemens will host the Madison City Thanksgiving Classic Nov 21-23.