By Raymond Linex II
Here’s all you need to know about the Corsicana boys basketball program — 12 of the 15 players on last season’s varsity roster have graduated.
Yes, this is a whole new season for Tigers basketball coach Andy Dotson.
Gone are the main players in the rotation that helped the Tigers storm into the playoffs in the second half of the district season and finish 8-6 in district (Corsicana was 13-17 overall). Replacing them are mostly young players — Dotson will have five sophomores and a freshman in the scorebook for Tuesday night’s opener against Lorena at 6:30 p.m. at Tiger Gym.
“We’re going to have grow up in a hurry,” Dotson said.
Dotson does have his point guard back and that’s a good starting place. Senior Antonie Chaney, a first-team all-district selection, averaged 13 points and five assists last season. He’ll likely have to improve on that if the Tigers are going to return to the playoffs.
“I would think so,” Chaney said when asked if he’ll have to score more. “It’s going to be a hard job but I can get it done.”
Corey Wilson, a 6-0 junior, also returns after starting several games last year. Wilson only scored five points a game, but he did have seven rebounds per game. Chaney said that Wilson has improved his overall game.
“He’s improved three or four times over last year,” Chaney said. “He’ll pick up a lot of the slack.”
Dotson said the Tigers will be a different team this season. They relied mainly on quickness at the guard position last year, the scoring of LaQuintis Holbert, who averaged 18 points per game, and the savvy of Matt Ward and Taylor Jacobson.
This year’s Tigers have more size, but they are inexperienced. Sophomore Gabe Biltz (6-3) is a good post player who knows what he’s doing at a young age, Dotson said. Biltz will be in the post along with 6-4 junior Devin Zalace, who is only 15 years old.
Wilson will move from the post to small forward, and 5-10 senior Devin White will play shooting guard. The Tigers will be a more traditional team on the offensive end.
“It’s a different look,” Dotson said. “We’re not big, but we’re bigger.”
Dotson will rely heavily on other young players, including 5-10 freshman Hunter Denbow, 5-6 senior J.T. Alexander, 6-3 junior Ian Caldwell and 5-10 junior Derek Corsey. Sophomore Jack Saipongi should also get playing time.
Dotson said 16-4A will be a “water moccasin” with most of the top teams returning most of their starters. Making the playoffs will be a challenge, though Chaney is confident.
“We’ve got a real good chance to make the playoffs,” Chaney said. “We just have to get down and play defense and play defense. And play as a team.”
