MOORE — Russell and Cousy, Kareem and Magic, Shaq and Kobe. Those three duos were some of the most lethal combinations in NBA history. The inside/out combinations led to multiple world championship and basketball lore.
They also proved that the best way to have a successful basketball team is to have a dominant post player and a versatile guard. Westmoore hopes they have the makings of such a duo that can lead them to the state tournament.
“The two individuals that must have great seasons for us are Matthew Mobley (6-foot-3) and Louis Marshall (6-9),” Westmoore coach Robert Foreman said. “These two players could combine to give us an outstanding inside/outside combination. Mobley is a 3 year starter who will have the opportunity to become the all-time leading scorer in the history of the school. Marshall is a 6-foot-9 post man who has garnered attention from several mid-low major Division I schools.”
Foreman said Marshall has a chance to be one of the most dominant big men in Class 6A. And Mobley has shown he can score, play defense and hit the boards.
Despite both Mobley and Marshall coming into their own last season, Westmoore ended the year with a 9-16 record. Their final two losses were to Lawton and Mustang in the playoffs.
“Last season was a disappointment,” Foreman said. “We did not achieve the goals that we had set for ourselves at the beginning of the season. The biggest problem we faced last year was our lack of chemistry. We never came together as a team for whatever reason.”
The Jaguar coaching staff believes much of those issues can be eliminated.
“We must develop a leader that can run the show for us on the floor,” Foreman said. “We must also find an identity defensively. If this team learns to play with a sense of urgency and develops the chemistry that we lacked last season we could be a state tournament team.”
Building chemistry shouldn’t be hard for Westmoore. They, along with Marshall and Mobley, they return four starters. Tony Carter and Dejuan Smith are the other two returnees.
The fifth starter is Tony Criswell. He and Devonta Smith are two newcomers the Westmoore coaches are very high on.
“We have added 6-foot-7 move in Tony Criswell along with 6-foot freshman Devonta Smith,” Foreman said. “These two players have the potential to develop into big time contributors this season. Criswell is a slasher who can score inside or out and Smith may be the best 3 point shooter in our entire program. He will be the first freshman that has ever played for me at Westmoore.”
Kyle Earhart and Dylon Sharpton are also expected to see substantial time on the floor. Earhart is a 6-foot-5 senior and Sharpton is 6-3.
With experience and depth on their side, the Jags have set some high goals for themselves. They include regional and area championships and a trip to the state tourney.
The Jaguars face off with Norman High Friday at NHS. It will be the Jags second game of the seasonafter starting the year out Tuesday at Mustang
“Fans can expect to see the most athletic team that Westmoore has put on the floor in the last 8 years,” Foreman said. “We have the potential to develop into one of the top teams in class 6A.”
High School Sports
November 28, 2007
Jaguars looking to rebound from subpar 2006-07 campaign
Marshall, Mobley lead charge
- High School Sports
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- Emotional leader Whether it’s the exuberance he shows after converting a steal into a monster dunk or the anguish from missing a game-tying shot, the Westmoore senior wears his emotions on his sleeve when he is on the hardwood.
- Getting his call More than a decade before anyone had even had serious talks about the creation of the school district’s third high school, Jensen knew would be running its football program.
- Westmoore unable to stop No. 10 Jenks at Jaguar Classic Westmoore didn’t do itself any favors when it set up the bracket for the 20th Annual Jaguar Classic.
- Bombers ravage Westmoore, 76-63 Consecutive lossess send Westmoore into tournament on a downturn
- Jags rally to beat Moore As the temperatures inside made the packed house feel like a steambath, the two teams matched the rising heat for three quarters.
- Back to work After almost two weeks off for most of the athletes in the moor School District, it’s now time to get back to work.
- Mercy rule need not apply in football When Barta told his team not to score, it went from being a football game to a pity party.
- Jaguars looking to rebound from subpar 2006-07 campaign Despite both Mobley and Marshall coming into their own last season, Westmoore ended the year with a 9-16 record.
- Call to duty Carl Franks was part of the deployment, which was the largest of an Oklahoma National Guard since the Korean War.
- Westmoore faces powerhouse Jenks in second round Westmoore and Jenks square off at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Jenks’ Hunter-Dwelly Stadium.
- More High School Sports Headlines
