After making a surprisingly early exit from the playoffs last season, the Marshall County Tigers are out to prove that postseason disappointment was an aberration.

Marshall County finished third in the District 12-AA standings during the regular season, but were knocked out of the District tournament in the first round when they dropped a 57-47 decision to sixth seeded Summit. It marked the first time in seven years that the Tigers had failed to advance to the Region tournament despite posting a respectable 15-12 record.

New talent

Although MCHS has just two starters returning from last year's team and have only three upperclassmen on their roster, the Tigers have a large influx of talented youngsters that are ready to contribute.

Senior shooting guard Aaron Hobbs and junior point guard Chris Walker both started for Marshall County last season and provide coach Adrian Wilson with a talented backcourt duo from which he can build around.

Hobbs is very quick and has a knack for scoring in transition, but is also a streaky outside shooter that can fill it up from three-point range when he gets hot. He has improved his strength as well and become a better on-the-ball defender.

"Aaron can give us instant offense and finds ways to score. He'll get a layup here and hit a three-pointer there and by the end of the game he'll have 15 or 16 points because it adds up over four quarters," said Wilson.

Experienced starter

Having started each of the last two years, Walker has the ability to break down defenders off the dribble and finish at the rim. He is an accurate outside shooter as well and has the potential to be a lockdown one-on-one defender.

"Chris usually can do whatever he wants when he puts his mind to it. The sky's the limit for him. He's matured some and understands the game better. He's going to be the quarterback of our offense," said Wilson.

Joining Hobbs and Walker in the backcourt will be sophomore guard Malek Sain, who saw significant playing time last year as a reserve. Along with being a good outside shooter, Sain is a smooth ball handler that can drive to the basket and finish at the rim. He has also worked hard on improving his strength and has become a better defensive player.

"Malek has had tremendous growth from his freshman year and could have a breakout year. He's got good instincts and a great feel for the game," said Wilson.

Frontcourt

Junior forward Casey Pleas and sophomore center Darius McKenzie will comprise Marshall County's frontcourt. Pleas is a versatile player that can bang around in the paint and handle the ball on the perimeter. He is a solid outside shooter as well and runs the floor well in transition.

McKenzie provides the Tigers with a low post presence that they have lacked each of the last two seasons. He has a chance to develop into a viable scoring threat in the paint along with being a solid rebounder and defender.

After being forced to play only six or seven players at times last year due to injuries and youth, Wilson has a much deeper bench at his disposal this season and expects to have at least a 10-man rotation.

Guards Curtis Keiler (Soph.), Steven Dangerfield (Soph.), and D'Andre Brown (Fr.) will give the Tigers quality depth in the backcourt, while freshman forward Jay Howard and freshman center Quavion Harris will help fortify the frontcourt.

Keiler is a solid ball handler and a good spot up shooter, while Dangerfield is a tenacious defensive player. Brown is an excellent ball handler and passer and will likely be Marshall County's backup point guard. He also has the ability to finish around the rim as well and has adapted quickly to the high school game.

Howard possesses tremendous athleticism and is a great rebounder for his size. He can also knock down midrange jumpers and runs the court well in transition. Harris gives the Tigers some more bulk in the paint, and has the chance to develop into a good low post scorer.

Hard workers

Marshall County also has several other talented young players in Montrell Harris (Soph.), Zach Johnson (Soph.), Dayveontae Brown (Fr.), Trey Crutcher (Fr.), Keevon Maxwell (Fr.), J.Q. Haislip (Fr.) Trey Fields (Fr.), Donathan Tears (Fr.) that are working hard and have the potential to contribute down the road.

Aided by the improved depth and athleticism on his roster, Wilson plans on waging a war of attrition against his opponents this season by using more full court pressure and pushing the tempo on offense.

"We have more depth this year. Last year we had some injuries and were playing only six or seven players. I think we can play at least 10 kids and maybe more. Athletically we should be as good as anyone we play, but we're going to be young," said Wilson. "We're going to be an up tempo team. We're going to extend our defense and make it a full court game. We have a lot of players and want to use our athleticism to make the game as fast as possible."

Although Marshall County's District has been reduced from nine to six teams, the TSSAA formed perhaps the best boys basketball conference in Class AA by adding two-time defending state champ Christ Presbyterian Academy and Cascade to the Tigers' league.

Strong district

Thanks to CPA's arrival, District 12-AA now has four teams that have advanced to the Class AA State tournament over the last four years. The Lions are expected to be the frontrunners to claim the District crown, but Marshall County, Spring Hill, and Giles County have all reached the State tournament recently and could pose a threat to the private school powerhouse, while Page and Cascade have also fielded solid teams over the years.

"We're aiming to win the District title," said Wilson. "We thrive on having good teams in our District. We're going to respect everyone we play, but we're going to make them respect us too."

With District play expected to be the survival of the fittest, the Tigers are hoping to emerge as the king of the jungle this season.

Marshall County Tigers 2013-14 basketball roster

Number Name Class

2 Malek Sain Soph.

3 Kasey Pleas Jr.

4 Aaron Hobbs Sr.

5 Jay Howard Fr.

10 Steven Dangerfield Soph.

11 Montrell Harris Soph.

12 Keevon Maxwell Fr.

14 Zach Johnson Soph.

15 Chris Walker Jr.

20 Curtis Keiler Soph.

21 Trey Crutcher Fr.

22 D'Andre Brown Fr.

23 Trey Fields Fr.

24 Darius McKenzie Soph.

25 Donathon Tears Fr.

32 Dayveontae Brown Fr.

34 Quavion Harris Fr.

35 J.Q. Haislip Fr.

2013-14 Marshall County Basketball Schedule

Date Opponent Venue Time

Nov. 18 Lincoln County Home 6:00

Nov. 19 Columbia Central Home 6:00

Nov. 22 Culleoka Away 6:00

Nov. 26 Murfreesboro Central Magnet Away 6:00

Nov. 27, 29, &30 Forrest Thanksgiving Tournament (girls only) Away TBA

Dec. 5 Huntland Away 6:00

Dec. 7 Culleoka Home 6:00

Dec. 13 Shelbyville Home 6:00

Dec. 17 Columbia Central Away 6:00

Dec. 20 & 21 Lawrence County Classic (boys only) Away TBA

Dec. 27-29 Overton Christmas Tournament (girls only) Away TBA

Jan. 3 Lincoln County Away 6:00

Jan. 7 Giles County Away 6:00

Jan. 10 Page Away 6:00

Jan. 14 Spring Hill Away 6:00

Jan. 17 Cascade Home 6:00

Jan. 21 CPA Home 6:00

Jan. 24 Giles County Home 6:00

Jan. 27 Murfreesboro Central Magnet Home 6:00

Jan. 28 Page Home 6:00

Jan. 31 Spring Hill Home 6:00

Feb. 4 Cascade Away 6:00

Feb. 7 CPA Away 6:00

Feb. 10-18 District Tournament (Semifinals and Finals at Giles County) TBA