C-N Game Notes
Last year, the Golden Bulls thumped C-N 79-51 in Charlotte at Brayboy Gym. Carson-Newman shot 28 percent for the game, including 7-for-27 in the second half.
"We're not going to overreact about our poor shooting performance from the last game," head coach Chuck Benson said. "There's also no question that where we were at as a team when we played Smith in Charlotte last year, is nowhere near where we are as a team right now. We've made great strides from that point to this point. Our focus is on our learning processes and the things we can control. We're in a place now where we can go compete against a very good Johnson C. Smith team."
The Golden Bulls are largely the same ball club as a year ago.
Josh Linson, Robert Davis, Diondre Pratt, Steadmon Lemon and Alandre Davis all starred and started last season for JCSU. All of those players are averaging double digits this year, with the exception of Linson.
Pratt leads the Golden Bulls with 18 points per game. He had 25 points in the Bulls season-opening loss to Morehouse. Lemon follows suit with 15.5 points per game. He also leads the Bulls with 9.5 boards per game.
"There all sort of the same guy," Benson said. "They all are athletic and have the potential to shoot it or drive it. They have several individual players who can go out and cause you problems. We just have to go in and control what we can control against a very solid zone defensive team."
Pratt was the leading scorer a year ago with 15 points for JCSU, Linson and Lemon each added 11 apiece a year ago.
Carson Brooks (Knoxville, Tenn.) was the Eagles leading scorer a year ago, with 17 points. He was the only Eagle in double figures.
Charles Clark (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) leads C-N this season with 23 points per game. He scored 20 in both the Eagles' opening contests of the year. The sophomore has 10 career 20-point efforts. Clark is the reigning TSWA state player of the week.
"Charles is competing at a high level in terms of confidence," Benson said. "But now he has to focus on protecting himself from fouls because he's such an aggressive defender. He's at a great place and has a perfect stage for him to perform."
Tipoff between the Eagles and Bulls is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday. Coverage will be available on the Eagle Sports Network with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mountain Country 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
