Entire Squad Contributes
To AHS Tigers’ Success
by Dwight Turner
Knowledgeable basketball fans are aware of the fact that success on the hardwood is a team effort. This has been especially true of the Ardmore Tigers this season. A solid starting five and a bench that contributes game after game has given Ardmore a reputation as a balanced team that cannot be taken lightly.
Team stats for the first 21 games of the season point to the fact that the Tigers’ success has been a result of great coaching and solid teamwork on the part of the players.
Fans of AHS sports are well aware of the name Will Lewis. In addition to his contributions to the football and baseball teams, Lewis is the spark plug and traffic cop for the Tiger basketball team. Lewis has averaged 7.8 points per game and leads the team with 76 assists. The senior point guard also leads the squad with an incredible 51 steals and 65 deflections.
“Will is relentless on defense,” remarked Tiger Head Coach Mike Sanderson. “I don’t think I have ever had a player play as hard as Will does. He is our spark plug.”
Shooting guard Matthew Clem is another familiar player on the Ardmore hardwood. Clem leads the team with a scoring average of 18.1 points per game and is 74 of 102 (73 %) from the charity stripe. Clem’s efforts under the boards are also impressive. The senior has averaged 3.9 rebounds per game.
“Matthew is our best scorer, but has also improved in all areas of his game,” said Sanderson. “Teams focus their defense on stopping his three-pointers and that has made him even better off the dribble and his defense and rebounding have also improved.”
Small forward Duron Robinson has been another important cog in the Tiger machine. Robinson has scored a total of 162 points for a 7.7 point per game average. The lanky senior leads the Tigers with 5.9 rebounds per game and is second on the team with 61 total assists. Robinson is also a defensive force to be reckoned with, leading the team with 18 blocked shots.
“Duron has really improved in all areas,” remarked Sanderson. “He does a lot more than the stats indicate. He has made some big shots for us and pulled down clutch rebounds in big game situations.”
Junior Landon Curtis plays power forward for the Tigers and has quickly developed a reputation as a hustling player and threat on both sides of the ball. Curtis has averaged 7.0 points per game and hauled down an average of 4.5 rebounds. A threat from the free throw line, Curtis has drained 31-42 from the charity stripe and is tied for the team lead with Clem at seventy three percent.
“Landon is becoming a complete player,” said Sanderson. “He has become a threat to score and always looks for the open man.”
Senior Jake Stagner has become a solid fixture at center. Averaging 7.3 points per game, Stagner has taken down a total of 71 rebounds and is also a threat from the charity stripe. Stagner has hit on 27-38 shots from the free throw line for seventy-one percent. Stagner’s continued success will be critical for the Tigers down the stretch.
“Jake has had some good games in the past,” remarked Sanderson. “He has come on now and is really playing better. Jake must be a threat for us down the stretch if we are going to have success. Jake has really played well of late.”
Ardmore’s bench has also been impressive, making consistent contributions in high-pressure situation.
James Vann Teeples plays the post and has averaged 3.8 points per game, with 2.9 rebounds. Feraas Al-Saba, playing guard, has chipped in an impressive 4.9 points per game. Ryan McMunn, TJ Duncan, JJ Jones, and Jarrod Mullins have also made solid contributions to Ardmore’s success.
“The bench has contributed so much to this team,” said Sanderson. “James Vann Teeples has played really well and Feraas and Ryan have given us quality minutes. TJ, Jarrod, and JJ have given good help in several games as well. I feel the bench will be a key for our success the rest of the season.”