North boys hoops shows flashes of brilliance
Watching the North Fort Myers High boys’ basketball team, two things come to mind: They are very athletic, and they also are very, very green.
It’s the latter that has resulted in an overall 4-8 record and 2-5 mark in District 6A-10 play, but it’s the former that has allowed them to work wonders, when they’re able to put it all together.
For the most part, Mack Mitchell’s squad has looked like what it did in last week’s home game against Charlotte – unorganized, sloppy with the basketball, telegraphing passes and the kind of plays that result in a blowout loss like that game was.
Mitchell said, for the most part, the team has been competitive, but there are some things the team has to work on to get to the next level.
“We’ve beaten some good teams and we’ve lost close ones to teams we should have beaten. It’s been an up and down season this year,” Mitchell said.
Many of the players are inexperienced, including the seniors. Of the six, only one has any measurable experience. John Chessrown has played awhile and has proven to be a good leader, but what he lacks on the court he makes up for in effort, Mitchell said.
There is a lot of raw talent. Junior Jordan Thomas has averaged 15 points and eight rebounds a game, while Brandon King has averages about the same. Zaquandre White also joined the club and has proven to be a spark plug despite his inexperience.
“We have others who are very athletic, but I can’t say their basketball IQ is where it needs to be to be one of the better teams in the area,” Mitchell said. “I see growth and potential and I hope they can reach their mark when it really counts.”
Thomas said there were a lot of lessons learned from the Charlotte game that they hope can carry them the rest of the way.
“We have to grow as a team because we’re young. Once we gain chemistry, we can play with anyone,” Thomas said. “We need to work better as a team and come together. The team bond will make us go farther. We have a lot of work to do.”
The Red Knights showed that potential in a shocking 95-91 double-overtime win over Port Charlotte on Dec. 4. On that night, North executed better and perhaps caught the Pirates overlooking them.
“Our boys fought hard. I don’t think they gave it to us, I think the ball just rolled our way that night,” Mitchell said.
Looking forward, Mitchell said with North playing district foes for a second time, he hopes he can take those close losses from early in the season and turn them into wins.
Thomas said the team has to gain a mindset, both in practice and in games, so they can get down to business and focus. If they can do that and play smart basketball, the Red Knights will be a tough team come playoff time.
“I see us beating Charlotte and whoever is in our way,” Thomas said.