How last year’s early exit fueled Spencer basketball ahead of state playoff tournament
The mood at Spencer’s boys basketball practice is eerily calm on Thursday, one day before the Greenwave’s biggest game of the season to date.
Players take part in shootaround, some attempting three-pointers from far-too-long range, while some practice their free throw technique. That’s mostly what the day’s practice session will consist of, according to head coach Marvin Broadwater: a shootaround, followed by walkthroughs to make sure each individual understands his role in Friday’s game.
Spencer has been in this position before.
The Greenwave ran rampant through their region a season ago, going undefeated and losing just four regular season games. They entered the 2019 GHSA class 2A state basketball tournament with just one loss in their previous 15 games.
Then came their second round game against South Atlanta.
The Greenwave lost, 81-71, closing the door on what was otherwise a solid season. But the loss left a bitter taste and a sense of “what if” in the minds of Spencer’s players. That loss ultimately fueled Spencer, which begins its state title trek Friday at 6 p.m. EST when it hosts Coosa, a team that finished fourth in region 7-2A.
“We’re trying to pick up from where we left off last year,” Broadwater said.
That was Spencer’s goal heading into 2019-20, Broadwater said. The Greenwave “felt like we should’ve made a bigger run than we ran last year,” according to their coach.
The Greenwave have not lost since mid-December, winning 13 consecutive games over that stretch, and did not lose a region game for the second consecutive season. They’re also unbeaten (9-0) at home which, if you believe in the significance of those types of statistics, bodes well for their chances Friday night.
To keep that trend rolling, the Greenwave will rely on the same two things it as all season long.
“High intensity on defense,” Spencer senior small forward Malachi Morris said. “And a fast paced offense.”
YOUNG, QUICK AND IN YOUR FACE
Spencer’s young roster features just two seniors: 6-foot-2 Morris, who signed Feb. 5 to play football as a safety at Troy, and 6-foot-5 point guard Xavier Kennedy.
Spencer doesn’t like to play zone defense. It doesn’t believe in it.
“Our full court man and our speed of play is something we take pride in,” Broadwater said.
Typical practices at Spencer last between one to two hours, and Broadwater likes to dial up the intensity.
It’s worked wonders, as the grueling practices ease the fatigue that hits during games.
“We practice so hard, when it’s time for us to play in our games, with it being eight minute quarters, it helps us out,” Broadwater said.
They take pride in their high scoring offense, too.
The Greenwave average just over 81 points per game, and broke the 100-point mark three times this season.
They beat second-place Callaway by at least 28 points each time they faced the Cavaliers, and beat crosstown rival Carver twice in the span of eight days in late November.
All signs point to a Greenwave win Friday. But they’ll need to keep the defensive pressure high, keep scoring in bunches and keep relying on their depth if they’re to make a serious run at a state championship.
Spencer will face the winner of Fitzgerald and Dublin, should it beat Coosa.
“I feel like one of our strengths is that, not only our starting five, but our bench, any one of the guys we have on the bench can be a starter in the other schools,” Broadwater said.
“Our main focus is going to be focusing and taking care of business.”
PREDICTION
- Spencer defeats Coosa 75-55.
