Beginning the title defense

The road to the Class 5A boys basketball regional title runs through Minden this season.

A couple of crucial pieces from that regional championship squad are gone after graduation, but the Tigers certainly like their chances to go back-to-back this winter.

“Every night, they’re going ‘hey when do we play Douglas?’” said Douglas head coach Corey Thacker. “Our kids are going to get the best games from every team. I think there are two, three, four teams that could be at the top.”

Stylistically, the 15^th year head coach fully expects Douglas to continue its ways of trying to force turnovers on defense and get the ball moving in transition.

“We have to be a team that’s going to get full court,” said Thacker. “We want to be a team that runs all the time.”

Working inside out

Jack Tolbert and Theo Reid are expected to cause all sorts of problems in the post for Douglas as the two check-in at 6-foot-9 and 6-foot-8, respectively.

The two interior bigs have already shown what kind of chaos they can create, starting Tuesday against Reno and combining for 27 points.

Tolbert was 8-of-12 from the floor and added seven rebounds to his 16-point total.

Reid had 11 points along with eight rebounds, two assists and a block in the team’s 54-52 win over Reno in the home and league opener.

“We have to get better movement to get them the ball,” said Thacker after the win.

Feeding the two on the block will be JC Reid and Caden Thacker.

JC Reid, who is a senior this season, was a second team all-region selection last winter after putting together an average of 8.3 points per contest to go along with 2.5 rebounds, an assist and a steal.

The 6-foot guard showed his ability to play lockdown defense when called upon last season and handed out six assists in the season opener.

Coming into his sophomore campaign, Thacker has picked up right where he left off.

The point guard put together 11 points in the win over Reno and will be asked to be a much larger part of the offensive success with the departure of last year’s all-region player of the year, Kasen Boggs.

“We have some shooters. They just have to have their hands and feet ready to shoot,” said Corey Thacker. “We have dudes that can put it up and shoot it as well as guys who can attack.”

Another shooter back on the floor for the Tigers will be Thomas McDowell, who returns for his senior after averaging nearly five points per game in 18 games played last winter.

Fellow senior guards Jeremiah Pitts and Aden Flory will be mixed and matched throughout the season.

Trace Estes, Kyle Koontz and Cole Smalley are all other bigger players that the Tigers can rely on in rotations as well.

Expectations 

“I think we’re probably a five out of 10 or a six, right now,” said Thacker. “If we get to a 10 by the end of January, I’ll be happy,” Thacker said.

Bishop Manogue, Damonte Ranch and Spanish Springs will all be challenging the Tigers for their regional crown.

One or two other teams could make a run at the top of the standings by the time the league slate shakes out.

(Theo Reid bodies his way inside for two points, during the season opener against Reno on Tuesday. Reid, who had 11 points to open his senior season, will play a big part in the Tigers’ success this season. / Ron Harpin)

Schedule

Dec. 6 – vs. Damonte Ranch, 7 p.m.

Dec. 8 – vs. Ashland, 5:15 p.m.

Dec. 9 – vs. Grants Pass, 5:15 p.m.

Dec. 10 – vs. Woodland Christian, 1:30 p.m.

Dec. 15 – at Reed, 7 p.m.

Dec. 22 – vs. McQueen, 7 p.m.

Dec. 27-30 – Tournament

Jan. 3 – vs. McQueen, 7 p.m.

Jan. 5 – vs. Bishop Manogue, 7 p.m.

Jan. 7 – at Spanish Springs, 2 p.m.

Jan. 10 – vs. Galena, 7 p.m.

Jan. 13 – vs. Carson, 7 p.m.

Jan. 17 – at Reno, 7 p.m.

Jan. 20 – at Damonte Ranch, 7 p.m.

Jan. 24 – vs. Reed, 7 p.m.

Jan. 28 – at McQueen, 2 p.m.

Jan. 31 – at Bishop Manogue, 7 p.m.

Feb. 3 – vs. Spanish Springs, 7 p.m.

Feb. 7 – at Galena, 7 p.m.

Feb. 10 – vs. Carson, 7 p.m.

Varsity roster

Jac Reid, Sr.; Aden Flory, Sr.; Caden Thacker, So.; Reed Ward, Jr.; Theo Reid, Sr.; Jeremiah Pitts, Sr.; Trace Estes, Jr.; Ishmi Enos, Jr.; Jett Lehmann, Jr.; Thomas McDowell, Sr.; Cole Smalley, Jr.; Kyle Koontz, Jr.; Reese Torres, Jr.; Vincent Dame, Jr.; Jack Tolbert, Sr.