Scouting Larkin Royals

Larkin Royals

Coach Deryn Carter (1st year)

Conference Upstate Eight

Last year 8-20, 1-9 UEC

Top returners seniors Ramadan Adili (5-1, G), Jermaine Clements (6-0, G), Brian Cooks (5-11, G/F), David Korth (6-3, F), Leandre Lee (5-8, G), Garrett McDaniel (6-0, F), Drew Simonini (5-11, G), Ryan Smith (6-2, G), Alex Wahl (6-2, F)

Top newcomers juniors Martez Anderson (6-5, C), Brent Cooks (6-1, F), Matt Rice (5-10, G). Cameron Ross (5-9, G), Trevor Whitehead (5-11, G), freshman Carlito Singleton (6-2, F)

Outlook New coach Deryn Carter is holding an open competition for jobs regardless of previous playing experience. Those who emerge had better be ready to play defense. "Defense is a battle of will," Carter said. "We're trying to get our guys to understand that whoever we play, wherever we play, we're going to play the defense we want to play. That's going to be full-court, man-to-man pressure. We're going to play very little zone, if at all. Our philosophy starts on the defensive end and that starts on the baseline. So we'll play full court for sure." Offensively, the Royals have a pair of returning 3-point shooters in the fold. Smith is the team's leading returning scorer with 7.3 points per game (39 of 109 3-point attempts). Simonini was a 33-percent shooter from long range (25 of 75). Adili, Wahl, Clements, Korth and McDaniel gained experience last season. Anderson's 6-5 frame gives the Royals some much-needed height along with Korth (6-3). A player to watch is the freshman on the wing, Singleton. Carter said "he has a chance to be special."