Southmont Boys Basketball Preview

SOUTHMONT BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW: He’s the center of attention

By John Groth
Sports Editor
12/11/2008 2:30:00 AM

NEW MARKET - After facing one Sagamore Athletic Conference big man, Southmont High School’s boys basketball team has an even taller test Friday night.

They take on the unenviable task of slowing down Danville’s standout 6-8 junior center Travis Carroll.

Before Wednesday’s practice, Mounties’ senior center Scott Paris didn’t know what to say about trying to contain the verbally-committed Purdue recruit. He gives up four inches to Carroll.

But Paris’ teammates have all the confidence in his ability. What he lacks in size, they say he’ll make up with quickness and agility.

“[Scott's] going to use his speed and outwork him,” senior forward Cody VanScoyoc said. “Scott works hard all the time and he’ll handle him.”

Southmont (1-1, 0-1 SAC) travels to conference rival Danville (3-0, 1-0 SAC) for a 7:30 p.m. game Friday. Southmont hopes to even up its conference record, while Danville will try to stay in first-place in the standings.

The Mounties have lost 13-consecutive games to the Warriors and haven’t defeated them in 12 years. Southmont’s last win against Danville came in a 60-51 victory on Dec. 14, 1996.

If they plan to end that skid, second-year Southmont coach Dan Chadd acknowledged the Mounties will have to slow down Carroll and stop the Warriors’ guards’ ability to drive.

Through three games, Carroll is averaging 26.3 points per game. He’s dominated opponents inside the post and led the Warriors in scoring in every game.

Last year, Chadd found a way to slow Carroll down - getting him into first-half foul trouble, which put him on the bench. Southmont held Carroll to 17 points but couldn’t find a way to shut down his other counterparts in a 55-53 loss.

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Who: Southmont at Danville
What: Southmont boys basketball
When: Approx. 7:30 p.m. Friday
Place: Danville HS