No. 4 Raiders hope talent, experience add up to an MPSA championship
By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
November 2, 2004
The Lamar Raiders lost just one senior off last year's team and is looking for a successful basketball season.
The Raiders begin the year ranked fourth in the MPSA poll after a strong offseason.
The team turned heads with its hard work this past summer. The Raiders competed in a camp in Florida and also participated in Madison Ridgeland Academy's camp.
Lamar will rely on experience and solid depth for success this year.
Austin Roebuck should provide Lamar with scoring on the inside. The senior is Lamar's leading scorer returning from last year's squad.
Brannon Harrison also provides the Raiders with size inside and senior Jason Strickland is also and inside scorer.
Leading the offense will be senior point guard Taylor Dean. He will also be one of the leading defensive players on the team.
Matthew Fort will provide Lamar with outside scoring. The senior was one of the team leaders at the start of last season before battling sickness for most of the year.
Nathan Harrison and Cody Fuller had valuable minutes last year and will be back as seniors this year.
Denver Harrison and Trey Hannah also have experience for Lamar. Sophomore Everette Hill had a good offseason and should be one of the team's best shooters this year.
2004-2005 SCHEDULE: Nov. 9, Wayne Academy; Nov. 11, East Rankin; Nov. 13, at Kemper Academy; Nov. 15, at Newton Academy; Nov. 18, at Starkville Academy; Nov. 20, South Choctaw Academy; Nov. 29, Newton Academy; Nov. 30, at Wayne Academy; Dec. 3, at East Rankin; Dec. 4, at Sylva Bay; Dec. 7, at Presbyterian Christian School; Dec. 9-11, Lamar-Rush Sports Pre-Holiday Classic; Dec. 17, Parklane Academy; Dec. 18, Central Private; Jan. 6, Jackson Prep; Jan. 7, Kemper Academy; Jan. 8, at Hillcrest; Jan. 10, Sylva Bay; Jan. 13, at Parklane; Jan. 15, at Jackson Prep; Jan. 18, Presbyterian Christian School; Jan. 21, at Madison Ridgeland Academy; Jan. 22, at South Choctaw; Jan. 25, Hillcrest; Jan. 29, Madison Ridgeland Academy Feb. 1, at Oak Hill; Feb. 4, Starkville Academy; Feb. 7-12, Division II State AAA Tournament.
Key Players: Austin Roebuck, Brannon Harrison, Nathan Harrison, Matthew Fort, Taylor Dean, Trey Hannah, Jason Strickland, Cody Fuller, Denver Harrison, Everette Hill.
