Long’s Time Coming
Only a sophomore, Bryce Long is a starter for the Scott County Cardinals. He is not the only impact sophomore. “Three of us that have been playing together since the beginning of middle school,” said Bryce Long. “And then two…
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Continue ReadingOnly a sophomore, Bryce Long is a starter for the Scott County Cardinals.
He is not the only impact sophomore.
“Three of us that have been playing together since the beginning of middle school,” said Bryce Long. “And then two of them we knew from playing together around town. But, we have good chemistry. We have been playing awhile.”
The roster is cluttered with sophomores. Cam Fluker, Peyton Shotwell, Glenn Covington, Michael Moreno, and Lorenzo Williams all join Long representing the sophomore class.
Head Coach Billy Hicks and his Cardinals have underachieved by their own estimation.
“We have had some good wins and we have had some bad losses,” said Michael Moreno. “I guess the season is just lopsided. We came out with high expectations and we are just not up to those right now.”
Asked about his basketball aspirations Long prefers to focus on the here and now.
“This year, I am trying to live in the present,” said Long. “We want to win regional and then go to State, and then hopefully make a run in state. But we have to get through regional first. We have a tough region.”
Long can knock down the jumper. He gets up the floor in a hurry after defensive rebounds, providing an outlet for Moreno.
“He is starting to drive the ball a lot more,” said Moreno. “He wants to handle the ball instead of being a spot-shooter. He is not limiting himself anymore.”
Young players usually find their strength and the less ambitious strain to improve that strength. Long is working on his weaknesses.
“Everybody used to say, ‘He is a shooter, he is a shooter,'” said Moreno. “Now he is starting to expand his game and starting to show signs of having a nice pull-up, a nice mid-range. He is starting to drive the bucket more.”
Head Coach Hicks has also noticed Long’s development.
“Everybody thinks he is just a shooter,” said Coach Hicks. “But really he is a good defensive player. He scraps. Good rebounder. A tough kid.”
Scott County can find the scoring. They need perimeter defense to keep Moreno out of foul trouble underneath. Many of their opponents feature at least one adept scoring guard. Long is able to contribute on this end now.
“And he has really started to crack down on defense,” said Moreno of Long. “Growing up, we grew up together, he really didn’t have the defensive skills he has now. He is probably the best wing player we have now.”
During the Music City MLK Classic, Long and his teammates played in front of coaches from Austin Peay, Tennessee State, Florida Gulf-Coast, and others.
Impatient, the formidable sophomore class wants team success now.
Long’s time is coming.