Anclote Sharks: 5 Takeaways
Head Coach Michael Cooper has his Anclote Sharks on the rise behind a trio of sophomores. Jakob Hester, Jacobie Forrest, and have begun the season red hot. This team will be 1 to watch as they grow and mature together. Last year Anclote finished 16-11 overall, 11-5 in league play for 4th place out of 9 teams in 6A district 8.
5 Takeaways:
1. Jakob Hester is good and the key to it all. Hester didn’t pick up the basketball until he became a 7th grader due to his love for baseball. As he grew so did his love for basketball and in his 1rst season he made 1rst team all-district and county. Being a slim 6’6 freshman nobody knew what to expect but he averaged 14.4 pts and 11.8 rebs and 3.2 blocks a game.
2. Jacobie Forrest and Jalen Cooper can flat out shoot the rock. I’m compiling a under the radar top 10 shooters candidate list and these 2 could make the cut. Forrest in 3 games is at 60% from 2pt fg and 48% from 3. Cooper is shooting 56% from the field and 50% from 3.
3. Anclote wants to play up tempo so if Hester rebounds, he will push the rock. In doing so the floor is spreads and shooters can get up quick and uncontested shots. In a half court setting, they will play inside out. They feed off Hester drawing double teams.
4. Head Coach Michael Cooper is training these guys up to get the job done. After yesterdays contest, they sit at 3-1 overall. All games have been district games, and this puts them into 2nd place for now.
5. They all the tools to be a contender for years to come. Great big and good guard play will take this team wherever they want to go if they can keep it all together without injuries.
Good coach, solid players usually mean success but with it being younger group and somewhat inexperienced will that hinder the Sharks? Will Ridgewood be too must to overcome in the district race? I’ll keep an eye out to see what happens with Anclote but don’t be surprised if the become the team to beat.