Sunday’s notebook: FACS looks to get over the hump

<p>When First Assembly Christian School takes the floor at the beginning of the 2021 season, it will have one of the best senior classes the state of Tennessee has to offer.</p> <p>The Crusaders will have a senior group that’s been battle tested from every realm of the hardwood floor. The 2022 class has heart, toughness and a willingness to win. None of the seniors’ character has ever been questioned. It’s just a matter of if FACS will be able to finish the season as the TSSAA Division 1 Boys’ state champions.</p> <p>As sophomores, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1019407" first="Daniel" last="Egbuniwe"]</strong>, <strong>Corey</strong> <strong>Savage</strong>, <strong>T</strong>.<strong>J</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> and <strong>Kobe</strong> <strong>Wilkes</strong> played in the state title game against Lausanne. As juniors, they fell short of the final four, losing to eventual champion Goodpasture in the elite eight round.</p> <p>These four players have suffered two-consecutive heartbreaks. Last season could’ve been more painful since the Crusaders were expected by many to finish the season as state champs. On paper, FACS had all of the tools to be a state champion. Having point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1119934" first="Joshua" last="Ward"]</strong> take the next step bolted the Crusaders into legitimate title contenders.</p> <p>But, when it seemed as if FACS was in the catbird’s seat, the Cougars stopped its title quest. Now, the only way for the Crusaders’ senior group to vanquish the daunting ending to the 2020 season is to get back to the same position the program was in 2019, and this time, finish the job.</p> <p>"That’s our goal this year," FACS head coach Dee Wilkes said after his team defeated Middleton, 82-77, in the Jerry Peters Memphis Summer Classic Saturday evening. "When we started practice this summer, that’s the one thing we talked about. We have to take it one game at a time.</p> <p>"This group was sophomores playing in the state championship game, so it will be a letdown for us if we don’t get it."</p> <p>Replacing Ward is impossible, but the  Crusaders will be led by Egbuniwe, who’s coming off a junior season averaging 17.8 points, 11.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.1 blocks per game. FACS has flexibility in the backcourt with Thomas, Savage and Wilkes. Savage (10.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists) is a great spot-up 3-point specialist. Wilkes (10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists) can make shots from the perimeter, but his strength is running the offense and breaking presses. Thomas (12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists) is another gifted ball handler that has the ability to make plays when his number is called.</p> <p>FACS has added shooting to its roster with the addition of Collierville transfer <strong>Alex</strong> <strong>Harris</strong>, who’s expected to be in the starting lineup. Junior shooting guard <strong>Grant</strong> <strong>Spain</strong> is a knockdown shooter. He can’t be left open. Freshman point guard <strong>Julius</strong> <strong>Goodwin</strong> and sophomore point guard <strong>Brian</strong> <strong>Shield</strong> will provide solid depth off the bench at the point guard spot.</p> <p>Unlike last season, the Crusaders will have quality depth to lean on if any of the starters get in foul trouble. At any point of a season, depth is beneficial.</p> <p>Coach Wilkes calls the 2021 season "the last hurrah" for his senior class. That’s very clear. What is also clear is the team’s ultimate goal. But, can FACS get over the hump and be the last team standing?</p>