Expectations remain the same for FACS

After losing six key seniors from a TSSAA Division II Class A state championship team, most would think that First Assembly Christian School would be heading into a rebuilding season.

Think again.

Instead of a rebuild, the Crusaders have retooled, with young, talented pieces that could be possibly win multiple state championships before their high school basketball careers are over.

FACS will depend heavily on sophomores Jacob Walker and Kris Carroll and true freshmen MJ Haynes and Marcellous Jackson. Senior guard Grant Spain is also expected to contribute and is considered one of the best knockdown shooters on the roster.

“Expectations don’t change. We are trying to win every game,” Crusaders head coach Dee Wilkes said. “We are going to be prepared. We are going to come out and play hard. We want to win every game. If we make it to the district championship, regional championship, state championship, we are looking to win.”

FACS will have a lineup that features, at least, four solid ball handlers on the floor at the same time. Walker is a crafty, small point guard that’s very good at getting downhill. He’s capable of making shots from the perimeter. Carroll, at 6-foot-5, is a sniper from 3-point range and has been given the green light from Wilkes to take shots whenever they’re available.

Haynes is a 6-1 athletic, crafty guard that’s difficult to guard because of his ability to score from different areas on the court. Jackson is a 6-2 bully at the guard position. He has upper body strength and moves defenders out of the way in the paint with ease.

Walker and Jackson see the floor exceptionally well. Carroll has the ability to make solid passes in transition. Haynes is, simply, a natural scorer.

“I’m very impressed with Jacob (Walker) right now. I think a lot of people are going to be talking about Jacob Walker Jacob Walker 5'10" | PG FACS | 2025 State TN and Kris Carroll this year,” Wilkes said. “Two great kids, workaholics, always in the gym. The two newcomers, MJ (Haynes) and Cello (Jackson), you’re not going to find two better freshmen in the city.

“I think we have two of the better freshmen coming in to help this year. I’m very impressed with those guys.”

Losing six key seniors from a season ago in Daniel Egbuniwe, Corey Savage, TJ Thomas, Kobe Wilkes, Alex Harris, and Rashaun Wise would hurt most programs, but in this case for the Crusaders, they won’t lack talent on the court. Now, experience, at some point during the 2022 season, could play a factor in close games, but it will be helpful for FACS in the near future. 

It took last season’s senior class four years to win a state championship. That’s a hard feat to accomplish, but the future is bright for the Crusaders’ young core. Their opportunity to accomplish greatness like the previous class did could come at some point.