Early look: 4 observations from Cordova/ MHEA’s scrimmage

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cordova defeated Memphis-Area Home Education Association, 72-57, in a scrimmage Thursday evening. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a great tune up for both programs as the 2023-24 season officially kicks off next Tuesday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are four observations from the scrimmage:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thomas could blossom this season</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior guard <strong>Caleb</strong> <strong>Thomas</strong> shot the ball well in the first half of the scrimmage. Once the first two 3s fell, the 6-foot-0 guard got into a nice rhythm. He made a total of 6 3s in the loss. Before the contest, many didn't know how well Thomas shot the ball. Now, he's in position to make a name for himself and earn the respect of other prospects in his class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas's confidence heading into this season is simple: Just keep shooting until one falls. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>”Last season when I missed my first shot, I was just out of it for the whole game. I started our last tournament 0 for 4, but keep shooting if you are a real shooter,” Thomas said. “I ended up shooting 13 of 21 for the tournament. Just keep shooting. I can't be down after missing one.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MHEA's size will be a plus this season </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles have size in the frontcourt with seniors <strong>Andrew</strong> <strong>Thomas</strong> and <strong>Robert</strong> <strong>Dawkins</strong>. Both are roughly 6-5 and can be a handful on the boards. Thomas didn't play in the scrimmage due to an ankle injury, but he's coming off a junior season averaging 14 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, so he's a proven difference maker in both categories. Dawkins was the only big on the floor for MHEA and put forth effort on the boards - especially in the first half - giving the Eagles second and third-chance scoring opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a healthy Thomas to go along with Dawkins, MHEA will be fine in the rebounding area. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cordova will need Johnson to be consistent</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1676953' first='Randin' last='Johnson'] has made strides since he arrived to the Wolfpack program a season ago. In this lone season, Johnson, a 6-5 forward, will have to play consistently on both ends of the floor. Rebounding, altering shots, and staying out of foul trouble will go well for Cordova's success this season. Battling down low with Dawkins is a test Johnson needed to see early on. Maybe that was the wake-up call he needed to realize the effort has to be there on every possession, and more times than not, he will have to come out victorious. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cordova got time to tweak some things</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's early. There seemed to be rust amongst the unit since Thursday marked the program's first scrimmage against another opponent. A high number of the team's shot attempts were flat and, mostly, hit the front of the rim. As a unit, the Wolfpack weren't great defensively in the first half. There were too many possessions where Cordova gambled on defense and didn't communicate. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But at moments in the second half, spectators saw what the Wolfpack can be on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Cordova will play fast and make shots from different areas on the floor because of the personnel. Along with seniors <strong>Emerson</strong> <strong>Tenner</strong>, <strong>Jay</strong> <strong>Tyler</strong> and <strong>Julius</strong> <strong>Thedford</strong>, seniors <strong>Waylen</strong> <strong>Taylor</strong>, <strong>Azavier</strong> <strong>Zanders</strong>, and <strong>Karl</strong> <strong>Burroughs</strong> are capable of making shots. Spacing won't be an issue with this team. Tenner got into the lane whenever he wanted to against the Eagles' guards. He was more of a facilitator Thursday night, something he has always wanted to show he can do. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, this group will have to be pests, since this team is relatively small outside of Johnson. In the second half, the Wolfpack picked up their intensity, created turnovers, and took control of the contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's not a single juggernaut in TSSAA Division 1 Class 4A this season, so it's wide open for Cordova to be the last team standing by season's end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->