2023-2024 Team Preview: Mortimer Jordan Blue Devils

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Mortimer Jordan Blue Devils</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Class 6A Area 12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Head Coach: Josh Golden</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Last Season Record: 4-16&nbsp;<em>(According to maxpreps.com)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Instagram</strong>: Mojoboysbskball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>X/Twitter</strong>: @mjhshoops</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2294691' first='Tanner' last='Chandler']</strong>&nbsp;(6'3/G|F/'25)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: tanner_chandler1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Tanner is a versatile wing player, and his team is looking to him to have a big season, especially on the offensive end of the floor. He averaged 18ppg/8rpg last season and is about 150 points shy of the 1,000-point mark. He is a guy on Mortimer Jordan's squad who can go for huge numbers on any given night. Tanner is a swingman that can score inside and out. He plays with a level of toughness that makes opponents either have to step their game up or be dominated. Along with his production on offense, Mortimer Jordan will look to Tanner for leadership.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2294695' first='Seth' last='Watkins']</strong>&nbsp;(6'2/G/'25)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: s1_watkins</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Seth is a guard who can flat-out score the rock and get it done at all three levels. He is a tough shot-maker and does not mind taking shots under pressure. The bigger the moment, the more Seth steps up to deliver. With Seth being so good at shot-making, defenders must be conscious of him every second he is on the floor. When Seth gets going, often, there is nothing defenses can do but try to outlast his scoring rampage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1753405' first='Logan' last='Myrick']</strong>&nbsp;(5'11/G/'25)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: logan_myrick_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Logan is one of the most valuable players on Mortimer Jordan's squad. He is a two-way player that impacts the game on both ends of the floor. He makes winning plays, and whether you know it or not, winning plays are not always scoring plays. Logan's impact is seen way beyond the stat sheet, even though he is one of the best 3-point shooters on the team. Defensively, he is very disruptive and gives ball-handlers problems when trying to execute their offense. His teammates love going to war with him, as he is the epitome of what a teammate should be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">When asked about two players who will be key pieces of the puzzle for his team this season that were not listed in the top three above, Coach Golden quickly mentioned the following two players:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2257705' first='Carmelo' last='Austin']</strong>&nbsp;(6'4/F/'24): Look for Carmelo to be the needed interior presence for the Blue Devils this year. He has tremendous upside, ok positional size that will cause problems within the state, can score the rock in the post, and thrives out in transition. He even will take his attempts from behind the arc as he is capable of making the three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2262562' first='Coleman' last='Maldonado']</strong>&nbsp;(5'10/G/'24): Coleman is looking to have a bounce-back season, as he struggled last year due to trying to play through the recovery from a football injury. Mortimer Jordan really missed his experience last year as he is a 4-year varsity player. He is never scared of the moment and plays his best when the lights are the brightest. He is a fearless backcourt player who can be trusted with the rock in his hands, as well as with taking big shots when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Coach Golden wants his team to play fast, which is something we see across the board in today's game. Playing fast will benefit Mortimer Jordan as their roster makeup suits a fast-paced style of play. When you have the depth that they will have this year, they will be able to keep the pace of the game fast for the entire 32 minutes. Coach Golden has a team in which he believes he can play all 15 players. He is excited about the size of his team this year, and hopefully, the size, along with the length, will be a factor every night his team takes the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">When asked what it would take for his team to make a deep playoff run, make it to the Final Four, or even win the State Championship, he told me his team must play together and leave their egos at the door. Being able to play all 15 players will cut some people's time, but winning must be the priority for everyone. Coming off a year where he had a very young team and graduated three seniors with one really providing significant minutes, Coach Golden is excited about this upcoming season as he has added some pieces that he believes will help his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->