JV Corner: 2023-2024 JV Team Preview: Murphy Panthers

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Murphy High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Head Coach: Andre Epps</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>X/Twitter</strong>: @Murphypanthers2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Key Players</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Derrick Neal&nbsp;</strong>(6'4/F)<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Derrick is an excellent shot-blocker and is very aggressive on the boards. He is a dominant force down low who can finish well at the rim. He also can step out and knock down the mid-range jumper. He is a developing leader in the program who is showing the capacity to be a leader on and off the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2224470"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Ramarr is a streaky shooter, but when he gets it going, he can absolutely shoot the lights out. He is a player that must be accounted for at all times because he can knock down the open three, and, as I mentioned, when he gets it going, he shoots the three at a high percentage. This will be a year that he will need to elevate his game to the place where he can put the ball on the floor and create his shot.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653fce9968c4f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2224462"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Joshua is a high-energy and effort guy. He can score the rock on all 3 levels and is a primary scoring option for the JV. Joshua plays both sides of the court and does a good job getting after it on defense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653fce9968cbe"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>I asked Coach Epps about two players he feels are underrated and what they will bring to the JV team this year, and he spoke about the following two players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Tonio Hardy</strong> and <strong>J'Auan Lipsey</strong> both bring good guard play to the floor. Both guys are tough off the bounce and get to the cup with ease. Tonio is an athletic freshman who has been dunking since middle school and has the potential to emerge as a key piece in the Panthers' program. Lipsey is a quick guard, very twitchy, who can beat defenders off the dribble and get to his spots. Both will get valuable playing time this year.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>I asked Coach Epps what are his goals for the JV team for this season, and he replied:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">To develop and move as many guys up to varsity as possible. We will work to daily get them better so that by the end of the year, they are better than they were at the beginning of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>I asked Coach Epps at the end of the year what must happen with the JV guys for you to say that the JV team had a successful year, and he replied:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I would like to see growth and maturity on and off the court. Hopefully, some of the guys will have developed to a place where they can move up at the end of the season and help out on varsity.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->