Team Workout Series: Cooldige

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Some people think Coolidge may be down this year. Its coach, Vaughan Jones disagrees.

October 14, 2009 – Having gone 23-10 when first assuming head coaching duties at Coolidge High School two years ago, and securing a 18-8 record en route to winning the DCIAA West Division and a Coach of the Year Award last season, Vaughan Jones has re-established the school as a local force in secondary school hoops.

Affirming that standing is this year’s schedule. “We go to the Kruel Classic (Florida, December 17-23)” started Jones yesterday, when asked about the Colt’s schedule this year. “December 9th we play DeMatha at the Caron Butler Classic again, here. We’re going to Alaska January 14th through the 19th. January 9th we face Riverdale in what will likely be called the Coolidge Invitational”.

Interspersed throughout are the usual tilts with DCIAA foes such as Ballou, Anacostia, and arch-rival Teddy Roosevelt, in addition to Sidwell Friends’ season jump-off event (December 4th-5th) and a match up with at Friendship Edison on December 8th.

Julian Williams is a spunky point guard who can also score.

That’s a very ambitious slate of games (that does not include the possibility of playing in DCIAA tourney action), which Jones described as “rough”, one devised with a roster-in-mind clearly capable of handling it. But as things go in high school basketball, the unexpected seems to happen frequently, leaving the Colts being viewed externally as not a great threat to reach Jones' goals of “winning our league, winning the league title (tourney) and winning the City Title”.

“I think so, and normally I think it’s a good thing” for observers to downplay his program, opined Jones. “It’s a good thing this year not to have all that fanfare…I expect some ups and down, but in February not be struggling”.

Jeremy Underwood (skins) is a guard that likes to score in transition, attacking the tin or pulling up for jumpers.

Why does the coach, himself a high school All-American and collegiate standout at George Washington University who went on to play professional basketball, feel his team will develop as the season progresses? Youth would be the answer, along with inexperience.

Don’t feel too sorry for the Colts, as they have one of the better backcourts in the area, as well as a budding front court man. Those players and others are detailed below.

Jones also will use his unit to its strengths, as good coaches do. “We will play four guards sometimes, three guards sometimes” he said of the Colts’likely offensive deployment. “They will be smaller than teams in the past. We will make up for it with tenacity…They are going to have to get it done”.

Defensively, Coolidge will utilize a number of schemes, including “different zones and presses”, though historically the Colts have been primarily a man to man team.

Now, on to the ballers:

Julian Williams – 5’8”, 150 pound senior point guard – Last year, Williams, who has a 3.3 GPA dropped 11 points, seven assists and four steals a game, can penetrate, dish, and shoot. Tough as nails, Julian will likely play lower level Division I basketball.

Jeremy Underwood – 6’0”, 180 pound senior combo guard - The team’s second leading scorer last year (14 points, four rebounds and three assists), Jones indicated Underwood “has got a lot stronger now - he’s 180 pounds and was 165 pounds - by hitting the weights”. That’s bad news for foes, since Jeremy can drive, finish and pull up from mid-range – Jones tabbed him “one of the best three point shooters in our area”.

Schools have taken notice, as North Carolina A&T has offered, with Cornell, Vermont, and UMBC have expressed interest.

Ju-Ju Watkins is becoming a team leader.

Juwan 'Ju-Ju' Watkins - 6'7", 180 pound junior forward - Watkins, a three/four mix put in "18 points and 14 rebounds" a game this summer for Coolidge, leading Jones to prognosticate a "double-double" average for him this year.

Also having worked on his perimeter skills, Watkins has also become much stronger and taken on a leadership position at Coolidge. All that will be necessary, as he tries to step into the role of now departed Andre Mattison, a student athlete at Florida Atlantic..

Steven Brooks - 6'2", 170 pound sophomore guard - Jones indicated Brooks was "our third guard last year", one that can play both backcourt slots. Speedy, Brooks reminds Jones "Of a young Dereck 'Dirkie' Washington, now reportedly starting at Independence CC (KS).

Derek Campbell - 6'2", 185 pound junior guard - Campbell, due to his shooting ability, will be called upon to provide scoring off the bench this season.

Important Notes:

Coolidge has started a freshman team, and welcomes competition.

As illustrated above, the Colts are traveling to Florida and Alaska - literally the poles when it comes to American geography. Resultantly, they are looking for sponsors and assistance.

Both issues can be addressed by emailing Allmet92@msn.com.