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First-year coach Caleb Marcum has every intention of upholding that reputation despite starting the 2007-’08 season with a roster littered with inexperienced players. “People expect a Temple team to win every game,” Marcum said. “Even though we lost a lot from last year’s (Class 1A) state championship team, we still have the same, high expectations. It’s still Tennessee Temple. People expect us to win no matter who we put on the floor. That comes with the tradition that has been established here.” |
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Skogen, a Mr. Basketball finalist, is one of three senior starters who have departed along with speedy playmaker Dee Newson and banger-deluxe Josh Smith. Erik Larson, who started the first half of the season and continued to be a key player in the Crusaders’ championship run, also was lost to graduation. “There’s no question we lost a lot,” Marcum said. “That was a very good team, and those guys were a huge part of that. It’s tough to replace a Seth Skogen or a Dee Newson. When you lose that type of talent and experience, it comes back to you have to play harder and guard better. We’re going to have to show up every single game and not take a day off. If we do that, I think we’re capable of making it back to the state championship. “Our goal is to win 25 games, win the district championship, win the region championship and ultimately win the state championship.” Marcum, 26, is a graduate of Tennessee Temple Academy and Tennessee Temple University, where he was an honorable mention All-American as a senior in 2004. He was a starting shooting guard on TTU’s 2004 National Championship team. Known as a defensive stopper, Marcum brings that same tenacity and defensive-minded approach to the floor as a coach. “I like pressure defense,” Marcum said. “I like to get after people defensively and force a lot of turnovers. I’m a firm believer that you live and die on defense. Shooting will come and go but you should never have an off night on defense. If we can maintain that mentality we’ll be fine. “On offense, we want to get up and down the floor. We’ve got a lot of guys on this team that can make plays off the dribble. Hopefully, we can create some mismatches and take advantage of those.” One of the players Marcum was referring to is Jeremy Sexton, one of the top players in the Chattanooga area. The smooth-shooting guard is the team’s leading returning scorer after averaging 15 points per game a year ago as a sophomore starter. He will be asked to carry more of the offensive load this year with Skogen and Co. no longer around. “Everybody knows about Jeremy, they know he’s got a lot of talent,” Marcum said. “He’s got the potential to be one of the greatest players to come out of Tennessee Temple. He’s a triple-threat guy. He can dribble it, pass it and shoot it. And he’s smart. Jeremy knows how to play. It’s going to be more of a team thing, but we’re going to depend a lot on Jeremy. And he’s up to it. He’s got the ability to carry the load for us.” The other returning starter is Brandon Andrews, who was inserted into the starting lineup midway through last season. Andrews, also a junior, is expected to play at both guard spots. Andrews brings a lot of energy to the court on both ends of the floor. “He’s going to be our defensive stopper,” Marcum said. “We’re going to put him on the other team’s best player every night. Brandon is going to be a big key for us. He’s the biggest leader we have on our team. Everybody likes Brandon, everybody looks up to him.” Sexton and Andrews are the only returning players who saw extended playing time a year ago, so Marcum will count heavily on a handful of players who will be thrust into the varsity spotlight for the first time in their careers. Leading that group is James Kemp, a heady combo guard who is very familiar with the Temple system. Kemp, a junior, has logged many minutes on the junior varsity level, excelling at times, while displaying a nice shooting stroke and ball-handling skills. “James is going to be the glue,” Marcum said. “He may be the biggest surprise in Chattanooga. He works so hard. He’s one of those guys you can’t keep out of the gym. I expect him to direct the team, control the game and make open shots.” Ben Montgomery and Kendell Petersen are also expected to make significant contributions this year. Montgomery, a junior, and Petersen, the team’s lone senior, will likely split starts at one post spot depending on the matchup. Montgomery, a lefty, is more of a true post player who plays with his back to the basket. While Petersen is a more athletic player, capable of playing on the perimeter, too. “It’s all mental with Ben,” Marcum said. “He’s got the talent, he’s just got to have the confidence he can play with everybody else. I thought he was the MVP of our scrimmage with Soddy Daisy. If he plays like that, the sky is the limit with Ben. “With Kendell, he’s one of the quickest, strongest guys we have. He brings a lot of athletic energy. Like Brandon (Andrews), he’ll be a (defensive) stopper.” Another key player is Jarrod Johnson, who is in his first year at Temple after transferring from Huntsville, Alabama. A cousin of Andrews, the 6-foot-4 Johnson is expected to help solidify the frontline on a team filled mostly with guards. Johnson, a junior, has tremendous hands, one reason he is such a gifted rebounder. He is also very versatile, capable of banging inside and stepping out and knocking down the open trey. “J-Rod is going to be a big help,” Marcum said. “He provides us with an inside presence we really lacked. If he can learn to guard like we expect at Temple, and also learn how to stay out of foul trouble, he’s going to have a great year.” Josh Reaves, Dexter Peterson, Nathan Rector and newcomer Nathan Pendergrass are also expected to make contributions this year. Reaves, a surprisingly athletic junior, is a versatile player who can play on the wing or in the post. Petersen, Kendell’s younger brother, is one of the team’s quickest guards. Rector, a freshman who started at quarterback on the football team, is known for his hustle and tenacity. And Pendergrass, a junior, is a steady performer who should earn more playing time as he gets more familiar with the system. “I’m looking for all of those guys to give us some quality minutes off the bench,” Marcum said. “They all bring something positive to the table.” Two games against McCallie and tournaments at Cleveland and Dalton highlight Temple’s regular season schedule. The Crusaders also host Ooltewah and Pickett County “Our schedule is very tough,” Marcum said. “McCallie always has a good team. Van Buren and Pickett County are both picked to win their regions. Ooltewah will be tough. And that’s not to mention all of our region games. Our region is the toughest in the state. You’ve got Grace, CSAS. . .Silverdale is going to be improved. It’s a challenging schedule, but I think in the long run it can only help our team get better.” back to home page | TOP
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