Currently sitting in second place in the district, the Plant City High boys basketball team looks like a
contender to make it to regionals in early 2017. Much of the team’s production comes from the trio of senior Tarik McKelphin, junior Matt Simpson and sophomore Justyn King. King is the only Raider currently averaging a double-double (16.1 points, 11.2 rebounds per game), and has recorded 39 points and 31 rebounds in the team’s last three games.
Know someone who deserves an Athlete of the Week feature? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com by the Friday before the next issue.
In your opinion, how’s this season going?
It’s going good. We started off slow in the beginning, but we’re picking up the pace.
What changed to where you guys started picking up the pace?
What changed was Coach (Billy Teeden) telling us what’s the
important thing, what’s coming up for us, what’s going to be in districts in a couple weeks. Next week, as a matter of fact. He brought up districts, and that made us play harder and play better.
Is there anything on the court that you guys have been focusing on more since then?
Defense wins games, so we’ve learned more about defense. When we get steals on defense, we get easy buckets on offense.
You’re putting up a double-double right now. What are you doing differently this year from last year?
My personality changed. Last year, I was young and, as a freshman, I didn’t really know the high school game. But learning all the techniques and the speed of the high school game, I’ve gotten better.
With districts coming up next week, how far do you think the team can go?
We’re going all the way. That’s how I feel. We’re going to win districts. I’m positive. My team, we can do it. We’ve got the talent to do it.
What’s this team’s strong suit?
Scoring. Getting to the bucket, really. We’ve got people that can attack. Once we attack the bucket and they help over, they can easily get the ball out to our bigs. So, it gets kind of confusing for other teams playing defense.
Is there any sport you’ve never played, but always wanted to?
Baseball. I just see all the baseball players running around, playing baseball in P.E. or whatever, and it looks kind of cool. I’ve always wanted to play it, but I doubt I’m going to do it.
Who are your favorite basketball players?
Chris Bosh, because he’s left-handed. Steph Curry, because he can shoot. College-wise, I like Malik Monk from Kentucky because his athleticism is out of the park.
When you’re playing NBA 2K and make your own player, what team do you put yourself on?
I put myself with the Warriors or the Cavaliers.