LUMBERTON — The Lumberton boys basketball team is hoping that competition breeds excellence this season, and if that’s the case, the team that coach Matt Hill has watched this preseason should see the competition pay off with the Pirates’ veteran lineup.
“They’re very competitive and we are a little deeper than we have been before. That’s been a huge help,” Hill said. “We’ve got guys ready to sell out and ready to go. I’ve got guys asking me what they can do to take this program to the next level and that’s exciting to me.”
“We’ve got a little bit of size this year and we’ve got seasoned old guys and seasoned young guys.”
The Pirates are coming off their first trip to the NCHSAA state playoffs under Hill, who begins his third year this season with perhaps his most experienced team during his time there.
Leading the group is junior guard Jordan McNeill, the county’s leading returning scorer from a year ago after averaging more than 18 points and seven rebounds a contest. He is one of three starters returning for the Pirates, and is the main piece returning at the guard position. Hill said that McNeill is the most competitive player he has ever coached, and has added to the competitive level of the team.
Lumberton is without three-year starter Steph Lloyd at point guard after graduation, the development of the younger guards around McNeill will be vital as to how the season goes for the Pirates.
“I’ve been training at the 1 so that way I can play at the 1 or the 2 that way if they need me. It’s whatever the coach needs,” McNeill said.
“Good things should happen this year. We’ve got the same squad. Everyone has been busting their tail (this offseason) and we are going to add it together and it will be good.”
Other guards like seniors Brion Willis and Caleb Kelly, and sophomores Jadarian Chatman and Charlie Miller will be in the mix for the Pirates this season.
“The way our offense is set up, once we get in the half court, all four wing spots are the same,” Hill said. “It’s not as big for us in the half court to have one set guy that’s the point guard. We’ve got a lot of basketball players. Getting through the backcourt and presses, it’s going to take a team effort.”
Joining McNeill back from last season’s team are seniors Kwashek Breeden and Braylan Grice in the post. The pair averaged nearly 10 points and eight rebounds apiece, and will see more of a role than just in the paint this season.
“We’ve got size across the board that is very versatile,” Hill said. “It makes us a lot deeper because I can play a guy at guard, I can play a guy at wing and in the post. It helps out when we get in foul trouble in one position and there won’t be much of a drop-off.”
Breeden provides a difficult skill set for defenders with his height and length, and his ability to score from the perimeter and slashing to the basket in the half court or in transition.
“I want to be a leader this year. We’ve got a lot of young guys so I’m trying to get them better this year,” Breeden said. “We’ve got a lot of strength in the post and outside the post. There are some guards that are really tough and can handle it.”
Adding to the depth in the frontcourt will be juniors Michael Todd and C.J. McCray.
Hill also noticed the difference leading into the year after being established for two seasons already.
“I’m not having to teach the basics this year,” Hill said. “This year you kind of get to reap the benefits of all the teaching you’ve been doing. Now it’s more like we’ve taught them and we can start critiquing the little things.”
Last season the Pirates finished in a tie for fourth place in the Sandhills Athletic Conference, before defeating Seventy-First in the conference tournament to qualify for the state playoffs. But the Pirates want more this season.
“The guys have been very adamant at winning conference,” Hill said. “It’s a tough conference, and we would love to win the (Robeson County Shootout). We’ve been close the last few years and the kids want it. They’re hungry.”
Lady Pirates begin new era
For the first time in 24 years, the girls basketball coach at Lumberton will be someone other than Danny Graham. Taking over is Graham’s longtime assistant Sam Davis, who is putting his own stamp on the program in his first year.
“We put some new stuff in and will try to throw some new types of offenses and defenses at these teams,” Davis said. “I don’t want them thinking that we are going to be running the same things we did over the last couple years.”
Helping guide the team through the growing process of a new coaching staff are seniors Madison Canady, Rachel O’Neil and Alexandria Simpson, all key pieces from last year that have bigger roles to fill with four-year standout London Thompson no longer a part of the picture after graduating.
“Those three a leading this team, and that’s what we want to see. As long as we can keep them three seniors motivating, we will have a successful season,” Davis said. “I’m depending on those three to make everyone else play well.”
Last season, Canady led the team as she averaged 16.8 points and 10.8 rebounds a game. Her and Simpson will anchor the post this season with some of the same faces in the backcourt, minus Thompson. O’Neil brings a deep-shooting threat for the Lady Pirates, with underclassmen August Smith, Akwarias Stubbs and Zy Cade expected to see major minutes at guard.
“Those three there, have come a long way since last year,” Davis said. “They stepped on the floor this year and said, ‘Coach, I’m not going to be scared this year.’ I said, ‘don’t tell me, show me.’”
The scoring lift when the Lady Pirates need a bucket, something that Thompson provided for four years, will come from O’Neil and Canady, according to Davis.
“Both of them have to go out there and have to understand that you can’t take it within yourself to win it, you have to play with your team,” Davis said.
Adding to the post depth will be transfer forward Katelyn Culbreth.
