Arendell Parrott looks to build upon last year's success
Arendell Parrott may have lost some star players to graduation, but the current roster is still striving for additional success.
Last year's Patriots team thrived under new head coach Dory Hines, going 14-11 and reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Arendell Parrott blasted Faith Christian 87-41 in its first home postseason contest in 14 years and was led by a pair of 1,000-point scorers in A.J. Banker and Kris Wooten.
Banker and Wooten graduated last season, forcing others to step up, including sophomore guard Nick Harrison who averaged 10 points per game and became a perimeter threat for the Patriots. This year, Harrison said he's focused more on just shooting.
"We're very young compared to last year's team, and I've been working on playing with the ball more instead of off the ball," Harrison said.
Rising junior Caleb Jones said he's prepared for a larger role as well and believes the team can be just as strong next season.
"We've got to work even harder this year, but I think we can make it to the playoffs again," Jones said. "I've been working with Coach Hines five times a week, getting better offensively and improving my ballhandling."
Arendell Parrott traveled to Kinston Thursday for a scrimmage and will head to Mount Olive Friday for another. Hines said he didn't have his entire team against the Vikings, but has high hopes for the Patriots when the season starts.
"Nick has shown a lot of growth and his development is going to be key for us," Hines said. "Caleb was our point guard last year and will have the ball in his hands more this year, so he's been working even harder. We're blessed to have (senior) Jaquan Mosley from South Lenoir and while he didn't play (against Kinston Thursday) he had 20 (points) and 15 (rebounds) against (Wilson) Greenfield last week. We also have a few other guys who weren't here against Kinston, Trey McLawhorn, Jonah Beaman and Matthew Huntley, who could be starters next season.
"We've got a ways to go, but hopefully we'll be able to get everything together in the fall. I also hope we can get another Big Three going with Nick, Caleb, and Jaquan like we did last year with Kris, A.J., and Nick."
