Novicki, in first season, has Blue Devils off to 4-1 start

South Lenoir head coach Paul Novicki looks over the team’s upcoming schedule on his laptop. Rudy Coggins/Neuse News

DEEP RUN - Defensive pressure and speed will be key parts of the equation as first-year South Lenoir head boys' basketball coach Paul Novicki attempts to take his team to the postseason.

So far, he's on track.

Led by three returning starters, the Blue Devils are 4-1 overall after their road win at West Craven on Tuesday evening.

"We're not very tall, but we have a lot of speed," Novicki said. "We like to get up and down the court. We've got a good group. They work hard and I'm very happy with them. I wish we could make a few more shots, but maybe that will come the next few games."

Senior CJ Kenion has emerged as the Blue Devils' top scorer and averages 12.8 points an outing. Junior Jonte Dixon knocks down 11.8 per game, while senior Rico Freeman and junior Geovanni Williams each score 8.3. Junior RJ Pickett contributes 7.5.

The Blue Devils manage 50.3 points a game.

"CJ, he's had a great year," Novicki said. "You've got to beg him to shoot and he definitely leads the team in steals. Rico hasn't shot the ball like he can, but he's the one who gets us in our offense ... basically the leader. Dixon is our tallest guy, has battled playing defense.

"I just hope I can get a little more scoring out of him the next few games."

Opponents can expect to see some form of man-to-man pressure defense from the Blue Devils, who have used turnovers and team speed to fuel their offense this season.

The break-neck pace doesn't rack up too many style points.

Novicki doesn't mind.

"We have to play our brand of basketball," he said. "It's not always pretty, but it's how we have to play to win."

South Lenoir travels to James Kenan on Thursday and entertains perennial powerhouse Kinston on Friday. Novicki's team concludes its pre-Christmas schedule with a Dec. 19 home contest against Charles B. Aycock.

After a two-week layoff, the Blue Devils step back into Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference action at home Jan. 7, 2020, against Ayden-Grifton.

Novicki describes the conference slate as "brutal."

"There is no easy game, nothing on the schedule where you can say 'I can win that one,'" he said. "You've got to come play every night. Every night is a battle."