MT. HERMON – It looks different and might feel different for the Asheboro boys’ basketball team.
But the Blue Comets have been winning nonetheless in what might be a season in transition.
Following a 23-win season, coach Brian Nance said he knew there would be different challenges.
“They’re still cutting their teeth a little bit,” Nance said of his team.
Some of the high-scoring outcomes might not be as frequent for the Blue Comets, who entered this week with a 5-1 record.
They’ve already discovered there are different ways to succeed.
“It’s a lot different,” senior forward Osiris Rodriguez said. “Trying to find some consistency in scoring.”
In the meantime, there’s a reliance on defense.
“Right now, our defense is what we’re hanging our hat on,” Nance said.
That was largely the case in last week’s 58-52 non-conference victory at Southern Alamance.
Elijah Woodle’s steal and basket gave the Blue Comets the lead early in the fourth quarter. He also scored the next two baskets, including a three-point play.
Then leading by 53-52 in the final minute, Jewel Barrett-Riggins scored and that was followed by the Blue Comets forcing a turnover. Woodle sank two free throws with 19 seconds left.
“A win is a win,” Nance said. “We gutted it out and I told them, ‘Your defense carried us.’ ”
Rodriguez finished with 19 points, Jalial Timmons had 15 points and Woodle added 13.
Woodle, a senior guard, and Rodriguez are returning starters from last season. They know it’s a chore for the team to replace the output from Jerquarius Stanback (25 points per game) and sharpshooter Camden Walker (15.9).
“You get spoiled,” Nance said. “I think it could come.”
Woodle said it’s clear the Blue Comets must work hard for their points.
“We just got to find the right spots,” Woodle said.
Woodle (9.3) and Rodriguez (8.9) were third and fourth in scoring last season for Asheboro.
Southern Alamance coach Dylan Eppley, who previously was girls’ coach at Providence Grove, said the Blue Comets demonstrated physically that was difficult to match. He said Asheboro might look different, but appears to have adjusted.
“To lose that and then to be able to buy in to a somewhat different system is impressive,” Eppley said.
Rodriguez said there are traits that can help define the Blue Comets.
“Bringing our overall team energy, that’s our No. 1 thing,” Rodriguez said, knowing that Asheboro is facing “gritty teams that get you down to the bone.”
The Blue Comets are counting on Woodle and Rodriguez in leadership capacities.
“We need it,” Woodle said. “We call the shots basically.”
At least that has gone smoothly.
“We stepped into the leadership roles pretty easy,” Rodriguez said.
