By Richard Carrier
Contributing Writer

Coming off of a dismal 4-17 season the Powhatan High School boys basketball team is very optimistic that a vast improvement, based on defense and an entirely new offensive philosophy, is on the way. “If we stand behind our defensive keys and take advantage of our height, we can shut you down,” said Head Coach Steve Washburn.
The height comes in the form of senior Ellis Moore, who will be called on to be more consistent inside, be active on the boards and be the Indians’ second scoring option. At 6’5”, junior Nathan Adams will also be asked to take on a role as a “big” but with a different wrinkle. Adams is effective from 10-15 feet. In addition, he has developed an effective three-point shot. Senior Daniel Prillaman has worked on his post moves and “has made the greatest strides of all of our players,” Coach Washburn said. He will be called upon to handle the middle and, at 6’4”, combined with Moore and Adams to be a defensive presence. Junior Jason Dickerson is going to be a big post presence down the road. “He’s very strong and physical.”

“We’ll show lots of different looks out of a 1-3-1 or our man-to-man. Our mantra this year is ‘No Paint,’ Washburn said. “No second shots and make them beat us from outside.”

Offensively, “we probably can’t outscore a lot of teams,” Coach Washburn said. “particularly if we try to run with them.” Senior All-World Shawn Minor, will again get the major focus of every opposing team’s defense. He will probably face a box and one or other specialty defense at every outing. Still the number one scoring option, breakaway baskets will be hard to come by for Minor, but he will get more than his share if the “bigs” can control their defensive boards and the backcourt can produce turnovers. Minor will slide over to the two guard this year with junior Dion Berry taking over the point. After he shakes off the “football rust” he is going to be asked to do more, which shouldn’t be difficult for him. “He’s a very hard worker,” Coach Washburn said.

Senior Phillip Barden will be Moore’s alter ego at the three spot, starting in most situations. His coach is looking for him to combine his consistently good jump shot with his newly developed moves to the hoop and become the third scoring option. C.J. Burton is billed as a spot-up shooter with perimeter range. The junior will fill in at both the one and two guards. Senior Watson Fralin is almost Burton’s twin, providing relief at both one and two guard slots and effective perimeter shooting. He adds good defense to his resume also.

Senior Quaid Anderson didn’t play last year but has come back “as an in-the trenches-guy,” his coach said.” He combines his tenacity with a great knowledge of the game.

ophomore Tanner Phillips “is our point guard in training,” Coach Washburn said. “He’s learning and doing a good job of it.” Big things are expected of Phillips down the road and he also has the skill set to fill in at or become a “two.”

Coach Washburn is projecting a “top one-third finish” in the Southside District for his 2009-10 Indians.

The game-plan to achieve this is to get Shawn Minor involved, but establish Prillaman and Adams as an early post presence.

“We’ll build from the outside in and use our big interior presence to give Shawn, Ellis and Barden — who must improve his shot to score from outside — scoring opportunities,” Coach Washburn said. “There will be no track meets. We’ll be more mechanical and commit to taking better, high-percentage shots.”