Despite his team playing in an unforgiving region, longtime Jefferson coach Bolling DuBose is unflinching when talking about his team’s goals.
“Win the region championship and make a run in the state tournament,” DuBose said. “That’s our goal every year. I certainly think we’re good enough to do that.”
DuBose lost his leading scorer from last year (David Watson) from a 15-12 team but has confidence thanks to an experienced backcourt and multiple options in the post.
“We have a lot of guys back that had a lot of playing time,” DuBose said. “They may or may not have started last year but they did have a lot of playing time.”
Jefferson returns senior point guard Andre Daniel and second-leading scorer Austin Thompson, also a senior. Daniel is a natural at his position, one who looks to penetrate and create opportunities for shooters. DuBose said he Daniel should be one of the best point guards in the region. Meanwhile, Thompson is a streaky shooter who can put up numbers in bunches. DuBose said the key is getting more consistency from him. Junior small forward Bryant Shirreffs also returns and has benefitted from being in the program for a year. Shirreffs, who actually broke a finger during football season, is very versatile and can attack the basket.
The Dragons look to a new starter at power forward, Jeshua Kidd, a skilled offensive player who creates match-up problems for other teams. Kidd will be counted on heavily for rebounding, too.
Meanwhile, Jefferson has multiple options at center, including senior Andrew Bartek, who DuBose calls a very physical player; senior Dustin Casey, who provides Jefferson with a large presence in the paint; and sophomore Rufus Whitfield, a 240-pounder who has improved immensely.
The team’s tallest player, the 6-4 Will Puckett, can play either power forward or center. The senior has a long wing span and can alter shots. Jefferson has added depth in the post with players like junior Tanner Williams (who’s playing with a broken foot) and junior Tyler Patrick.
So that’s seven post players DuBose can call upon.
DuBose is also confident in the team’s backups at the guard and small forward positions, like Lance Pass (junior point guard), Rocquescz Young (freshman point guard), Willie Taylor (sophomore shooting guard), Clay Cooper (junior guard) and small forward Satchel Turpin (sophomore small forward), a good shooter that DuBose is excited about. Turpin could fill in for Shirreffs if Shirreffs’ finger limits him.
Jefferson’s roster is such that the Dragons could play a bigger lineup with its physical post players or move to a smaller, quicker lineup to press.
“I do think we can mix our lineup up depending on who we’re playing and what kind of game we like to play,” DuBose said.
And DuBose said the Dragons will “run and press like we always do” to try to create shots off the fast break.
Like last year, the 8-AA South subregion schedule will be demanding. Both Elbert County and Hart County reached the state playoffs last year. Powerhouse East Hall (an Elite Eight team a year ago) is on the other side of the region, as is Rabun County, which also went to state.
“I do think the region is strong,” he said. “Obviously, our subregion is always good. So we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
But DuBose believes that this team — his 36th at Jefferson — has its intangibles.
“I think the attitude this past summer during our summer workouts was the best we’ve had in a long, long time,” DuBose said. “These kids they worked hard, they got along great together, they were dependable. They had the right attitude.”
DuBose added, “I think everyone of them expects us to have a great season.”
