NewsAthleticsUpper School
Varsity boys basketball team wins region
Mar 14, 2006 12:19 PM
By Tannika King - Faculty
It was a season full of successes and accolades for this year’s varsity boys basketball team, whose early win at the 52nd annual Rome News-Tribune Holiday Festival boosted players’ morale and sent them state-bound.
In December, the Tigers won their first-ever Holiday Festival, defeating Cedartown 73-66 in the final round. Senior Greg Phillips said this early victory helped boost the team’s confidence for the remainder of the season.
“Winning the Christmas tournament was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had,” he said. “It really boosted our morale and showed us that, if we play our best, we can have success against anyone.”
On Feb. 11, the Tigers were named 6-AA Region champions after defeating Coosa 92-79. Junior Shawn Powell, often called one of the team’s powerhouses, scored a career-high 31 points.
“Our success was a total team effort,” said Head Coach Jim Van Es. “This year, we had three starters coming back, and were able to control the tempo of the game. We practiced hard, worked towards a goal, and saw our efforts really pay off. Once we won the region, it helped us realize that we were somebody.”
In the first round of the state playoffs, Darlington beat Walker 84-53, with junior Corey Roper scoring 28 points. Although the Tigers lost to top-ranked East Hall in the second round, players seem satisfied with their overall success.
“Losing to East Hall gave a lot of us the type of experience that will carry us far,” said freshman Tyshawn Good. “We know what to look forward to and what needs to be worked on in preparation for next year.”
Following their regional win and a final 21-5 record, the Tigers were named team of the year by the Northwest Georgia Tip-Off Club, with Van Es receiving Coach of the Year and Roper, Player of the Year. Roper was also named to the Georgia Coaches Association’s All-State team.
“Roper impacts the game more than any player I have ever coached. He has the ability to make everyone around him a better player,” said Van Es.
Other area coaches also noticed Roper’s impact on the game, voting him the Region 6-AA Player of the Year. Also named to the All-Region Boys Team was teammate Powell.
Players contribute much of their success to Van Es, who won his 600th game this season.
“After rough nights, Coach Van Es would encourage us to keep our heads up as individuals and as a team,” said Good. “When he talked to us, he brought out an intensity that carried us through the season.”
“He helped us to understand the ‘team’ concept and the fact that it took all 13 of us to win a game, not just five or six,” added Phillips. “He won’t take the credit, but without him, we would have just been an average team.”
As for next year, the Tigers look forward to picking up right where they left off.
“We have three starters coming back, and we are going to keep the momentum going,” said Powell. “With this team, we are capable of anything. We’ll only get better.”
In December, the Tigers won their first-ever Holiday Festival, defeating Cedartown 73-66 in the final round. Senior Greg Phillips said this early victory helped boost the team’s confidence for the remainder of the season.
“Winning the Christmas tournament was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had,” he said. “It really boosted our morale and showed us that, if we play our best, we can have success against anyone.”
On Feb. 11, the Tigers were named 6-AA Region champions after defeating Coosa 92-79. Junior Shawn Powell, often called one of the team’s powerhouses, scored a career-high 31 points.
“Our success was a total team effort,” said Head Coach Jim Van Es. “This year, we had three starters coming back, and were able to control the tempo of the game. We practiced hard, worked towards a goal, and saw our efforts really pay off. Once we won the region, it helped us realize that we were somebody.”
In the first round of the state playoffs, Darlington beat Walker 84-53, with junior Corey Roper scoring 28 points. Although the Tigers lost to top-ranked East Hall in the second round, players seem satisfied with their overall success.
“Losing to East Hall gave a lot of us the type of experience that will carry us far,” said freshman Tyshawn Good. “We know what to look forward to and what needs to be worked on in preparation for next year.”
Following their regional win and a final 21-5 record, the Tigers were named team of the year by the Northwest Georgia Tip-Off Club, with Van Es receiving Coach of the Year and Roper, Player of the Year. Roper was also named to the Georgia Coaches Association’s All-State team.
“Roper impacts the game more than any player I have ever coached. He has the ability to make everyone around him a better player,” said Van Es.
Other area coaches also noticed Roper’s impact on the game, voting him the Region 6-AA Player of the Year. Also named to the All-Region Boys Team was teammate Powell.
Players contribute much of their success to Van Es, who won his 600th game this season.
“After rough nights, Coach Van Es would encourage us to keep our heads up as individuals and as a team,” said Good. “When he talked to us, he brought out an intensity that carried us through the season.”
“He helped us to understand the ‘team’ concept and the fact that it took all 13 of us to win a game, not just five or six,” added Phillips. “He won’t take the credit, but without him, we would have just been an average team.”
As for next year, the Tigers look forward to picking up right where they left off.
“We have three starters coming back, and we are going to keep the momentum going,” said Powell. “With this team, we are capable of anything. We’ll only get better.”
