French Camp Academy enters the basketball season with experienced teams. The boys return all five starters and the girls four of five.Both teams will be attempting to improve on last year’s finish that saw the boys and the girls finish fourth in the Region 5-1A tournament, then lose to Leake County in the opening round of the MHSAA 1A playoffs.“I have five starters back, but I don’t know if all five will start,” said boys coach Robert Leathers. “I tend to play kids who play well together. They might not be the best players, but if they play well with others, that’s what I’m looking for.”Two who will definitely start are seniors C.J. Johnson and Darrion Smith. They form a dynamic duo on the basketball court, just as they do on the gridiron with Johnson throwing passes to Smith. Johnson averaged 19 points a season ago and Smith 15.1.The other returning starters are senior Coleman Mackenzie and juniors Ethan Chesser and Macon Bentley.“We have some young guys who are going to help out,” Leathers said. He mentioned Ty Moseley, a freshman.The hang up at this time is that every player on the team also plays football and the football season will extend into the playoffs, beginning November 13. Leathers has not been able to hold any practices and the beginning of the season is a question mark. The first three games are scheduled for November 17, 19 and 21, but at this point Leathers does not know if he will be able to field a team for any of those dates.Returning starters for the girls are Jasmine Bonty, last year’s leading scorer and rebounder, Jordan Carter, Grace Ann Wade and Taylor Benoit. Carter is a senior, the other three juniors.Marnae Miller, a senior, is penciled in as the other starter at point guard. Emma Wright, a junior guard, will see playing time off the bench.“We need to improve overall, every aspect,” said coach Patty LeVert. Turnovers were a problem in a classic game victory Vardaman.French Camp will compete in Region 5-1A with Ethel, Noxapater, McAdams, Nanih Waiya and West Lowndes. West Lowndes dominated last year, winning boys and girls championships. West Lowndes girls advanced to the playoff semifinals before losing to state champion Pine Grove and the boys to the third round. Both return a solid nucleus of players.
