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Homewood’s Malik Cook (0) drives the baseline against Ramsay is a game last season. Cook is already a 1,000-point scorer heading into his senior season for the Patriots.
Homewood basketball coach Tim Shepler’s recipe for a successful season for his Patriots? Mix some experienced players with senior leadership and a classfull of juniors who posted undefeated seasons as freshmen and junior varsity sophomores, and Cook.
As in Malik Cook.
Shepler begins his 20th season at Homewood with the only player he’s ever coached who’s reached the 1,000-point mark before his senior season. That’s Cook, his 6-foot, 185-pound point guard.
“He’s a physical guard,” Shepler said. “He’s a good rebounding guard and I think he’s learning to be a better passer.”
Cook played the shooting guard spot his first two years on the varsity, but Shepler said he’s adjusted to the new role with a season under his belt there. “He’s starting to feel comfortable at the point. He sees the floor well.”
Cook shot 40 percent from 3-point range last year.
“That’s what makes him so effective. If you back off of him, he can shoot the 3 and if you’re up on him he can drive by you to the basket. He’s probably gotten a half-step quicker in the offseason,” Shepler said.
Cook is one of three players who started last season. Post player Chris Miller, a 6-2, 240-pound junior, is a physical player with good hands and good offensive skills around the basket. Junior Griffin Rivers started at times as well. He and big John Yarbrough (6-5, 275) will join the team after football season, and Yarbrough, a standout offensive tackle, should provide senior leadership.
Then there’s the cadre of juniors up from JV who don’t know what it’s like to lose. Austin Patterson, Ronald Claiborne and Peyton Brown head that list, and they bring chemistry and solid basketball skills as they step up. They were unbeaten as freshmen and again as sophomores on the JV team.
“They’re used to winning,” Shepler said. “We’re in a tough area and our schedule is very tough, so we’ll see how they respond when they face adversity. That’s why I think senior leadership is going to be key for us.”
Shepler’s teams always stress defense, but he thinks this year’s team is also a skilled offensive team. “I do think we’ve got some kids who can score the basketball.”
Homewood made it to the 5A regional semifinals last season as the Patriots posted a 21-10 record. Moving up to 6A, the Pats are in an area with Pelham, Briarwood Christian and John Carroll.
It’s a competitive area, but Shepler, who now has 456 career wins, likes the mix of his team and is optimistic about the Patriots’ chances.
“I think we’ll be right there.”
