BUTCH HARMON
Although LaDontae Henton is now in the starting lineup for Providence College of the Big East, the cupboard is far from bare for the Lansing Eastern Quakers, who reached the Class A regional title game last March before falling to Kalamazoo Central in dramatic fashion.
The Quakers will miss the 28 points and 17 rebounds per game that Henton, a two-time, all-state selection provided, but several returning players give coach Rod Watts plenty around which to build.
“We should be pretty good, even though we lost LaDontae,” Watts said. “We have guys who are scrappy and guys that play some pretty tough defense coming back. We are going to have to replace LaDontae’s 28 points and 17 rebounds by committee.”
Eastern returns a solid core of veterans. Senior Fredrick Edmonds (6’4″) is an outstanding all-around athlete who can do a number of things on the floor. Junior Brian Morton (6’2″) is a developing two-guard with an excellent outside shot.
Another key piece to the puzzle is junior guard Cha Cha Tucker (6’0″). Entering his third season on the varsity, Tucker is a fabulous passer and floor general. Senior guard Amari George (6’3″) will also see plenty of time on a Quaker team that may be lacking height, but that will offer plenty of quickness and skill.
“We are going to be scrappy,” Watts said. “We have a group of guys who will compete with passion all over the floor. They will be able to get up and down the floor. We will have four guys on the floor at a time who are capable of grabbing the board and taking off and going.”
Watts points to the sometimes elusive element of chemistry as being key to success this season.
“Chemistry will be real important,” Watts said. “We have to have good team chemistry. When you lose a player like LaDontae, some people may feel they need to carry the load to replace the 28 points and 17 rebounds. LaDontae was a special player, and we have to remember that we are going to replace those points and rebounds by committee.”
Watts is also looking for an even tougher conference race this year with the addition of Sexton to a league that already includes Holt, Okemos, East Lansing, and Jackson.
“Our conference is one of the best conferences in the state from top to bottom,” Watts said. “There is not anybody that on any night cannot knock you off. You cannot take any nights off in this conference.”
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