After showing improvement on the basketball court last season, the Cornersville Bulldogs hope to continue that upward trend during the 2013-14 campaign under second-year coach Gerard Randolph.

Although the Bulldogs posted just a 5-21 record in Randolph's first year as head coach, Cornersville had won just a total of two games over the two previous seasons.

CHS also recorded four victories in District 11-A play during the 2012-13 campaign en route to finishing fifth in the league after notching only one win in conference play the last three years.

Big goals

Buoyed by the return of three starters, Randolph believes the Bulldogs have a chance to continue their ascent in the District standings.

"I want to compete each and every game. I want to win more District games than we did last year and I want to finish in the top half of the District," said Randolph.

After losing their top two post threats from last season in forward Hayden McMahon and center Jacob Griffis, the Bulldogs will rely on their guards to carry a greater share of the offensive load.

"We're going to be more guard oriented this year. We won't be as big, but we'll be quicker. I want to play more man-to-man defense and press more. I want to get up in people defensively," said Randolph.

Team leader

Junior point guard Tate Lowery is Cornersville's leading returning scorer and is considered the best all-around player on the team. Entering his third year as s starter, Lowery is an excellent ball handler and is adept at getting to the rim. He has also improved his outside shooting and developed into a solid defensive player.

"I want big things out of Tate this year, but people know he's going to be the guy so he's going to be double teamed more. He comes to practice early to work on his shooting and is usually the last person to leave," said Randolph.

Senior shooting guard Tyler Lowery also returns to the Bulldog backcourt. Possessing a great motor, Tyler Lowery plays with great energy and is a tenacious one-on-one defender, but is a streaky outside shooter as well and capable of getting hot from three-point range.

"Tyler plays extremely hard. He's not pretty, but he gets the job done and has great stamina. He makes a lot of hustle plays for us and has taken on more of a leadership role," said Randolph.

Returning starter

Junior guard Jamie Crowell also started for the Bulldogs last year, but suffered a dislocated elbow in his right arm during football season and will not be able to play until late November. When healthy, Crowell has a quick first step and is capable of beating opponents off the dribble along with being a strong defensive player and rebounder.

Junior Zack Smith and senior Jacob Reeves are expected to vie for starting spots in backcourt as well after both saw playing time last year as reserves. Smith has the potential to stretch the defense as a three-point shooter and possesses a nice midrange jumper, while Reeves is a good ball handler and has the ability to get to the basket.

"Jacob has worked hard in the offseason and wants to contribute. He can handle the basketball and we need him to take some of the pressure off of Tate," said Randolph.

Center

Junior David Looney will likely start at center for Cornersville. Despite being undersized for the position, Looney is willing to mix it up inside and has worked hard on developing his low post moves.

Junior Hunter Swinney will serve as Looney's backup in the post and has worked hard on improving his strength in the offseason.

After not playing last year, senior guards Brian Lowe and Stone Riner have decided to return to the program and both have a chance to contribute. Lowe is a dependable ball handler and a solid outside shooter, while Riner is a good one-on-one defender and is a very capable rebounder for his size.

"Brian has some potential and does a lot of things well. He just needs to get his stamina back," said Randolph. "Stone did well at camp this summer. He played smart and took what the defense gave him."

Backcourt help

Guards J.D. Crabtree and Michael Allen also have a chance to see playing time in the Bulldog backcourt this season. Crabtree is a solid defender, while Allen is a smart, gritty player.

Forwards Cody Caneer (Soph.), Austin Ridinger (Fr.), and Ben Taylor (Fr.) are working hard as well and hope to earn playing time down the road.

If the Bulldogs make as much progress as they did last season, they have a chance to finish in the top four in the District standings and earn a spot in the Region 6-A tournament for the first time since 2009.

Cornersville Bulldogs 2013-14 basketball roster

Number Name Class

1 Jamie Crowell Jr.

3 David Looney Jr.

5 Zack Smith Jr.

10 J.D. Crabtree Soph.

11 Cody Caneer Soph.

15 Brian Lowe Sr.

22 Stone Riner Sr.

23 Jacob Reeves Sr.

24 Austin Ridinger Fr.

30 Ben Taylor Fr.

31 Michael Allen Fr.

32 Tyler Lowery Sr.

33 Tate Lowery Jr.

42 Hunter Swinney Jr.

2013-14 Cornersville Basketball Schedule

Date Opponent Venue Time

Nov. 12 Fayetteville Home 6:00

Nov. 18 Eagleville Home 6:00

Nov. 19 Forrest Home 6:00

Nov. 22 Riverside Christian Home 6:00

Dec. 6 Columbia Academy Away 6:00

Dec. 10 Richland Away 6:00

Dec. 13 Culleoka Home 6:00

Dec. 17 Mt. Pleasant Home 6:00

Dec. 19 & 20 Community Christmas Classic Away TBA

Dec. 27 & 28 Richland Christmas Classic Away TBA

Jan. 3 Santa Fe Away 6:00

Jan. 7 Hampshire Away 6:00

Jan. 9 Huntland Home 6:00

Jan. 14 Columbia Academy Home 6:00

Jan. 17 Richland Home 6:00

Jan. 21 Culleoka Away 6:00

Jan. 23 Fayetteville Away 6:00

Jan. 24 Mt. Pleasant Away 6:00

Jan. 28 Santa Fe Home 6:00

Jan. 30 Moore County Away 6:00

Jan. 31 Hampshire Home 6:00

Feb. 3 Forrest Away 6:00

Feb. 4 Huntland Away 6:00

Feb. 10-18 District Tournament Away TBA

Feb. 21-25 Region Tournament Away TBA