[Stardust]

Lafayette
Coach: Mike Mendenhall III, first year
Last season: 9-19 (lost to Lexington Catholic in district)
Top players: Jackson Davis (6-8 so.), Nick Trisko (6-8 jr.), Ethan Burlingham (6-8 jr.), Lance Blakely (6-1 so.), Charles Sweat-Washington (6-7 jr.), Tray Chester (6-3 jr.), Shon Wright (6-5 fr.)
Outlook: There are young teams and then there is Lafayette, which had no seniors on its pre-season roster. The Generals have lots of talent and size, however. Mendenhall said it's just a matter of when his team gains experience and confidence. "Our schedule is pretty brutal, so I'm going to put these guys in adverse situations and see how they handle it. We'll take some beatings early, but I expect by February we'll be where we need to be."
Davis, who first saw varsity action as a seventh-grader, averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds last season. He'll play several positions, but mostly be inside. "With his size and ability, he can dominate down low when he wants to," Mendenhall said.
Trisko (5 ppg, 4 rpg) must increase his production considerably. "He'll be called on to do a lot of stuff he hasn't done before," Mendenhall said. The same goes for Chester and Sweat-Washington, who'll get a late start because of football.
Burlingham's size and shooting touch will probably get him a starting job. Blakely will run the point. Robinson and Wright will provide depth. Lafayette's size will make it a strong rebounding team, but it will lack quickness. That'll keep Mendenhall from employing the full-court pressure he learned as a player and assistant at Lexington Catholic.
GENERALS' SCHEDULE
Dec. 3—Fleming Co., 7:30; 6—at Dunbar, 8; 8—Madison Central, 8; 10—West Carter, 7:30; 13—Tates Creek, 8; 19-22—iHigh Fayette County Invitational; 26-30—Republic Bank Holiday Classic at Lexington Catholic
Jan. 3—at Bryan Station, 8; 5—at Lexington Catholic, 7:30; 7—TBA in Dunkin' Donuts Shootout at Lexington Catholic; 13—LCA, 8; 17—at Tates Creek, 8; 18-21—Toyota Classic at Scott Co., TBA; 24—Dunbar, 8; 27—Henry Clay, 8; 31—at Franklin Co., 7:30
Feb. 2—Lexington Catholic, 8; 3—at LCA, 8; 7—Bryan Station, 8; 10—at Trinity, 8; 14—at Henry Clay, 8; 17—at Christian Academy of Louisville, 7:30


Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/11/27/19744...z1ev10a0cS

[Stardust]

[Image: http://media.kentucky.com/smedia/2011/11...uSt.79.jpg]

Junior Nick Trisko, left, and sophomore Jackson Davis, right, are part of a young, talented front line at Lafayette. Davis averaged 15 points last season

Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/11/27/19744...z1ev1BcatX