[Stardust]

Tates Creek
Coach: Wayne Breeden, fourth year (231-82 overall)
Last season: 24-5 (lost to Madison Central in region semifinals)
Top players: Darius Gibson (6-1 sr.), Braxton McFarland (6-4 jr.), Brian Tilford (6-0 sr.), DaiQuan Epps (6-0 sr.), Taylor Grimes (6-2 sr.) Jordan Fucci (6-4 fr.), Vincent Mattox (6-0 jr.), Evan Davis (6-2 so.), Landon Love (5-9 jr.), Blake Rose (5-8 so.)
Outlook: Losing all-staters Marcellus Barksdale and Ryan Fucci to graduation means Tates Creek will be in a rebuilding mode early this season. Breeden notes that 23 of his 30 players are sophomores and freshmen. "You've got to crawl before you walk, and we're still crawling," Breeden said. "Most of our players don't understand what varsity basketball is going to be like."
Gibson and McFarland are exceptions. Gibson started all 28 games last year, averaging 8 points and 3 rebounds. "He'll run the show for us," Breeden said. "He's very quick, an excellent defender, and can create and score off the dribble. We're looking for a great season from him."
McFarland (4 ppg, 3 rpg) is the best athlete on the team. "He's got all kinds of potential, and we're looking for him to play a more expanded role," Breeden said. Tilford will be counted on in the backcourt, along with Epps. Mattox and Davis will provide outside shooting. Love is quick and athletic. A lot will be expected from Jordan Fucci.
While brother Ryan was a guard, Jordan is an aggressive post player. "He's somebody that'll have to play well beyond his years," Breeden said. "The key to our success will be getting our freshman and sophomores to step up and play in probably the toughest district and toughest region, top to bottom, in the state."
COMMODORES' SCHEDULE
Nov. 28—at Bullitt East, 7:30
Dec. 1—Henry Clay in Mr. Basketball Classic at Tates Creek, 8; 2—Buckhorn in Mr. Basketball Classic, 6:30; 6—at LCA, 8; 9—Bryan Station, 8; 13—at Lafayette, 8; 17—at Woodford Co., 7:30; 19-22—iHigh Fayette County Invitational; 27-29—Gaslight Holiday Classic at Jeffersontown
Jan. 6—LCA, 8; 10—at Dunbar, 8; 13—at Lexington Catholic, 7:30; 17—Lafayette, 8; 20—at Clark Co., 7:30; 21—Henry Clay in Al Prewitt Classic, 7; 24—at Madison Central, 7:30; 27—Lexington Catholic, 8; 31—Madison Southern, 8
Feb. 3—Paul Dunbar, 8; 7—Franklin Co., 7:30; 9—at Bryan Station, 8; 13—Bardstown, 7:30; 17—Ryle, TBA


Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/11/27/19744...z1ev2LviXF