McCallie's new confidence shows in 85-67 win

For most observers Tuesday at Tyner, the McCallie basketball team did not look like the same team that walked on a basketball court a year ago.

There was a different style -- a fast-paced approach that coach Dan Wadley has implemented this year. There was a swagger, one that indicated a newfound confidence in the Blue Tornado.

There also were numerous different faces.

Blended together, the Blue Tornado cruised to an 85-67 TSSAA Hall of Fame victory over the Rams, further promoting the prospects for a team that won only nine games last season.

"It's a total team effort," Wadley said. "We play about nine or 10 guys and split the playing time about even. They know there are no set starters. I thought we wore Tyner out tonight; we were shuffling fresh guys in every three minutes, which our guys love because they know they're going to play. Our motto is 'Iron sharpens iron.'"

The Tornado enter the season with the top sophomore shooting guard in the nation according to Scout.com -- 6-foot-4 Jordan Price -- and the top-ranked freshman in the state (6-foot-7 Terrence O'Donohue). Both hail from Atlanta. Cleveland native Jamaal Calvin, ranked as the No. 6 freshman in Tennessee, did not dress although Wadley admitted "there is a spot for him."

Price finished with 12 points after scoring seven of the first nine McCallie points. O'Donohue had seven points, including five in the first quarter.

Jay Meacham, who was ineligible last season, chipped in eight points.

"I'm pleased with how they've blended in," Wadley said. "We're learning to play together. What I think you saw out there was that when the new guys got into foul trouble, others stepped up. They've come in and have pushed us to the next level; in turn, it's up to us to push them to the next."

The Tornado returned sweet-shooting Chad Lee, who led them with 25 points Tuesday. Lee had 16 in the fourth quarter, including 11 consecutive. Cordell James, Matt Harris and Garrett Hicks combined to score 23 points.

"We have some guys that played last year that have grown up," Wadley said.

It's no wonder that the word "potential" is being tossed around the McCallie campus.

"We do have the potential to be a good team," Wadley said, before adding, "I have a good friend that says that 'potential' means you haven't done anything.

"We have a lot to prove between now and March 6. The state championship game is where we want to be."