Dade expects even more

TRENTON, Ga. -- There's a different attitude in the gym at Dade County High School on this mid-November afternoon.

A steady stream of players stroll in and out of coach Glen Hicks' cramped office as the tape of Tuesday night's 40-point scrimmage win over Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe plays on the television. Except for the team's new Marquette-style uniforms, the tape could have been made at any point last year. There was guard Andrew Houts popping in a 3-pointer, backcourt mate Travis Core racking up another assist and the physically demanding breakneck pace.

It may have been a preseason scrimmage, but what stood out already was the confidence displayed by a team that reached new heights last year in making the Class AA state quarterfinals. Hicks wants his team to act now like they've been there as the new season tips off with increased expectations.

"Our kids just have so much confidence right now," Hicks said. "I talk to the kids all the time about walking around with a swagger -- not being cocky, but having confidence in yourself. It's such a carryover from what we accomplished last year. The offseason has been so much easier, and it's really been fun."

Of course, having the reigning All-North Georgia Player of the Year in Houts and another all-star in Core in the backcourt can breed confidence. Houts averaged 25.8 points, 2.6 assists and 3.8 steals per game as a junior, while Core scored 14.5 per game as a sophomore and led the Chattanooga area with 8.3 assists and 4.9 steals a game.

Hicks believes each will accomplish more this year.

"I think we've got the two best players in north Georgia here," he said. "I wouldn't trade them for anyone. They're both mature beyond their years. We probably put more on their shoulders than we should, but we wouldn't do it if they couldn't handle it. They will be completely different players than what we saw last year. They both knew what they needed to work on and they did, and now they're more complete players."

The loss of center Jesse Moore to graduation will put even more emphasis on the backcourt, but the two aren't too concerned. Having grown up together on the basketball court, the two know what each other is capable of accomplishing.

"We've been playing together since we were toddlers," said Houts, who no longer is just the little brother of University of Georgia star Ashley Houts. "I know his game inside out, and he knows mine. I know what he's about to do to a defender, and I'm sure it's the same for him. I wouldn't choose another partner. It's almost like it's my sister out there."

Added Core: "We complement each other very well. I'm a slasher and he's a shooter. I guess it comes from playing in the back yard growing up as kids when we were neighbors and playing against each other all the time."

The two admit getting this year's team to mesh as well as last year's will be the key to another long playoff run. With experienced players such as guard Jake Bell and forwards Ben Patton and Taylor Mai back, the team should pick up right where it left off.

"Last year we were still trying to find our identity at this time of the year," Core said. "We didn't really know how good we were. This year, the five coming back know what to do in certain situations that we didn't know to do last year."

Said Hicks: "The key really is team chemistry. Last year's chemistry was unreal. They knew what their roles were and they worked hard at them. To me, getting that is about having good kids and never thinking we're so good we can't be beat. In our system we play just fast enough to get embarrassed if we don't show up ready to play. With this team, though, I think they'll be ready."

Teams to watch

1. Dade County: The Wolverines play at a frenetic pace few teams can match and have the backcourt to make it work.

2. Ridgeland: The Panthers lost several key players from last year's state tournament team but still will be the most athletic team in the area.

3. LaFayette: Coach Tommy Swanson takes over an underachieving, athletic team that could be the area's biggest surprise.

Players to watch

1. Andrew Houts, Dade County: The senior guard is deadly anywhere inside 30 feet, and he's worked hard to increase his ability off the dribble.

2. Dewuan Harrison, Ridgeland: The senior guard should improve greatly on averages of 12 points and seven rebounds from last year.

3. Travis Core, Dade County: Coach Glen Hicks calls the junior the best pure point guard he's coached, and he's added an improved 3-point shot this year.