UTC’s Casey Jones takes a shot as Covenant’s Connor Sears tries to block Friday, Nov. 4, 2016 at McKenzie Arena.The first shot needed to go in.
It did for Casey Jones.
And with that, almost 11 months of rust started to go away for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga senior basketball player.
Jones finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and four steals Friday in the Mocs’ 76-43 exhibition victory over NCAA Division III visitor Covenant College.
It was his first action since an ankle injury ended what was to be his senior season in a Dec. 11 practice, the day before the team won at Dayton last year.
So it was fitting that UTC’s first basket Friday was a 3-pointer by the 6-foot-5 Jones on the game’s first possession.
“It definitely killed the doubt in my head,” he said postgame. “The first one went in, so I felt like the next 25 might go in.
“It felt good for the first one to fall.”
The next 25 didn’t go in. In fact, after making his first two shots, Jones finished 5-for-10 with five turnovers while playing 24 minutes in trying to get back into game action.
He’s been eased back into action in scrimmages and practices, prepping most of the offseason at the small forward spot but shifting to power forward, where he played most of his minutes before his injury last season, after a knee injury sidelined Chuck Ester indefinitely.
UTC’s opening game Friday night at Tennessee will provide a different challenge.
“It’s pretty much like any other opponent,” Jones said. “We’re ready to get back in the gym and prepare ourselves. It’s a mindset thing to go out there regardless of the opponent and be excited to play, being positive and have the enthusiasm to get better.”
UTC coach Matt McCall said power forward is “more of a natural position” for Jones.
“It’s been a long time since he’s put a jersey on and played in a game-like setting,” McCall said. “You can see he’s still a step away from where he needs to be, but I thought he played the game the right way. He missed some bunnies in and around the basket, but he goes out there for his first game back, plays 24 minutes, scores 12 points and grabs seven rebounds.”
At the time of his injury early last season, Jones was leading the team in scoring (12.6), rebounding (6.5) and assists (3.9). Tre’ McLean was one of the players who stepped into Jones’ role, ultimately leading the Mocs in scoring, rebounding and steals and ranking second in assists and blocks.
“He’s like my brother,” McLean said. “I have a lot of love for that dude. For him to be out here, it’s great that I can play another year with him and get better together.”
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.