I think he’s going to be something special. “He is going to be pretty doggone special,” Latham said, repeating the prediction. King and Latham rave about Rozier, who will be running the show in place of Rashard Smith. “The competition we were getting in practice a lot of days,” Latham said, “was better than what we were getting in games We’ve got another thing coming for them.”Īnd practicing against the starters will improve a skill set. People think we’re not going to be anything. The Irish know the system, know the tradition and have already seen - against Butler and in a 24-1 summer ball season - what they’re capable of. What Dublin lacks in experience, it makes up for in confidence. “I was a little surprised we went down there and played Butler, a AAAA school and handled business pretty good,” Latham said of the team coached by former Southwest head coach Emmett Rouse. I’ve just been surprised how hard they’ve been working.”ĭublin scrimmaged Class AAAA Butler recently and won by 16 points. “After last year, the kids want that taste again. “The kids are really hungry,” Latham said. So while Dublin may not have as much starting experience back as a year ago, it has as much desire. The success started under former head coach Clinton Thomas has become the bar, and this group doesn’t have any worries about lowering it. The program may be to the point of reloading rather than rebuilding. Trey Rozier is the sophomore point guard, and Ricky Brown and Tyrus Miller are the only seniors other than King. “His whole game (all) around, the way he’s going to lead.” “People are going to be really surprised at what he’s going to do this year,” King said. Ramahd Thomas, a 6-2, 185-pound junior, is the other returning starter, and King said he’s a player to watch. “A lot of people want to put it on me, but it’s not on me,” he said. “We had kids on the bench that would be playing for other people, without a doubt.”ĭublin does have a focal point returning in Tawaski King, an athletic 6-8 senior who is a veteran of the Irish’s running game and is represented more than once or twice on Internet videos for his on-court exploits.īut the Western Carolina signee doesn’t feel the spotlight. They didn’t get to play because we had some kids in front of them that were pretty doggone special. “We have a lot of kids back that played a lot of minutes for us last year. “People think we’re totally empty,” Latham said. They are pretty sure they’ll be able to prove otherwise. But if anyone thinks the Irish have no bullets in the chamber, that suits them fine. So no, Dublin isn’t anywhere near as loaded as this time a year ago. There are but three seniors on the roster. The new point guard stands all of 5-foot-5 and is only a sophomore. Power forward Trent Barnes, guard Ladale Thompkins and forward Jermaine Devoe, all key players off the bench? Gone, gone, gone. Sherrard Brantley, the sharpshooting second-team All-Middle Georgia selection? Gone. Sure, basketball season is here, and there’s still that GHSA Class AA trophy to sneak a peak at every so often, and the memories of Dublin’s 31-1 season in 2008-9 will never die.īut Rashard Smith, the calm and complete point guard who was the All-Middle Georgia Boys Player of the Year and one of the top athletes in the state? Gone.Ĭhris Smith, the smooth guard with the inside-outside game? Gone. LOUGH - Why is Marvin Latham smiling so much? The Irish will face North Atlanta on Saturday, Dec 26th at 5:30 pm at the Palace in Irwinton.īy MICHAEL A. The Irish will play this weekend in the Wilkinson County Holiday Tip-Off Invitational.
Cedric O'neal continued his superb play by contributing 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assist and 2 steals in the win. Tawaski King added 17 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assist, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot. The Irish were led by Ramahd Thomas with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assist and 3 steals. The Dublin Fighting Irish won the Macon County Holiday Classic with a 59 to 42 win over Americus-Sumter. Cedric O'neal stayed in the chase as he recorded 17 points, 4 rebounds, an assist and 4 steals. He was followed closely by Tawaski King who scored 18 points with 12 rebounds, 2 assist and 3 steals. The Irish were led by Ramahd Thomas with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assist. The Dublin Fighting Irish won their first round game of the Macon County Holiday Classic Tournament against the Peach County Trojans in commanding fashion.