THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 15, 1994 TAG: 9412140196
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE MICHAUX, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
Franklin High won it's first two games by scores of 88-47 and 79-63, both over Windsor, so why is coach James Jones hollering?
``I make notes on where they need to make improvements,'' Jones said. ``I know the kids are sitting there saying `We won by 40 points, why is he hollering?'''
Jones' theory is that wins such as the Broncos easy triumphs over Windsor don't help you improve.
``I am able to show them everything on film,'' Jones said. ``But the kids are more responsive to what you are saying if they have won by two or lost by four.''
Franklin took a 49-23 lead into the locker room in the season-opener against Windsor, which made for a lackluster second half.
``When you get up by a decent number of points, you lose the intensity,'' Jones said. ``We came out flat and made some mistakes and we just can't afford to do those things.
``It's much easier to coach when you've been in tough situations.''
That is why Jones makes sure the Broncos play some tough non-conference games before district play gets underway.
The Broncos will go up against Atlantic Shores and Norview in the Norview Classic this weekend in Norfolk.
Atlantic Shores gained three key transfers this season, including 6-foot-7 center Kenny Inge from First Colonial and 6-7 forward Damon Thornton from Granby. Guard Brandon Wynn joined the team from Great Bridge and adds a solid three-point threat.
Thornton opened his season with a 31-point performance and is averaging 19 points.
Norview doesn't have the size to match up with Franklin's Josh Freeman, 6-7, and Wade Williams, 6-6, but will try to make up for it with speed, which the Broncos aren't short of either.
Freeman tallied 17 points in the first game and grabbed 12 rebounds. Williams added 15 points and 18 rebounds in that game. But the Broncos are getting a lot help from junior guard Sydney Gainey as well. Gainey scored 16 points off the bench in the opener and led all scorers with 23 points in Monday's game.
Linwood Joyner sprained his ankle last week, but that didn't keep him from putting up 16 points Monday. Jones expects him to be at 85 to 90 percent on Friday.
Jones makes it a practice to get as many players involved in the scoring as possible and out-hustling the Broncos could be a problem for any team.
``I'm very proud of the kids hustling effort,'' Jones said. ``At any given time there would be two or three kids diving for a loose ball. Those are the sorts of intangibles that lead to being successful.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff file photo by CHRISTOPHER REDDICK
Franklin's Wade Williams, seen here in last year's state tournament,
is off to another good start.
by CNB