Sweet 16 Preview: Calloway County Lakers

Calloway County (29-3)

Calloway County- 4th District Champion, defeated Murray in OT, 49-45.

Regional defeated St. Mary 61-46, defeated Carlisle County 61-25, defeated Murray 48-35

Previous State tournament Games:

2003 Lost to Warren Central 70-47

Summary of the Lakers:

The Lakers are led by KABC POY Parker Adams at 17.7 PPG. The play of Skyler Hunter in the paint has been huge for the Lakers on the defensive end. Hunter is one of the best three point shooters in the area at 43.8%. He is a match-up problems for opposing teams. Not many 6’7 can step out and hit the three as consistently as Hunter can. Conner Wagner is averaging 11 a game and gives a solid third option. He shoots 41.6% from threes. As a team, Calloway shoots 42 from the three point line making them a very tough team to defend. The team is ran by PG Wade Carter. He is a steady playmaker but capable of scoring as well. He puts in 8 a game. Rounding out the rotation is Clay Smotherman and Hunter Smith. Smotherman is a defense star and usually is assigned the task of chasing the top players. He can knock down the three as well. These six seniors have been waiting for this year since their freshman year. If the Lakers get in foul trouble they will have major problems. Rarely was 7th man Will Sivells called on to play and they hardly ever went beyond him on the bench.

Calloway is a team that likes to slow the tempo to a crawl at times. They can run at times but feel much more comfortable with a slow pace. They run multiple sets to get a very good shot and not just an average shot. That is a main reason why they shoot such a high percentage. As a team they shoot 42% from threes and over 50% overall. They are solid at the FT line as well shooting 70.5%. Their sets are not for 3’s but for solid looks at the rim or isolations. They get most of their 3s from penetration and kick outs. On the defensive side they are solid. They pack it in and make the offense take tough contested shots. They play all man and no zone. I’ve watched them several times this year and have not seen them press at all.

Calloway is not a team that will not look impressive but their style of play keeps them in games against good competition.