Gwinnett Daily Post

Lanier's Amber Cesair

LANIER LONGHORNS

BOYS

Region: 8-AAA

Coach: Jeremy Huckaby

2010-11 record: 5-21

Returning regulars:

None

Players to watch:

M.J. Bryant, Sr., 6-1

Jordan Davis, Jr., 6-1

Alton Holmes, Jr., 6-0

Andre Irvin, Jr., 6-1

Simon Shafack, Soph., 6-4

Paul Webb, Soph., 6-3

J.C. Williams, Jr., 6-3

Austin Woods, Sr., 6-4

Outlook: Jeremy Huckaby gets his first chance to head a boys team, moving over from the Lanier girls after Tony Watkins left to coach at Parkview. Huckaby was 76-38 in four seasons as Duluth girls coach, taking the Wildcats to the state tournament three times after a 32-year drought. Duluth reached the Class AAAAA Final Four in 2008. Jonathan Hemingway, who was the Duluth boys coach when Huckaby was there, comes to Lanier as an assistant.

Worth noting: Despite being a first-year school, Lanier played plenty of seniors last season and there isn't much experience coming back. Paul Webb and Simon Shafack did log minutes as freshmen last season, though. Austin Woods is the only senior who is back from last year, but M.J. Bryant will run things at point guard. Justice Bartley, who led the team with 6.9 rebounds per game a year ago, transferred to Buford. He had 13 rebounds and 11 points as the Longhorns gave Johnson a scare before losing 59-57 in the region tournament last season.

Roster

No. Name Ht. Class

3 Austin Westfall 5-9 Jr.

4 Paul Webb 6-3 Soph.

5 Zac Winzurk 6-3 Sr.

10 Bryceton Osborne 5-10 Soph.

11 Seth Spurlock 5-6 Jr.

12 Si Cham 6-0 Jr.

14 Andre Irvin 6-1 Jr.

20 Jordan Hodge 5-8 Jr.

21 Alton Holmes 6-0 Jr.

22 Jordan Davis 6-1 Jr.

23 Simon Shafack 6-4 Soph.

24 M.J. Bryant 6-1 Sr.

30 Austin Wood 6-4 Sr.

33 J.C. Williams 6-3 Jr.

GIRLS

Region: 8-AAA

Coach: David Palmer

2010-11 record: 1-26

Returning regulars:

Victoria Inman, Soph., 5-10

Amber Cesair, Soph., 5-2

Melanie Galvez, Jr., 5-3

Others to watch:

Shelby Threlkeld, Fr., 5-5

Aslee McElroy, Sr., 5-6

Jaylen Cruz, Soph., 5-6

Outlook: Lanier hopes to make major strides in its second season although the Longhorns are still a very young team. The returning players gained valuable experience last season. Victoria Inman started every game as a freshman a year ago and averaged seven rebounds per game. Amber Cesair was a freshman starter at point guard and Melanie Galvez was a regular as a sophomore. That trio will be aided this season by freshman Shelby Threlkeld, sophomore Jaylen Cruz and Aslee McElroy, the team's lone senior. Cruz is a transfer from Chicago. David Palmer takes over as coach, with Jeremy Huckaby switching to the boys.

Worth noting: After going winless in the regular season, Lanier defeated Monroe Area 44-39 to open the region tournament. Inman and Galvez each had nine points in that game and Inman also grabbed 12 rebounds.

Roster

No. Name Ht. Class

3 Shelby Threlkeld 5-5 Fr.

4 Jazmine Bingham 5-5 Fr.

5 Tamar Osborne 5-5 Fr.

10 Amber Cesair 5-2 Soph.

11 Victoria Inman 5-10 Soph.

14 Taylor-Rose Gibson-Green 5-5 Fr.

15 Malanie Galvez 5-3 Jr.

20 Alina Konovalova 5-10 Jr.

21 Meg Gregory 5-2 Soph.

22 Jaleria Rivera 5-4 Fr.

23 Raven Rhodes 5-6 Soph.

25 Kierra Chandler 5-7 Fr.

33 Aslee McElroy 5-6 Sr.

34 Jaylen Cruz 5-6 Soph.

SCHEDULE

Nov. 19 Chestatee

Nov. 21 Salem

Nov. 22 Lumpkin

Dec. 3 Northgate

Dec. 6 Walnut Grove

Dec. 9 at Lumpkin

Dec. 10 Gainesville

Dec. 12 Oglethorpe

Dec. 16 at Northgate

Dec. 19 Lumpkin

Dec. 28-30 Lanier Holiday Classic

Jan. 3 at N. Oconee

Jan. 6 at Monroe

Jan. 7 West Hall

Jan. 10 at Oconee

Jan. 17 Johnson

Jan. 21 Monroe

Jan. 24 at West Hall

Jan. 27 Oconee

Jan. 31 at Gainesville

Feb. 3 at Johnson

Feb. 7 at Walnut Grove