Head coach: Cedric Anderson (4th season)
Last season: 19-7, lost to Webb School in sub-state
Starters lost: 2
Starters returning: 3
Players to watch: G Alex Anderson, G Cameron Dunnigan, G Tyler Byrd, F Ethan Stewart
Alex Anderson had to do a lot last season
The 6-7 senior combo guard who has signed with D-I South Alabama was the focus of all of Rosemark’s opponents last season and he will be again this season for sure.
Head coach Cedric Anderson, who happens to be Alex’s father, knows that will be the case again this season, but he believes Alex is progressing as a player and will be surrounded by more talent this season.
His stat line of 25 points, 15 rebounds and five assists per game were among the state’s best.
“He wants to take that next step,” the coach said. “He wants to lead the team and be a more balanced player. Last year he had to force a lot of offense, but this year I don’t think he’ll have to.”
The evolution of senior point guard Cameron Dunnigan should take some of the pressure off Anderson, as will the addition of 6-3 junior shooting guard Tyler Byrd, a transfer from Memphis Central.
Byrd scored 20 points in a season-opening win vs. St. Benedict.
“He can play,” Anderson said.
Other key players expected to contribute this season include junior shooting guard Thano Sinis and sophomore point guard Will Hughes.
A year after advancing to the state title game, Rosemark lost in the first round of the sub-state last season. The Rebels finished fourth in their league in the regular season, which made their road to Nashville much tougher. All three teams that finished ahead of Rosemark in the regular season made it to the state tournament.
Anderson said winning the regular season league title is one of the team’s goals this year, but he knows it won’t be easy. Having a team with so much recent success means teams will be gunning for you.
“It’s easy when you’re hunting, but now we’re the hunted,” Anderson said. “We have to understand that.”
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