Delta C-7 boys basketball program hopes to benefit from balanced roster

Photo by Dustin Ward, staff
Delta C-7's Ka'ran Luster (front) battles for a rebound with Kennett's Marsayv'aun Harrell at the 2019 Gideon Invitational.

Editor's Note: A team photo was not available to run with the story because the team is currently conducting virtual practices.

The Delta C-7 Chargers boys basketball program enters its 2020-21 campaign with a balanced group of guards and forwards with previous varsity experience.

“We are looking to have a three-guard lineup with two big guys inside,” Delta C-7 coach Ty’re Washington said. “We will probably go about seven deep depending on how hard the guys are willing to work.”

Delta C-7 has 13 varsity players and six junior varsity players in its high school program.

“We have high hopes,” Washington said. “We are bringing back one of the leading scorers in the conference - Ky’ran Luster. We are looking for some senior leadership out of him. We also had a good core on our junior varsity team that won a conference championship last season. Those guys will be moving up as well, so hopefully with those guys and our returning seniors we will be able to make some noise.”

The four returning varsity starters are senior Ky’ran Luster, senior Levi Smith, junior Maurion Hattiex, and junior Jacob Johnson.

Washington expects Luster and Johnson to anchor the offense as guards.

“Ky'ran Luster is a freak athlete that can do it all,” Washington said. “He’s got hops, can shoot it, and drives to the basket well. Plus he’s not afraid of contact when going to the rim.

“Jacob Johnson is a guard that can do everything,” Washington continued. “He may be our best overall player. He has athletic, works hard, and has a good basketball IQ.”

Hattiex is projected to be one of the top defenders for the Chargers.

“Maurion Hattiex will be our lockdown defender,” Washington said. “We want him to guard the other player’s best offensive player every night."

Levi Smith is projected to a be a force down low as the Chargers’ starting power forward.

“Levi Smith is a big man who has come a long way,” Washington said. “He’s toughened up and put on some size. We hope he is a dominant post player in the paint for us.”

Sophomore Jacob Miller is expected to serve as the center in his first full season of varsity play.

“Jacob has grown about four inches during the COVID-19 outbreak,” Washington said. “He’s big and strong and can dunk the basketball. He will be a really solid post player for us.”

Delta C-7 was conducting virtual basketball practices on Google Classroom when Washington spoke to Delta Dunklin Democrat by phone on Nov. 18. Delta C-7 is scheduled to open its season at the Gideon Invitational. No. 8 seeded Delta C-7 is slated to play No. 1 seeded Hayti Nov. 30 at 6 p.m.

“We have high hopes we are going to have a season,” Washington said. “But if it went anything like our junior high season there is no telling how crazy things could get.”

Delta C-7 Boys Basketball Schedule