Bulldogs seek identity after loss of James

Bulldogs reload behind Brown, Lamb, Boney, Scarborough

TEACHEY – When one of the best players in a school’s recent history graduates, moving forward can be difficult. Wallace-Rose Hill’s rebuild following the loss of Jalen James – two-time Player of the Year in Duplin County – is without a doubt a challenge. The ’Dawgs also graduated Josh Love, also a firstteam player on Duplin’s Elite all-county team. But head coach Ervin Murray, who guided WRH to a 2A state title in 1998, is enthusiastically working with the latest talent pool to build a team. “They’re a good group to coach and we should be decent, but right now there are a lot of unknowns, and we are finding our personality,” said Murray, who has captured Duplin’s top coach award the previous two seasons and shared it another time. “I don’t know how the new kids will show up in a game setting.” Brown, Lamb bring speed Two returnees — Irving Brown and Jamarae Lamb — from last season’s 12-10 club are somewhat known quantities, though both may be more famous as running backs. While both were honorable mention selections the combined athletic talent and maturity of both is invaluable to WRH this season. Brown rarely made a mistake and did a little bit of everything – score, rebound, play defense. “He’s a heck of an athlete,” said Murray of the junior who has rushed for more than 3,200 yards in two seasons. “He slashes and runs the floor and is strong and fast. We need his intangibles and scoring in transition.” Lamb’s freshman season put a twinkle in the eyes of his coach, who played four seasons at Wake Forest and started on the Deacons’ NIT finalist as a junior. “No doubt he had a good football season and he had a great freshman season,” Murray said. “He’s an athlete who has worked on his shooting and has a better understanding of how fast and hard you have to play to win. But, yes, he can fly.” Boney, Scarborough provide leadership Seniors Ja’Corey Boney and Ka’Shawn Scarborough will be counted on big-time. “Ja’Corey had a good pre-season, and is an active and a much-improved shooter,” Murray said. “We need his defense and leadership. “Scarborough is pretty healthy and versatile. He rebounds well and can step out and shoot a 3 and knock down mid-range shots. We need his fire, and also his leadership.” Sophomore Matthew Wells got a fair share of playing time last season, and will play a bigger role, especially when he’s called on to hit a long-range bomb. “He’s gotten stronger and should know what to expect now,” Murray said. “He’s been shooting the ball very well.” Devon Sloan, a sophomore coming off a solid football season, will be asked to step up. “We need him to take stuff from practice to the game,” Murray said. “He finished the year off pretty well last season.” Junior Jerard, who Murray calls, “a hustler and a willing worker,” also has an iron in the firepower of WRH. Classmates Jamari Shaw, Dexter Moses, Khalil Mathis and Marlo Harris hope to make contributions. WRH won’t have a tall team, so rebounding is an issue again this season” said the coach. “But the athletes are on the roster who can use talent and technique on the glass and defensively. “We can be as good as we want to be,” Murray said. “A level of commitment has must be there. Basketball is a skill sport, so that has to be worked on. And it’s also a team sport. “We gave a lot of players game-time experience last year, which can be hard when you’re trying to win.”