By By SCOTT COOPER - Sports Writer
As they hit the court this weekend for the 2002-03 season opener against Pensacola Christian College, the Jefferson Davis Warhawks will be fielding a group of players that coaches expected will mold into a team capable of competing for the Region 22 title.
The Warhawks play a non-conference schedule during the months of November and December in preparation for regional competition that begins in January.
With seven players returning from last season's squad, along with a couple of highly-touted newcomers, JDCC has the makings of one of its best teams in several years.
Among those returning is former T.R. Miller standout Logan Lucas, a 6'3" shooting guard who was the leading scorer for the Warhawks last season. Others with experience expected to make major contributions are Damion Matthews, a 6'6" forward from Tallassee; Rafael Phillips, a 6'3" forward from Mobile; Jeff Foster, a 6'2" guard from Birmingham; Corey Holt, a 6'4" guard/forward from Thomaston; Bret Alford, a 6'5" forward from Ponce de Leon, Fla.; and James Gennaro, a 6'6" center from Crestview, Fla.
The Warhawks should also benefit from the skills of several incoming freshmen. Among those are 6'2" guard Ephraim Hudson, the Montgomery-area high school player-of-the-year last season and 6'3" forward Kenny Thompson, a Pensacola all-metro selection as a high school senior.
JDCC head coach Allen Gainer, who is entering his fifth year at the helm of the Warhawks, expressed optimism as his team embarks on the current season.