First of all thanks to Duncanville High School, the coaching staff and players for having me in their gym. City of Champions. This is one of the many signs and accomplishments in their gym. The lady Pantherettes are a powerhouse too as is the football team. I was able to watch a boys basketball practice on October 2nd. Here are some of the highlights and the talent:
It starts with Head Coach David Peavy. Yes Duncanville won state titles before he took over. He has taken the program to another level. A national title. Four straight state titles. national coach of the year for 2020-2021 season. He's the best coach I've ever seen in teaching defense and defensive principles. If there's one thing his teams will have it's a good defense. The team was doing drills I haven't seen before but I saw the purpose of them. Duncanville gets a lot of deflectons in their games. The players know where to go and what to do. No wasted motion in their practice sessions. They go from station to station fast, quick, and with a purpose. Coach Peavy will stop practice when he needs to so he can correct a player. No wasted motion, no wasted time in practice. It's run with precision. It starts with him and all the assistant coaches get the credit too for this.
WINNING MENTALITY: It's championship or bust here. Nothing else is acceptable in this program. You can tell by the way they practice which is with a purpose. No shortcuts here are acceptable. That includes the classroom, if you are not doing the job there, consequences are in order. The players are challenged in every way in this gym. The practice this day was in a gym called "The box". This team is size chalenged this year, but they have won state titles with teams like this in the past. Most of the practice is predicated on defense, but they run on offense and will take a lot of three point shots. I would not be surprised if this team wins the Texas Class 6A Title again this year.
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND YOUTH: Experience starts with TCU commit senior combo guard Kayden "Bugg" Edwards. the lefty can shoot threes from the parking lot. The unusual thing with Edwards is though he's a long range sniper, his shot selection is excellent. He can get to the rim and score at the tin with his quickness. Of course he has lock down defense and makes things miserable for other guards.
YOUTH BUT EXPERIENCED: Two sophomore guards Beckham Black and Christopher "Duece" Hunt Jr have over 30 games of varsity experience as freshman. Black made the starting lineup early in his freshman year. He's the floor general. Younger brother of former first round draft pick (6th overall in 2023 by Orlando Magic) Anthony Black, his game is similar. At 6'2" they invert him to post up vs smaller guards on the block. He has an improved outside shot from three. Can shoot it from many spots on the floor. Gets in the lane for a nice mid range floater. Once again he locks down on defense on the ball and in the passing lanes. Hunt Jr is a high riser at 6'1" and a combo guard, the lefty can knock down three pointers. He can get on a hot streak of hitting them in bunches. King of Bounce can dunk on players either one or two handed.
X-FACTOR: Cam Smith is a 6'7" senior wing who has guard skills and game is mostly on the perimeter. Lefty knocks down threes at a high rate, and can pull other bigs out in mismatches on the perimeter. He's the X factor because he's the tallest player on the team. He'll have to guard inside players, some that love to post up on the block. He's going to have to hit the glass especially on the defensive end of the court. He's going to have to use his quickness and get deflections on defense to be effective for the Panthers. Younger brother of NBA player Tyler Smith (2nd round 33rd overall in 2024 by Milwaukee Bucks).
CONCLUSION: Duncanville is sized challenged but still a threat. They won't be counted out for a Texas Class 6A State Title. Talent and some experience will make them a problem. Excellent coaching, good defensive principles, and of course talent though it's mostly guard and wing talent. Championship mentality will make them keep fighting. Also hungry after an early exit from the Texas Class 6A playoffs last year after winning four straight titles. They have two players in the NBA right now, Anthony Black, and Ronald Holland II. I'll be checking you guys out from Illinois. Thanks again for having me in your gym.
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