for Progress Tournament

By STEVEN G. WATSON

Sports Editor

It’s one of the biggest tournaments of the year and the Charles Henderson High School Trojans have an invitation.

The first round of the 16-team Dothan Progress Holiday Prep Classic won’t be an easy one for the Trojans. Not only will CHHS head coach Carl Hollis have to face off against his old school where he was a star himself, but also against a surprise star in sophomore Curtis Reynolds who comes into the game with a very hot hand.

Reynolds hit 10 3-pointers in Headland High’s game against Rehobeth. On the night the 6-foot guard had a whopping 44 points and anytime you rack up numbers like that you are bound to draw attention to yourself.

No one hits 10 treys every game, but to have a chance against the Rams Hollis knows that his team will have to put forth a great defensive effort.

"We’re going to have to work real hard to shut him down and play better defense all over the court," Hollis said. "We beat them last year by about 25 points, but we’re going to see a different ball club this year."

Besides the emergance of Reynolds as an outside threat, the Rams feature some strength on the inside with big man Michael Ward working for them down low. HHS head coach Emaunuel Davis likes to go to the big man and Hollis hopes stopping him will be a key.

"He’s an inside guy, about 6-foot-6 so we’re going to have to work hard to keep the ball out of his hands," Hollis said. "That looks like where the coach is going every time."

Other teams in the Trojans’ bracket include Rehobeth and Northview with the winner of the four-team matchup to face the eventual winner of an Enterprise, Abbeville, Daleville and Andalusia mix. Tipoff is 6 p.m. at the Civic Center in Dothan.