New-look Deer Lakes boys basketball embraces challenge

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, November 24, 2017 | 11:15 PM

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Deer Lakes boys basketball coach Terence Parham enters his third year facing a roster makeup he has never seen before.

After graduating eight seniors from the previous season, he sports a roster with seven seniors. It might seem like an experienced roster to the casual observer, but there's more than meets the eye with the Lancers. Parham faces the tall task of replacing those eight seniors that includes his two leading scorers from last season in Noah Darsie (13 points per game) and Alex Nichols (12).

“This year's team won't go down as my most athletic, but I think this will be one of my prettiest teams,” Parham said. “They're tough group of kids, and smart and pretty close on and off the court. They're not proven as a unit on the varsity level. They had a lot of success as a junior varsity group. It's a new challenge for them on the varsity level, but one they've embraced with open arms.”

The Lancers finished last season 12-11 overall and 6-6 in Section 1-4A play. They made the playoffs but exited in the first round with a loss to Belle Vernon. The goal for Parham is simple: win a playoff game, something Deer Lakes hasn't done since 1985.

Senior point guard Jake Kelly is the only true returning starter. He is expected to pace the Lancers offensively. Kelly, who can provide an emotional spark according to Parham, averaged 8.0 points a game last season.

“He's doing a good job of keeping other guys in the game,” Parham said. “He's really taking the lead in helping the young players. He knows all five positions. I'm fortunate.”

Whether it's being a distributor or a scorer, it doesn't matter to Kelly. He's ready to answer the challenge.

“I'm a person who likes to spread the floor,” he said. “My freshman year, I led the team in scoring and I wasn't a point guard. Last year was different for me because I adapted to the role of point guard. I like it because I'm in control and calling plays. If I'm not hitting my shot, I'll look to distribute. But if I'm on, I'm going to call for the ball.”

Joining Kelly as offensive contributors will be juniors Jared Colton and Brad Perrotte.

Colton will be expected to pick up his defensive game this season, according to Parham.

“I ride him a lot,” Parham said. “He has to learn to go hard all the time. He's gotten away with it as a freshman and even last year a little bit with getting away with athletic ability. He doesn't push hard all four quarters. He knows now that he has to push hard, or he won't be on the court. He has a nice shot and finish. It's getting him to buy in to being a great defender.

“If we can get him to do that, we are going to be that much better of a team.”

Perrotte, a senior, has a high motor and has improved his shot from last season. Keeping him healthy is the key, according to Parham.

Parham has another goal for the season, a goal he wants accomplished sooner rather than later. If he can eliminate selfishness, he believes the team will have an easier time coming together and playing as a team.

Deer Lakes opens the season Dec. 8 at Armstrong for a Tip-Off Tournament.

D.J. Vasil is a freelance writer.

Tags: Deer Lakes