SATURDAY-SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27-28, 2021 PAGE 9
WWW.ELIZABETHTON.COM
2021-2022 Hampton Bulldogs
Bulldogs to rely on depth and experience BY IVAN SANDERS STAR SPORTS EDITOR ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
W
hen a team plays the Hampton Bulldogs, they know what they are getting in a Coach Ned Smith-led team and it won’t be any different this season as Smith hopes to take advantage of the returning experience that is often not afforded to smaller schools. “We have six seniors this year so we have a little bit more experience,” Smith said. “We only had three last year. We are excited this year because having six seniors for a small school is big for us. “We also have some younger guys that have really worked hard to in Cadon Buckles and Hayden Campbell in the off season.”
Smith loves defense as much or more than offense and Bulldog teams are known for their tenacious play. Smith feels that this year’s team has some great qualities about them on and off the court. “This is a great bunch of guys who are fun to work with,” he said. “You can take these guys anywhere and they know how to behave.” Smith will be looking to play an up tempo style of basketball - pressing on defense and pushing the ball up the floor with his quick guard line up. He believes that on any given night eight to 10 players could see action especially in the tough league that the Watauga Valley Conference poises for this season. “I think that the league is up for grabs,” Smith said. “We think each school has their own unique home-court advantage and I
think it will come down to that and in who will be able to steal a couple of wins on the road. “U-H has the big floor that is different from the small schools. And then you have the small schools who have the loud crowds on the floor with you.” Two road blocks always seem to come up yearly for the Bulldogs in their quest for a state berth in district foe North Greene and regional foe Cosby as the Eagles managed to sneak out a heartbreaking win in the 2021 regional final to squash the ‘Dogs hopes of going to Murfreesboro. “North Greene is really good and Cosby is going to shoot it and shoot it deep,” Smith said. “We have to go to work and outwork them this year. Coming in second and having to go on the road makes it hard to have to dig out of.”
Ned Smith Head Coach
