JSU'S STARTING FRESHMAN CENTER #44
I'm so proud of my son. Look at the article in the Clarion Ledger:
Masked marvel Caldwell fills big need
By Mark Alexander
malexander@clarionledger.com
Caldwell
Jeremy Caldwell is sporting a mask these days during practice and games to protect a broken nose sustained in the sixth game of the season.
Mask or no mask, there's no hiding for the Jackson State center, who has been thrust into the starting lineup as a freshman not only because he's talented but also out of necessity.
JSU's starting center a year ago, Kelly Ross, graduated. And, early signee Eric McKinney, a 6-foot-7 forward from Waldo (Ark.) High who was expected to play some center, opted to go to prep school instead.
That left the guard-laden Tigers will a gaping hole in the middle, one Caldwell has aptly stepped into.
The former Murrah standout will make his eighth consecutive start tonight when JSU (5-8, 1-0 SWAC) hosts Alabama State (2-10, 0-1) at the Athletics and Assembly Center.
"Jeremy has done a good job," third-year JSU coach Tevester Anderson said. "He's about where we expected him to be at this point. He would probably be a little further ahead if not for the setbacks."
Those setbacks include sitting out JSU's two exhibition games and first two regular season games while awaiting academic clearance from the NCAA, breaking his nose against Stephen F. Austin and, most recently, twisting his ankle.
Still, Caldwell presses on. Mask and all.
"I'm just taking everything in stride," Caldwell said. "It's not that big of a deal, really. I knew coming in I was going to have a lot of weight on me, so I worked hard this summer and prepared for it.
"I'm glad I'm playing early on," Caldwell continued. "I think it's only going to help me later on during my career."
Caldwell, a first-team All-Metro selection a year ago after helping lead Murrah to a 31-7 record and Class 5A state championship, is averaging 4.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 21 minutes per game.
In Monday's win over reigning SWAC champion Alabama A&M, Caldwell scored eight points on 4 of 6 shooting, grabbed six rebounds and dished out one nifty assist.
Those numbers don't exactly jump off the stat sheet, but there's no underestimating Caldwell's importance to JSU's success. At 6 feet 9, he gives the Tigers a presence in the middle on both ends of the floor that otherwise wouldn't be there.
"We need him," said Trey Johnson, the team's leading scorer. "He's a big part of our team.
"He's played a lot better than most freshmen could have," Johnson continued. "To come in and step in right away, to be thrown into the fire, and perform the way he has, you can't ask for much more. And he's only going to get better. He's learning more and more about basketball every day."
Caldwell, at times, has shown some good inside moves. And, he's capable of stepping out and knocking down jumpers from 16-18 feet. But defense, not offense, could be where he's needed most this season.
"I'm not so much worried about offense," Caldwell said. "We've got Trey (Johnson) and some of the other guys who can take care of that. I'm more focused on rebounding and blocking shots. That's what this team needs out of me."
Masked marvel Caldwell fills big need
By Mark Alexander
malexander@clarionledger.com
Caldwell
Jeremy Caldwell is sporting a mask these days during practice and games to protect a broken nose sustained in the sixth game of the season.
Mask or no mask, there's no hiding for the Jackson State center, who has been thrust into the starting lineup as a freshman not only because he's talented but also out of necessity.
JSU's starting center a year ago, Kelly Ross, graduated. And, early signee Eric McKinney, a 6-foot-7 forward from Waldo (Ark.) High who was expected to play some center, opted to go to prep school instead.
That left the guard-laden Tigers will a gaping hole in the middle, one Caldwell has aptly stepped into.
The former Murrah standout will make his eighth consecutive start tonight when JSU (5-8, 1-0 SWAC) hosts Alabama State (2-10, 0-1) at the Athletics and Assembly Center.
"Jeremy has done a good job," third-year JSU coach Tevester Anderson said. "He's about where we expected him to be at this point. He would probably be a little further ahead if not for the setbacks."
Those setbacks include sitting out JSU's two exhibition games and first two regular season games while awaiting academic clearance from the NCAA, breaking his nose against Stephen F. Austin and, most recently, twisting his ankle.
Still, Caldwell presses on. Mask and all.
"I'm just taking everything in stride," Caldwell said. "It's not that big of a deal, really. I knew coming in I was going to have a lot of weight on me, so I worked hard this summer and prepared for it.
"I'm glad I'm playing early on," Caldwell continued. "I think it's only going to help me later on during my career."
Caldwell, a first-team All-Metro selection a year ago after helping lead Murrah to a 31-7 record and Class 5A state championship, is averaging 4.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 21 minutes per game.
In Monday's win over reigning SWAC champion Alabama A&M, Caldwell scored eight points on 4 of 6 shooting, grabbed six rebounds and dished out one nifty assist.
Those numbers don't exactly jump off the stat sheet, but there's no underestimating Caldwell's importance to JSU's success. At 6 feet 9, he gives the Tigers a presence in the middle on both ends of the floor that otherwise wouldn't be there.
"We need him," said Trey Johnson, the team's leading scorer. "He's a big part of our team.
"He's played a lot better than most freshmen could have," Johnson continued. "To come in and step in right away, to be thrown into the fire, and perform the way he has, you can't ask for much more. And he's only going to get better. He's learning more and more about basketball every day."
Caldwell, at times, has shown some good inside moves. And, he's capable of stepping out and knocking down jumpers from 16-18 feet. But defense, not offense, could be where he's needed most this season.
"I'm not so much worried about offense," Caldwell said. "We've got Trey (Johnson) and some of the other guys who can take care of that. I'm more focused on rebounding and blocking shots. That's what this team needs out of me."
Awesome, look forward to hearing much more!