BY CHRIS O’DELL, codell@acnpapers.com
Published: Saturday, November 27, 2010

PLANO - An 11-18 season wasn’t what the Plano Senior boys’ basketball team had in mind last year.

However, chemistry issues made the 2009 season a less than stellar one, to say the least.

“I wouldn’t say it was a rebuilding year,” said Phil Parlin, Plano head coach. “It was just a disappointing season. We didn’t play at the level we could have.”

Parlin and his staff are ensuring a repeat of 2009 doesn’t happen again this season with a deep and experienced team back for 2010.

“The players all get along really well,” Parlin said. “Chemistry is good with them which is a really important thing.”

That chemistry is something the Wildcats lacked last season and it led to 18 losses in 29 games.

“Sometimes a team just doesn’t click,” Parlin said.

Gone from last season’s team are 6-foot-8 post David Thompson, forward Jake Martin and guard Brandon Bailey.

Taking over the reins will be senior forward Rashad Smith, junior forward Dwayne Hicks and guards Clayton Parlin and Austin Mitchell, among others.

“We’re deep,” Parlin said. “I really like our team right now. We need to get our tempo up and we can wear some teams down.”

A lack of experience isn’t something that will keep Plano from having success this season. The Wildcats’ varsity roster features six seniors and seven juniors, many of which received significant playing time in 2009. That kind of experience is something Parlin said could come into play at the right time this year.

“Last year we lost a lot of close games and close plays,” he said. “I think that experience can make a big difference in those kinds of situations this year.”

The Wildcats have played just two games this season, splitting games against Garland Naaman Forest and Richardson. However, Parlin said the 81-48 win over Richardson last week could have given his team some much-needed confidence at the right time.

“We played really well against Richardson,” he said. “I think it was big for us with the stretch of games we have coming up. Our next three games will be huge for us.”

Games against Duncanville, Jesuit and Cedar Hill will give the Wildcats a good idea of what the team’s potential can be this season. Parlin thinks the ceiling is high for this season’s Wildcat team.

“We’re looking to get a signature win in these next few games,” he said. “A few good games in this stretch could really give us some confidence for our district schedule.”

Aside from a solid post presence with forwards Hicks and Smith and senior post Julian Okoro, the Wildcats also boast several outside threats with guards Mitchell, Parlin and senior Daniel Slaughter. Sophomore guard Tim Singleton, who played mostly on junior varsity last season, will also be a 3-point threat for Plano.

“[Singleton] had a really solid season on JV last year,” Parlin said. “I think he is going to be a real excellent player.”

With a playoff spot on its mind, Plano will have to make its way through the tough 8-5A district that features teams such as Plano West, Allen, Lewisville and Flower Mound Marcus.

“The five, six, seven and eight teams in our district could be at the top of a lot of other districts,” Parlin said. “It’s unfortunate it is as stacked as it is.”

With such a deep collection of teams in the district, Parlin said it will take the Wildcats’ best effort this season to clinch a playoff berth.

“We’re going to have to bring it night in and night out,” he said. “We can’t afford not to play well on any night.”

After failing to make the playoffs in 2009, Parlin said last season makes him that more anxious for the new season.

“For me, it does for sure,” he said. “Luckily we’re getting right into the middle of the season right now.”

The Wildcats have had to hit the road for the team’s first three games of the season. Plano will host its first home game in 2010 with a contest against Jesuit at 2 p.m. Saturday.

“Without a doubt, playoffs is our goal,” Parlin said. “But it’s going to take a sustained effort throughout the entire season for us to accomplish that.”