Crochett, Watson learning under fire for Mustangs

Van Wade

WEST ORANGE — Going into the 2007-08 basketball season, West Orange-Stark basketball fans knew their young team would be a work in progress.

After all, the program lost three-year starters Richard Netherly, Earl Thomas and Andre Bevil to graduation. That’s a threesome that led WO-S to three straight postseason appearances and a trip to the Class 3A State Tournament in 2006.

First-year coach Zack Quinn, who took over the program from Doug McCarter, basically watched his junior varsity squad from last season turn into the varsity this year with the exception of seniors Ronnie Dennis and Jim McDonald.

The Mustangs (8-17, 3-5) certainly had some growing pains early on but have hit their stride in recent weeks, especially juniors Marquest Watson and Donovan Crochett.

Watson has been a consistent scorer from Quinn and is one of their top penetrators in getting to the basket.

“Quest is a kid that just gets better each time he hits the floor,” Quinn said. “He was excellent for me on the JV last year. His biggest adjustment was getting accustomed to the varsity style of the game. He knows how to drive and he get hit the outside shot too. He’s always improved a lot on the defensive end.”

Watson has certainly enjoyed the season, despite the early-season growing pains.

“The varsity game, it’s a whole other experience,” explained Watson. “Everything happens so much faster and you have to adjust quickly. We started off slow because we lacked that varsity experience. We’re starting to show signs of having a really good team and it’s only going to get better for us in the future.”

Crochett has made his mark with nice scoring binges and showing leadership on the floor.

“Donovan has probably been our most consistent player all season,” Quinn said. “He can provide much-needed offense when he’s called upon. He’s just a junior, but he’s a vocal kid and his teammates have a lot of respect for him. He does all the little things and that’s what leaders do.”

Crochett has enjoyed his first stint on varsity.

“I really enjoy playing for Coach Quinn,” said Crochett. “I loved playing for him on the JV last year and it’s nice knowing that he’s with us on varsity now and hopefully we can make the playoffs before I graduate. We’ve matured a lot this season after struggling early. We’ve got to finish the season strong. Who knows, you never know what can happen, especially if we go out and give it everything we’ve got the rest of the way.”

The two juniors know each other’s games pretty well after playing beside each other the last few years.

“Quest is one of those tough guys that likes to go inside and go up against the big boys and challenge them,” said Crochett. “He may be small, but he’s tough and durable and you have to respect that.”

As far as Crochett is concerned?

“Donovan is smooth at everything he does and he makes us all better,” Watson said. “I know, that if I can get inside and then kick it back out, Donovan will be there waiting and he’s going to knock down the shot most of the time.”

The Mustangs face a grueling test tonight when they play host to the second-place Silsbee Tigers (17-3, 7-1) at Mustang Gym. WO-S is coming off a tough loss to third-ranked and defending 3A state champion Hardin-Jefferson 44-40 on Tuesday in a hostile environment in Sour Lake.

The Mustangs put forth a tremendous defensive effort against arguably the toughest team in the state. Also, throw in the fact that the Hawks attempted 18 free throws and the Mustangs had just four, and the game could have been much closer.

“I know it was a loss, but our kids played their tails off,” Quinn said. “To go over to there place and play like that was quite an accomplishment. The kids proved to themselves that they can play with anybody. Games like that makes you think you have a positive future, which I think we do. We’re back at work trying to slow down Silsbee, which will be a tough challenge. I like the way we’ve played defensively lately. If we can find something more on the offensive end, that would be great.”