Darion Malone

Senior Darion Malone shoots a hoop at a game against Pope High School.

Upasna Kotakonda, Photo Editor

Selena Dibiase, Staff Writer

Senior Darion Malone is the captain of the varsity boys basketball team. Since his freshman year, Malone played basketball, improving from the second string on the freshman team to starting on the varsity basketball team this year. 

“Honestly the coaches have been saying how we need to be constituted to fix things and learn how to do it. The people that didn't want to do it didn't stick around, but the team is much better now and, we think we will have better results,” Malone said.

He saw the team change into a better version of itself these last four years and how the team increased its sense of comradery. The team built a strong bond together over the years. However, over the years, the players who could not take the intensity of the team will not witness the wins this season.

“This year has definitely been the best because we all understand what we have to do and, we all have the experience that we didn't have last year. That's probably what hurt us the most,” Malone said.

Head Coach Steven Bombard noticed the improvement in Malones’s game from the pre-season workouts compared to his performance in their most recent games. His presence on the court is now a big threat to opposing teams’ offense as he is a force to be reckoned with. His role on the team as a center is crucial to the team’s overall success and the offensive and defensive schemes they run during games. Assistant Coach Wes Henderson started coaching Malone when he was in middle school and is now the varsity assistant to Coach Bombard. He saw Malone’s improvement over these last six years of playing basketball and how he grew as a person as well as the team’s improvement from last year to now.  

“We were very young last year, so we have improved in our experience and have a few varsity games in our belt. If you listen to Coach Bombard as an amazing basketball coach, you’re going to do better,” said Henderson.

When it comes to college, Malone does not plan to continue his basketball career and plans to go to Georgia Southern. But as he moves through the year, he leaves a lasting impression on the boys basketball team and everyone he plays against due to his skills.