Akal trying to mesh present, future into one
Published 1:25 am Tuesday, November 20, 2018
<p>John Henson | Daily Enterprise</p> <p>Team members include, from left, front row: Trey Barnes, Caleb Adkins, Jaeden Gist, Cade Barnes, Kaleb McLendon, Charles David Morton and Adam Lewis; back row: Jordan Akal, Carl Pachelowski, Carter Barnes, Jon Eldridge, Kilian Ledford, Jared Hawkins and John Mark Bryson; not pictured: Tate Bryson and Johann Gist.</p>
<p>Chris Jones | Daily Enterprise</p> <p>Harlan guard Jordan Akal drove to the basket in action last season against Middlesboro. Akal, a freshman, is back for his second season at point guard.</p>
<p>Photo by Les Nicholson</p> <p>Harlan senior guard Kilian Ledford, pictured in action last season against Knox Central, is back for his fourth season as a starter.</p>
<p>Photo by Les Nicholson</p> <p>Harlan senior guard Cade Barnes worked inside against Knox Central’s Jaylen Adams in action last season.</p>
<p>Chris Jones | Daily Enterprise</p> <p>Harlan senior forward Carter Barnes shot over a couple of Lynn Camp defenders in action last season.</p>
<p>Photo by Les Nicholson</p> <p>Harlan senior Jared Hawkins guarded Knox Central’s Markelle Turner in action last season. Hawkins is expected to move into a starting role at guard.</p>
<p>Photo by Les Nicholson</p> <p>Harlan junior center Jon Eldridge guarded Knox Central’s Nick Martin in action last season.</p>
With a six-man senior class that he hopes can make.a final run at All “A” Classic and 52nd District titles, Harlan coach Derrick Akal knows the future is now.
With a seven-man freshman class, Akal also can’t help looking ahead to a group that fits his style and gives him a chance to turn the Harlan boys into perennial contenders like he did with the Harlan girls a few years earlier.
Mixing the two groups into one team will be the challenge this year for Akal, who enters his third season as coach.
“We do have six seniors, but we also have seven freshmen who have to learn my system, which is different than what they did in middle school,” Akal said. “We’re more athletic than we’ve been in three years, so we can do some different things defensively, and even offensively.”
Akal plans a more aggressive approach on the defensive end with a more athletic team.
“Our basketball IQ has to get stronger. I think that will cut down on our turnovers and improve our offense. I think we can get more transition buckets off our defense because we are more athletic and can pressure people,” Akal said.
Avoiding last year’s slow start, which included 10 straight losses to start the season and led to a 6-20 record, is another goal for the Dragons.
“Obviously, we want to get off to a better start. We had a tough schedule last year and I started an eighth-grade point guard,” Akal said.
Freshman Jordan Akal (8.0 points per game last year) the coach’s son, is back for his second season running the offense.
“He got an opportunity last year to play against most of the top teams and players in our region and understands what it takes,” said Akal. “I think he gained a lot of confidence from last year, plus all the AAU games he played in the spring and summer. He is also bigger and stronger, and some of that lack of confidence came from being weaker.
Cade Barnes (8.0), a senior who was the Dragons’ top offensive threat at times last year, returns at a wing.
“He’s a tough kid and great defender. I expect Cade to step up and be more of a vocal leader on this team. He is one of the pit bulls on this team,” Akal said. “He’s a good shooter and an even better slasher. He can get to the bucket with the best of them.”
Jared Hawkins, a senior best known for his 3-point shooting, will move into the starting lineup at a guard.
“Jared is a good 3-point shooter and has one of the higher basketball IQs on the team,” Akal said. “He is like a coach on the floor. He gets guys where they are supposed to be. We look for him to get better on the boards and on defense this season.”
Senior wing Kilian Ledford (13.0) is the Dragons’ leader as a four-year starter who, at 6-2, can defend guards or post players due to his size, strength and athleticism.
“He’s one of the best players in the region and one of the best shooters I’ve coached,” Akal said. “Kilian is a hard-nosed kid who will give you everything he’s got. I look for Kilian to have his best year yet.”
Jon Eldridge (6.0), a 6-4 junior, will give Harlan an athletic post player who showed signs of improvement in the summer.
“He’s athletic and a great rebounder and shot blocker. He does all the things we need from a guy inside,” Akal said. “He is also very capable of hitting the outside shot. He’s a non-traditional post guy who fits in with what we are trying to get accomplished.”
Akal could turn to a pair of freshmen guards, Jaeden Gist and Kaleb McLendon, as top reserves.
“They are enthusiastic, energetic and athletic,” Akal said. “They bring energy into the gym in games and practices that we’ve not had here in a while. We’re looking for a lot from those two.”
Caleb Adkins, a guard, and Carter Barnes, a forward, are back for their senior seasons and could also play key roles, as could senior forward Tate Bryson, who suffered a knee injury in football and will be out the first couple of weeks of the season.
“Caleb is a tough kid who is a good defender. He brings the same intensity he had in football to the basketball team,” Akal said. “Carter is a good defender and very athletic. He’s an unselfish kid who could be an anchor down low. Tate will give us everything he’s got and is very physical and smart. He can guard the three or four and could play a little at the five.”
Junior guard Charles David Morton and sophomore guard Trey Barnes provide depth, along with freshmen Johann Gist, John Mark Bryson, Carl Pachelowski and Adam Lewis.
While the 52nd District looks to be as balanced as it’s been in at least a decade, Akal insists Harlan County is still the favorite after four straight championships.
“Until I walk in the gym and see or read in the paper that someone has defeated Harlan County, they are still the team to beat,” he said. “Middlesboro and Bell County both have quite a few seniors and some transfers, so I know a lot of people have them ranked in the region also
“We have our work cut out for us. Our goal is to have a better record, compete in the All “A” and be ready when the district tournament rolls around. Our young guys have to grow up quickly. If we have patience with them, including our freshman point guard, I think we’ll get better throughout the season.”
