After graduating seven seniors from last year's record-breaking team, JS Clark head coach Tiffany Lewis wasn't sure what to expect when the Bulldogs took the floor this year.
“D’marcus and Channing were the only one’s who played 32 minutes of basketball. The others that are playing now, they come in for 3-4 minutes for relief. So, it’s a different thing when you go to 3-5 minutes to 28 minutes a game," said head coach Tiffany Lewis.
The Bulldogs needed someone to lead this young team, and it didn't take long for their 6"5 point guard, D'marcus Fugett, to step up to the challenge.
“It says point guard, he’s a shooting guard he’s our forward, he does it all. He plays 1-4 if we ask him to. I think his presence helps the other kids feel comfortable.”
Fugett has recorded over 1300 points in his high school career. This season he's averaged 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists per game. In their match against Midland, he scored a career-high 40.
“That game Ms. Lewis told me she needed me to show out. So, that’s basically what I did. I had to go out there and put on for my team, for my school," said senior point guard D'marcus Fugett.
Making the state tournament for the first time in school history last year, JS Clark advanced to the semifinals, where they lost to Doyline 63-61. Now, what Fugett wants most now is to bring home a state championship.
“Last year, it ended in a heartbreak way. We lost at the free-throw line. This year our goal remains the same. We want to make it to the top 28 and win the championship game. That’s been on our mind all summer.”