Developing players in post a tall order

It can take some time for them to shine

The fans' chants of "eat a sandwich" couldn't have helped bolster the confidence of Middle Creek High sophomore center Marcus Kitts.

But they did convince him to make changes.

Back then, it was safer for the 6-foot-5, 157-pounder to shoot fade-away jump shots than to joust body-to-body inside the paint, even if he was usually the tallest kid on the basketball court.

Two seasons later, Kitts is 6-foot-8, with a sturdy frame and a post game respectable enough to earn a scholarship to an NCAA Division I school, William & Mary, next fall.

"Before, I was tentative because I wasn't strong and I wasn't ready," Kitts said. "Now I'm more confident with it. I kind of enjoy it. It's a battle."

Kitts is just one example of the talented yet still developing pool of high school post players on Triangle boys and girls teams this season.

Getting comfortable

The players are growing comfortable with their lengthy frames and discovering how to use them effectively on the court. Coaches are learning to be patient, knowing that it takes time to blend height, talent, physical aggressiveness and low-post skills. When they pull all of their skills together and overcome the awkwardness of their height, these players stand out for their power, touch and agility in a game dominated by speedy guards.

Not every team is fortunate enough to have a 6-8 player, but there are towering athletes sprinkled throughout local conferences. They include Southern Durham 6-9 senior Julian Gamble, Broughton 6-11 senior Sam Mason and Green Hope 7-footer Daniel Watts.

Among girls teams, Wakefield has 6-5 freshman Kathleen Slay, Southeast Raleigh turns to 6-2 senior Tiahana Bowens and Garner plays 6-3 junior Kanita Shepard. There are many others.

Some high school coaches say it takes longer for bigger athletes to physically mature, which can delay a post player's development.

Middle Creek coach David Kushner said Kitts struggled to find his post identity in high school. In middle school, Kitts was talented enough to dribble and shoot outside the paint, which hurt his post game.

"Getting him to become a post player was probably a three-year process," said Kushner, who drilled Kitts on back-to-the-basket moves and has prohibited many long-range shots.

It's not easy to convince players to do the "dirty work" that comes with post play -- leaning, pushing, slapping arms and fighting for position. Many want to play like guards.

National trend

Dave Telep, Scout.com's high school basketball recruiting director, said he sees this trend locally and nationally.

"Kids are wrong in their approach sometimes. Everybody has to be a face-up post guy," he said. "Some guys are capable of doing that, other guys are better suited as low block guys. You almost get stigmatized as being a low-post player. I don't think enough guys embrace it."

Telep said the buzz word for post players is "versatile," but said that does not mean "shooting 3s." He said inside players should concentrate on posting up, passing out of high-low sets, going to the free-throw line and making turnaround jump shots.

"It doesn't seem like many people want to learn those skills," Kushner said. "They feel they are going to get stuck inside and nobody is going to see them do their thing. It's boring to watch offensive put-backs and little jump hooks. That's not what they're seeing on TV."

Getting guards to deliver the ball inside is also a problem.

Girls a force inside

Post play is still dominant in the high school girls game. Although coaches say convincing girls -- who tend to reach their height as freshman and avoid awkward stages of growth that boys face -- to be physical is a challenge.

Wakefield girls coach Danielle Blackburn said once girls accept the physical mentality, everything else evolves.

Girls such as Wake Forest-Rolesville 5-11 junior Katelyn Bass tend to fall away inside instead of moving forcefully into their opponents.

Bass said practice against boys and other strong girls helped her learn body control and gain fearlessness inside. It also helped her to slow down and make a plan of attack, so she can use her baby hook or drop step.

"I think before I make a move," she said. "I know exactly what I'm going to do before I do it."

Big expectations

Many coaches say they first must remember the burden of expectation their tall players face.

Southern Durham coach Dave Piper said he often has to remind University of Miami recruit Gamble to be patient.

"A lot of the things we are teaching him, we're not even going to see it until next year, the year after," he said. "The power and strength of a bigger man comes later."

This comes as no relief to Gamble, who said he always feels the pressure of his height.

"People think every time I catch the ball I should be dunking, I should be the fastest one, I should be strong," Gamble said. "They think I should be this perfect player in high school when I'm not going to be.

"I don't think that's possible for any high school player to become their best in high school."