The high-flying Jets; McGinnis takes flight

HUNTSVILLE- Few teams in the state can run out two guards as talented as James Clemens.

A 6-foot-4 scorer is a hot item among college recruiters and A.J. McGinnis fits that bill and his hot start to the young season has college offers coming in fast.

Against Grissom Friday night, McGinnis lit up the scoreboard as James Clemens posted a 65-58 non-area win. He started the game hitting four three-pointers and scored 19 points in the first half. He hit two more in the second half to finish with 28 points.

McGinnis is efficient.  He hit 7 of 11 from behind the three-point line.

McGinnis holds offers from Samford, UAB, and Jacksonville State.

“My recruitment is still open,” he said. “We wanted to go undefeated but we lost a couple of close games. We are using these non-area games to improve. My job on offense is to score but to also get my teammates the ball when they are open. On defense we need to play the gaps and stay zoned in when rebounding.”

The Jets point guard Garrett Hicks has an offer from Alabama A&M but has not yet signed.

The win runs the Jets record to 8-2.

Coach Danny Petty has a starting five of seniors McGinnis, Hicks, Deacon Goldman, and Wilson Patterson and sophomore Trevon Sims.

Goldman at 6-foot-10 and Omar el-Sotouhy at 6-foot-6 are imposing big men who rotate all throughout the game.

Myles Williams and Christian Brooks provide valuable minutes off the bench in the backcourt and 6-foot-4 swingman Lucas Sloan gets plenty of playing time. But McGinnis rarely comes off the court except during timeouts.

Petty is assisted by former Auburn standout shooting guard Frankie Sullivan who works with the offense on skill development, ball handling, passing, and shooting.

Against Grissom, the Jets biggest lead was 45-28 early in the second half.

Hicks finished with 19 which is right on his season average.

The players now set their sights on the Huntsville City Classic, Dec, 27-29 at Huntsville High School.