2. Marcus (Flower Mound, Texas)Head coach: Danny Henderson
2010-11 record: 39-1, Texas 5A state champion
Players to watch: Nick Banyard (6-7, 195, Sr., F, New Mexico verbal commitment),
Phil Forte (5-11, 180, Sr., G, Oklahoma State), A.J. Luckey (6-0, 180, Sr., G),
Marcus Smart (6-3, 205, Sr., G, Oklahoma State)
Marauders scouting report: The duo of Forte and Smart has been tough to beat over the past couple of years. The future Oklahoma State teammates have helped Marcus go 76-4 over the past two seasons with a state title in 2011. They also led club team Texas Assault to age-group titles each of the past two summers at the prestigious adidas Super 64 in Las Vegas.
Opposing coaches know they have their hands full with Marcus Smart.
Photo by Keith Owens
Smart earned MVP honors in last season's state finals and is one of the nation's top prospects. No. 11 in the MaxPreps Class of 2012 Top 100, Henderson once compared him to a shorter version of Magic Johnson with his ability to pass and dominate games without scoring. Smart is also capable of rebounding in bunches and is a dogged defender.
Forte led the Marauders in scoring last year and is a deadly 3-point shooter. Forte and Smart have been close since the third grade and played virtually every game since together in the same backcourt.
Banyard joined the program last season and has seen his stock rise. Now regarded as a Top 100 prospect, the future New Mexico Lobo has a developing 3-point game and is an ultra-athletic finisher and defender. Luckey is a veteran of Marcus' success over the past two seasons.
As good as Marcus is, surviving the next month unscathed will be a challenge. The Marauders take on
Yates (Houston) Nov. 25 at the Thanksgiving Hoopfest and No. 1
Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) just eight days later.
Marcus begins defense of its Class 5A state title Nov. 15.
Photo by Jim Redman
