Caruthersville hoops has experience, talent, and depth in 2024-25

Caruthersville High School basketball player Jermonte Alexander drives baseline against East Prairie last season at East Prairie.

Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

The Caruthersville High School boy’s basketball program has strung together three consecutive winning seasons, and veteran Tiger coach Lamonte Bell believes he has the experience and depth this season to make it four in a row.

“I return four out of five starters,” Bell said of this year’s squad.

The Tigers have football stars Jermonte Alexander and Sammy Bryant returning, as well as Colbe Sargent and Quawterrious McVay.

“Quawterrious can shoot the ball from the outside,” Bell said.

The Tigers won 14 games a year ago in large part due to the high-scoring Abeyon Motton, who averaged 20 points per game. However, Bell said he has a deep roster that could alleviate much of that concern.

“For the first time in a long time,” Bell said, “I can play probably 10 or 12 guys.”

Alexander brings leadership just as he did on the football field, according to Bell.

“He’s a coach on the floor,” Bell said of Alexander, who runs the offense as a point guard. “If you watched him all football season, ‘Monte brings the same energy to basketball. He coaches kids on the floor and makes sure everybody is in the right spot.

“He knows to take the game over when we need for the game to be taken over.”

Alexander is approaching the 1,000-point mark for his career.

“Jermonte is just a special kid,” Bell said.

Tiger athletes shine in the classroom, as well as on the fields/courts

Tom Davis

The Caruthersville High School football program had its most successful season this fall since 2018, as it won 10 games for just the second time in 11 seasons. However, that success was not limited to just on the field.

An intriguing prospect for Bell this season will be the emerging play of Dyersburg (Tenn.) move-in Xavier McCluey.

“Xavier is a go-getter,” Bell said. “He’s a good defender and is that guy who dives on the floor and gets you an extra possession.”

McCluey will miss the first two games at the Riverbend Classic at New Madrid County Central High School on Friday and Saturday due to illness.

The Tigers will open play on Friday at 3 p.m. against Marion (Ark.) and face West Memphis (Tenn.) on Saturday at 11 a.m.

“I have beefed up our schedule to prepare us for District (play),” Bell said. “This is the toughest schedule we’ve played in my 10 years (as a head coach).”

Bell is also expecting to get solid contributions from seniors Terrence Jackson and Gavin Motton.

“The guys have accepted the challenge,” Bell said of his tough early practices. “They are working hard every day.”