“WE NOT ME.” That is the lifestyle that The King’s Academy boys’ basketball team is trying to live. It is a lifestyle of selflessness, unity, sacrifice, and dedication towards your team. It is putting your teammates above yourself and realizing that individual statistics and accolades mean nothing without a positive team culture. TKA basketball is starting the 2022-23 season red hot. After a blowout win against American Heritage Delray in the final of 2022 TKA Christmas Classic (94-44), TKA Lions basketball has a record of 11-0 for the first time in the Coach Murray Smith era. Coach Smith is entering his fourth season as the Lions’ head coach; however, he is no stranger to Palm Beach County basketball. Coach Smith has been a head coach here in Palm Beach County for 36 seasons now! Coach Smith has also coached 3 state championship squads (1999, 2001 Cardinal Newman, and 2011 Summit Christian).
Over his 36 years of coaching, Murray Smith has instilled lessons into his players to lead them into becoming great basketball players, but even better men. “I want to make a difference in the players lives and help them to see a Christlike example in me and know that how they act and live off the court is more important than what they do on the court.”
On the court, the Lions have averaged 86 points per game. Their ruthless scoring attack is being spearheaded by Junior PG, Jermaine Council. Council is currently the scoring leader in Class 3A district 8 with an average of 17.5 PPG. Jermaine Council is consistently the most dominant athlete on the court, and he is a serious threat that opposing teams cannot gameplan enough for. Another weapon in the Lions’ arsenal, is Junior sharpshooter, Ransom Soles, who is averaging 12.6 PPG and shooting 54% from 3. Soles is an elite 6’5” scorer, who can shoot from all over the court, as well as being able to get up and dunk when he needs to. Most recently, Soles was 4/4 from 3 against American Heritage Delray. Sophomore G, Javian Jones’ ability to get to the rim has been outstanding all season. Jones’ smooth finishing has him averaging 12.5 PPG for the year. An important part of Javian’s game is his ability to drive, collapsing opposing defenses, and then he dishes Council or Soles for an open 3-point shot.
Despite only having eight members on the varsity roster, the Lions are loaded with talent depth. Coming off the bench, the Lions still have elite scoring talent in Senior G, James Shoenfelt, Sophomore G, Matt McPherson. Coming off the bench, Shoenfelt, is averaging 7.7 PPG while shooting 40% from 3. M. McPherson is the youngest member of the Lions team. After being moved up from JV halfway through last season, he’s shown that he belongs on the varsity squad. Matt is averaging 8.4 PPG and 2.3 assists per game.
An underrated aspect of the Lions game is their passing ability. The Lions methodically know how to move the ball all over the court, which is a nightmare for opposing defenses. This is a team that is “very unselfish” Coach Smith stated. The Lions are currently being led in assists by Junior G, Reggie Workman. Workman is averaging 6.2 assists so far this year, as well as 6.5 PPG. Reggie is currently ranked #12 in the FHSAA in average assists per game.
Defensively, the Lions are just as strong. Their lockdown, defensive fortitude is being led by Senior, Jack Chamberlin. Chamberlin is averaging 9.5 rebounds per game and 2.5 blocks per game. The 6’6” big man is also an offensive threat deep in the paint, averaging 15.7 PPG. Chamberlin is currently ranked 5th in double doubles throughout the FHSAA. His personal goal that he wants to achieve by the end of the regular season, is to be able to pair his offensive and defensive strengths together to have a double-double average.
One area the Lions shine in this season is their veteran leadership. Senior Will McPherson has been playing basketball for the Lions for five seasons now. While Will is a great basketball player, he is an even better man. He is a true, selfless leader that will do anything and everything that the coaches ask. He constantly builds up his teammates and encourages them to become the best they can be. Will embodies all the lessons Coach Smith tries to instill into his players.
After finishing the 2021-22 season with a regular season record of 20-7 and falling just short of the district championship to St. Andrews (Final score 57-54), the Lions have one goal in mind: make it out of the district championship. The Lions have not won a District Championship in the Murray Smith era. With the new district classifications for this season, the Lions will have to face Benjamin, Cardinal Newman, Inlet Grove, John Carroll Catholic, Oxbridge, Somerset College Prep-Port St. Lucie for the district title. However, the threat of Saint Andrews still looms around the corner, as TKA would have to play the Scotts for the regional title.
