Dynamic duo principal to Generals’ success

Ivan McDowell, Southeast/Mid-South Editor

December 19, 2006 - Lee High (Huntsville, AL) basketball is no stranger to success or being home to some of the best basketball players in Alabama. Past ballers like Chadd Moore (Cincinnati) and Duane Erwin (Memphis) have graced the hallowed hardwood of Dugan Hall.

More recently the Stewart brothers, Jared and Darian, packed the stands on a regular basis, and although the two-sport athletes ultimately chose football as their ticket to college (Jacksonville State and South Carolina respectively), the siblings were not slouches when it came to hoops.

This season Coach Greg Brown has another pair of high-flying, sweet shooting tandem that has people in the northeast section of Huntsville filling the gymnasium of the 50+ year old school.

Guards Chase Robinson and Kurtis Woods have begun to etch their indelible mark on the program with their hustle, shooting and unselfish play. Their play has also surprised some who thought Lee High basketball would be down with the graduation of the abovementioned Stewarts.

Kurtis Woods has determined he needs to broaden his skill set in order to secure a college scholarship.

Woods, who always liked to shoot the ball, is rounding out his game at the start of his senior season with more drives to the basket and better overall intensity. At 6’2, Kurtis is looking to be more of a floor general this season and get his teammates more involved. This is imperative for his development and for him to be successful at the next level.

“I’m trying to get my teammates more into the game. Working on my assists and even rebounding to help lead us to victories”, stated Woods.

Kurtis while not overly fast, is a nice athlete with a consistent perimeter stroke and handle, who sees the floor well and finishes around the basket. Woods, though not slight in stature, will need added strength to combat the physicality shown on the collegiate level.

UTEP and Ole Miss, along with some mid-major schools, are tracking Woods progress, with the Miners, according to him, the early favorite.

Chase Robinson’s game has evolved from a shoot first, one on one type of mentality, into an unselfishness that has high-major programs taking notice.

Tennessee, UAB, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia Tech, and Memphis are all in the early running for his services. The Vols, Tigers and Yellow Jackets have peaked Robinson’s interest the most.

Chase Robinson is proving himself one of the best guards in the Southeast/Mid-south.

Just a junior, Chase has elevated the totality of his play without sacrificing the toughness or highly developed skill set that has transformed him from one of the more promising guards in the city into one of the best junior guards in the state. Frankly put, Chase and his game have matured.

“I worked on a little of everything over the summer. My mid-range game, footwork, weight lifting and taking the ball to the basket more”, commented Robinson.

Last season, Robinson would try and do everything himself and force a lot from his guard position, which was detrimental to the team at times. A refocused Chase has begun to trust and rely on his teammates, while picking his spots to score.

“I did a lot of fundamental work as well; trying not to get too fancy and just stay humble and focused.”

Robinson appears to be physically ahead of most guards in his class and uses his quicks and strong frame to get into the lane and either score or get to the line. You cannot play off of him though, or he’ll nail the jumper in your grill. He has range out to the three-point line.

Robinson scores in bunches and can take over a game when necessary, while still displaying an above average point guard acumen. He reminds me of Raleigh-Egypt (TN) point guard Maurice Miller, who signed with Georgia Tech in November.

“I’ve continued to work hard, be unselfish and become more of a leader to help my team win ballgames.”

Continued progression by both Woods and Robinson will ensure that the Generals of Lee High will win many ballgames and contend for the Alabama 5A State Championship.