Gameday Q&A: Ocean Lakes' Marcus Davis
Like the Beach district as a whole, the Ocean Lakes basketball season has been a difficult to figure out. After winning four of the first five games, the Dolphins promptly lost four out of their next five. Last season, Ocean Lakes surprised most people in winning the first Beach District tournament title in school history, but 1st Team All-District player LeRon Irwin has since graduated. How do you project an over-achieving team that lost their best player? Bring in this year's top player for the Dolphins, junior forward Marcus Davis. Davis was a 2nd Team All-District player last season, and is averaging over 16 points a game this year. He is also pulling down double digit rebounds, and blocking five shots a game.
Gameday Magazine: First off, congrats on a fine season personally. So what's the story out at Ocean Lakes.
Marcus Davis: Thanks. It has been a pretty good season so far.
GM: So it's been an up and down season up to this point, why is that?
MD: Well, we slept on a lot of teams early. That hurt us. You can't overlook any opponents, and I think we took some teams lightly.
GM: We were out at the Salem game when you guys pulled out a thrilling overtime win. We have a sweet picture of you pinning a Salem shot to the backboard. You played well in that one, making some keys defensive plays and scoring the winning basket. How did that feel?
MD: Great. We needed that win, and it feels good to beat a good team like Salem.
GM: You seemed to have gotten back on track with three straight wins (including the aforementioned Salem game), until that loss at Tallwood.
MD: Yeah, we felt like we should have had that game, but they went to that full court press, and we couldn't stop them.
GM: Now that you have played everyone in the Beach, who is the top team in the district?
MD: Tallwood is the best team in the Beach.
GM: Obviously, they had a great run last year, and are playing well again this year, but why do you say Tallwood?
MD: They have great players. Darius (James) is the best guard in the beach. With him and Danny (Johnson) they have great leadership. If they are down, they just pick the team up, no arguing or yelling at teammates or anything like that.
GM: So how do you feel heading into the final games of the regular season?
MD: After the loss to Tallwood we are focused. We are ready for the stretch run. If we come to play, none of those teams can beat us. I really want to get to regionals again. Nansemond River knocked us out last year and I want to get back.
