Joe Dodson 
8/17/17
“YOU SHOULD MEET”
     Meet our newest athletic transfer, Joshua Dannemann. He is a 6’5 junior from Leipzig, Germany, and will be here all year. Josh has a taste for competition. Growing up in Germany, he has always played soccer. But last winter, he took up basketball, playing on his team in Germany. His need for competition and athleticism did not end at one foreign sport, as he is also our newest kicker for the Fighting Leemen. It’s obvious that Josh has the will and the talent when you watch him play.
   When I told Josh about Lee High’s impressive basketball dynasty, he replied saying, “This is a place where you go beyond your limits and get better and better, training everyday.” He certainly is a quick learner when you watch him play, especially when he has only played one official season of basketball. He controls the perimeter on offense and loves to drive to the rim with his long wingspan. One bump in the road Joshua will need to overcome is learning how to play Lee’s style compared to his former German experience. After Lee High super star Darius George’s departure, the whole team will search for a new identity. Joshua has plenty of time to improve his communication, while taking advantage of his athleticism and talent to contribute for this years’ team

     The competition for spots on the team has already begun with only two practices under our belt. The most highly anticipated question for Coach Hatcher is who our starting guards will be. With three seniors that have all shown what they can do last season, it leads to the question of Hatcher playing a three guard starting five. Jaheel Pettiford is our sharp shooter at the 2 spot who volunteered to lose minutes last year for the sake of the team. As a senior he is ready to show this school what he is capable of as a starter. Jayden Williams is our most secure guard, playing since freshman year for the Leemen. His clutch free-throws in our semifinals game sent Lee to the finals. Then there is everyone’s favorite to watch, Blaize Velvin. His name matches his skill set- when put on the court, he ‘blazes’ by unsuspecting guards. Last season, he developed as one of our most consistent three point shooters with a very interesting form.
 With those first three on Hatcher's mind, Joshua and several other transfers, plus returning players in Tre Simmons, Wilson von Seldeneck, and Mac Kincheloe, there is no doubt that this season will be filled with speed and solid perimeter play. When it comes to the guard positions, we will have plenty of stars and depth.