BY Matt Welch Staff Writer -
Published: Friday, November 27, 2009 5:52 PM CST

PLANO - While some basketball teams are still fine-tuning starting rotations and establishing chemistry, the Plano Senior boys basketball team has undergone nothing short of a baptism by fire to open the 2009-10 season.

Games against Prestonwood Christian Academy, the top-ranked private school by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, and Duncanville, No. 12 in Class 5A, have netted the Wildcats an 0-3 record. A road date with No. 2 Cedar Hill on Tuesday won’t ease the learning curve any, but head coach Phil Parlin said the early season gauntlet is par for the course.

“We’ve always scheduled really hard over the years,” he said. “I’ve been here when coach (Stan) Hicks and coach (Tom) Inman were here and we’ve always scheduled up.”

It’ll be a much-needed asset for a team set to replace it’s top scoring threat from last season. With the graduation of Rex Burkhead and his 14.1 points per game, the Wildcats’ offensive onus will fall on the trio of senior forwards Jake Martin and David Thompson, alongside junior forward Rashad Smith.

The latter of the three, coming off a 2008-09 campaign that netted him Newcomer of the Year honors, has led Plano in scoring in all three games thus far.

“We need [Smith] to step up and be a big scoring guy for us,” Parlin said. “Other teams know of the potential and ability that he has, so it’s been a bit difficult for him. He’s been playing good, but I think he can be even better.”

Martin and Thompson both enter their third year of varsity play and at 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-9, respectively, will anchor the Wildcats’ inside game.

“[Thompson] has already had to go up against two 6-foot-9 kids,” Parlin said, “and he’s done a good job battling defensively … I’m really proud of the progress [Martin] has made. I don’t think he played as well as he had hoped last year, but he’s stepped it up for sure.”

Confident in his starting fold for the time being, Parlin said while a tweak could be made down the road, the three will be joined by junior Clayton Parlin at point guard, with senior Brandon Bailey manning the off-guard spot. Clayton netted extensive playing time last season by filling in for injured alumnus Dalton Sullivan; a vital benefit for an expanded role this year.

“[Clayton] got confidence and experience,” Parlin said. “…It’s tough when you’re the coach’s kid. The expectations are high and everyone’s looking to see if he earns the time he gets, and he understands that. He does a great job at that.”

Parlin and Bailey join a Plano ISD-high eight returners for the Wildcats from last season and a unit that has seen the early-season struggles transpire in the past. In the end, Parlin hopes the high-caliber opposition will serve as a better springboard once district play gets underway.

“It doesn’t necessarily reflect well on your record,” he said, “but I think it gets you ready for district. If you’re fortunate to get through district and into the playoffs, then you’ve seen some of these teams and know what you need to do to get to the level needed.

“We’re hoping this pre-district schedule will get us ready for a really tough District 8-5A.”