Anthony Mosley starts to take charge, Young beats Farragut

When Young senior Anthony Mosley looks around at his teammates it’s immediately clear that things are different this year.

“Last year we were fully loaded,” said Mosley. “We aren’t as talented this year, but we have a lot of guys that can play.”

All the key members of the 2014 Class 4A state championship team are gone, but as Mosley said, the Dolphins have a bevy of players that are likely to play college basketball.

“In this early going with an all new team it’s going to be a struggle,” said Young coach Tyrone Slaughter. “We’re getting into the flow and trying to get people in the right places. But it’s nice to be winning while you’re doing that.”

The visiting Dolphins beat Farragut 59-50 Wednesday. Vanderbilt recruit Joseph Toye led the way with 11 points and six rebounds and Derrick Freeman scored 12. Young (3-1, 3-0 Red West) had 10 different players score.

Mosley, a point guard, seems to be stepping up as a leader. He may be the key to Young’s success this season. He isn’t a high scorer, but he’s the one that resets the offense and helps to get a group of young players on the same page.

“That’s what I worked on all summer,” said Mosley. “I know we need someone to try and bring everything together.”

Mosley scored nine points and took command the few times Farragut went on runs to threaten the Dolphins’ lead.

“He’s beginning to become the player we always thought he could be,” said Slaughter.

Young led by six at the half and Farragut cut things to five on a basket from Nashaun Hayslett. Mosley responded with a drive and basket that ignited an 8-0 run to end the threat.

Toye closed things out in the fourth quarter, capping a personal 6-0 run with a block and a dunk on the other end to seal the win.

Junior Dulan Scott led Farragut (5-5, 0-3) with 18 points and seven rebounds and Joshua Adams added 17. The Admirals have been without Michael Myles, their second best player, for the entire season so far. He broke his ankle in gym class.

“This is a group of guys that I think can be dangerous by the end of the year,” said Farragut coach William Nelson. “Myles was the guy that kind of made everything go, so it’s been an adjustment without him.”

Young leaves for Florida on Thursday morning. The Dolphins are competing in the City of Palms Holiday Tournament, which features some of the top players and teams in the country.

“It’s definitely going to be a challenge,” said Slaughter. “I feel good about our chances though. We always seem to play better away from home, just more focused.”