Everything you always wanted in a basketball player
By Mel Barlow
Sports Editor
Daily Commercial
January 21, 1977
LEESBURG - It's not easy to compete against people that are three or four inches taller Than you are. And it gets a lot tougher when the other team's big player is 6-8 or 6-9. But Leesburg's Ed Chatman seems to always find a way to get the job done even though he's small by today's basketball standards.
The 6-3 Senior Jacket can do it all, Not only does he have an eagle eye close in, but he can rip the net from 15-20 feet out.
"When I was in junior high school I shot more from the outside, Chatman said. "But as I grew taller. I was moved inside."
Chatman's leaping ability has brought raves from opposing players and coaches. He can battle with people 6-6 or 6-7 on equal terms.
"Ed has some kind of spring in his legs," said Jacket Coach Bill Clendinen. "He's a hard worker and gives his all every time he's on the floor.
"He battled with players that were 6-7 and 6-9 in the Deland game and I would say he probably got the best of it."
Chatman says he has an advantage over a 6-7 or taller player because they won't work as hard against him.
"They don't think I can jump as high as I can and so they kind of relax. That gives me an opportunity to get position for the rebound or to block his shot."
That seems to be the case since Chatman out jumped Deland's Kevin Lewis two out of four times on the tip off Lewis is 6-9.
Ed played junior high basketball with most of this year's Jackets. The squad was seventh grade county champions.
"I averaged about eight points a game in the seventh and eight grade," Chatman said. "We were taught that scoring was fine but the main thing was to win the game as a team."
"Every player that is starting this year played on those junior high teams. We've been together a long time and it just seems natural to see the other guys on the floor with you."
Chatman played varsity football as a tenth grader but a broken finger made him decide basketball was his sport.
The easy talking Jacket started on the Leesburg's ninth grade basketball squad but did not move up to the junior varsity the year as most kids do. Instead he found himself a starter on the varsity as a sophomore.
"I had so much to learn that first year, " related Chatman, "But we had a fine coach and the other players were willing to help me. I think that helped me get off to a good start more than anything else."
Chatman averaged 16 points that first season on a club that compiled a 7-15 record. But last year many good things happened to Chatman and his teammates as they won the district tournament, finished second in the region and recorded an outstanding 19-8 mark. Ed hit the basket for 19 points per outing while grabbing 15 rebounds. He had arrived as a bonafide All State candidate.
Ed has been listed on most of the college scouts 'who to watch list'. In fact, over 20 universities have shown an interest based on his performance last season. Included in that group are Florida, FSU and Tennessee. That's the only the beginning since he has most of this year left to display his potential and already other schools are starting to write.
Ed is 17 and should grow another inch or so during the next year.
"It would be nice if I could reach 6-6. But only if i could still jump like I do now."
When asked what it was like playing before a packed house as the number one team in the state, Chatman said everything he and his teammates have worked for is finally falling in place.
"It's a dream come true. We always had hopes of being first and seeing our gym fill up every game. That is real now and we just want to keep working so we can bring home the state championship"
Chatman says there is more pressure on him this season with the graduation of Wayne Hamilton, at 6-7, was the Jacket that most teams keyed on last year, leaving Chatman relatively free to play his kind of game. That isn't the case now.
"it seems like there are two guys on me every game. Now I'm not complaining because I think that's a real compliment to me what I'm saying is I know everyone is counting on me to hold down the other big guys. And at the same time get my normal points. I don't ever want to let the team or Coach Clendinen down."
Ed is a team player. he's quick to say whatever recognition he receives is due mostly to his teammates who work the ball in to him.
"How could I do anything without the other players? This team isn't a one man team. It takes five people to make things happen. Sure it's nice to score a lot of points and get rebounds. But I honestly want us to win the game more than anything else."
Coach Bill Clendinen says he doesn't have to work hard keeping Chatman or the other players in the right mental frame.
"They're easy to coach." Clendinen said. "All the kids look up to Ed because he's such an unselfish individual. Sure we work hard, but we have the right kind of people to work with."
Chatman has complete respect for Clendinen.
"he's a great defensive coach, Coach Clendinen always prepares us well mentally and we know exactly what to do against that team. He knows how to defense a particular player and that takes a lot of pressure off us."
Ed is averaging just under 20 points per game in the Jackets first 15 contests. But you can't measure Chatman's worth to the team in point totals. He hustles jumps like a gazelle crashes the boards play tough defense, passes like a guard and intimidates the other players that usually are three or four inches taller.
Chatman personifies Leesburg's basketball team. They're a group of players that put each other first and there doesn't appear to be any jealously whatsoever on the squad.
"We deserve to go to state this year," Chatman said. "Everyone is giving his all and I think we have a good chance if we keep playing together as a team."
Basketball no longer takes the backseat at LHS. Football may still be king, but round ball has gained tremendous strides in recent years.
"Right now, I think basketball is the most popular sport at Leesburg High," related Chatman. "I don't mean to take anything away from football. But we have something going now that the people of Leesburg really can relate to. We're going to do everything we can to keep them coming to watch us."
Chatman means what he says. He has a sincere tone in his voice. There isn't any hint of being on an ego trip. He's for real. But you already knew that. You watched him play.
Resources:
Mel Barlow
Sports Editor
Daily Commercial
January 21, 2011
Leesburg Public Library
100 East Main Street
Leesburg, Florida 34748
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Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Varsity Jackets Football Lettermen #82
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
leesburgyellowjacketsfootball@yahoo.com
www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com
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