Howell says Vols have a lofty goal: national title

Tennessee rising senior Jordan Howell knows the drill well enough that he’s not about to put his foot in his mouth.

“I don’t want to be the first guy to come out and say our goal is to win the national championship,’’ Howell said. “But that is our goal. The thing is, coach (Bruce) Pearl has taught us that it is a process, and there’s a lot of work to be done before that can happen.

“We won’t get ahead of ourselves.’’

Howell is certainly working like a champion in the Pilot Rocky Top League.

Monday night, Howell scored 28 points to lead First Tennessee to a 112-110 victory over Kingston Alley (1-2) at Bearden High School.

Kingston Alley’s JaJuan Smith missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have won it, giving Howell bragging rights in the battle of perimeter stars.

“I’ve known Jordan since he came to Tennessee, and he does what it takes to get on the floor,’’ said former Vol Ron Slay, one of Howell’s teammates on the 2-1 First Tennessee team. “Jordan is a terrific player, I just always thought he needed to be a little more assertive shooting.’’

Pearl thinks the same thing, and he’s told Howell one of the things he wants him to do in the Rocky Top League is hunt his shot more often.

“We have great players with Chris (Lofton) and JaJuan (Smith),’’ Howell said, “but coach wants me to stay aggressive even when they’re out there.’’

Howell played well enough early last season to earn the starting point guard job when Ramar Smith, then a freshman, was struggling.

It was a tribute to Howell’s work ethic, as he had suffered a broken hand on October and played throughout the season with his hand taped.

When Howell suffered another break of the hand in December, Ramar Smith took over the starting job once and for all — with no objection from Howell.

“I’m realistic, and if a guy is better than me, he should play,’’ Howell said. “I won’t let my pride get in the way of the team.’’

Howell said that with the Vols’ depth this season, he can see UT using Pearl’s “controlled chaos’’ press for 40 minutes.

“You look at our team, and let’s just say the starting five is Chris (Lofton), Wayne (Chism), JaJuan (Smith), Ramar (Smith), and Tyler Smith,’’ Howell said. “Then you’ve got Duke (Crews), Josh (Tabb), J.P. (Prince), Ryan (Childress) and myself.

“I think that second five could compete with some top-25 team’s starting five.’’

Slay said Howell is good enough to join him overseas in a professional basketball league if he chooses.

“Jordan runs the floor, controls the team and makes open shots,’’ Slay said. “That’s what you look for, all day long.’’

Indeed, and on Monday and Wednesday nights at Bearden High School, too.

HT Group 84, Toyota Knoxville 71:

Cameron Tatum had 25 points and Crews 23 as the HT Group (2-1) rallied from an 18-point second-half deficit to defeat a depleted Toyota of Knoxville (2-1) team.

Toyota, playing without starters Chris Lofton, Damon Johnson and Andy Tipton, had just six players to the HT Group’s eight.

Lofton, who leads the PRTL with a 40 points-per-game average, is at a Nike Camp in California working with a group that includes Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash.

Pat Walden, the HT Group coach, had his team pressing from the four-minute mark of the first half on.

“I knew the first few minutes of the second half would be crucial, and unfortunately, they went on a run,’’ said Dane Bradshaw, who scored 13 points. “They did to us what Tennessee does to teams, and that’ll wear you down.’’

Tyler Gaskin led Toyota with 20 points.

News Sentinel 118, SunTrust 110: Tyler Smith and . Prince took over the game in the final minutes, scoring the final 15 points at the News Sentinel “Press’’ won going away.

Smith, who capped the game’s scoring with a thunderous 360-degree dunk, led all players with 39 points. Prince added 35 as the News Sentinel improved to 2-1.

Ramar Smith scored 36 points to lead winless SunTrust (0-3).

“A lot of people don’t think this is for real, but I’m getting really mad,’’ Ramar Smith. “Our team is just missing a little height. We need to get more serious on defense. I’m out here to win.’’

Tyler Smith, speaking publicly for the first time since his appeal for immediate eligibility was granted, said he gets more excited about the upcoming season with each day.

“I was very excited to get the news,’’ Tyler Smith said. “My dad called me to tell me, because he was the first person coach (Bruce) Pearl told.’’

East Tennessee State players Courtney Pigram (SunTrust) and Andrew Reed (News Sentinel) did not play.