Athlete Spotlight: Kendrell Germany

The mistake was understandable.

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A game official, without a roster to set him straight, told Harlem boys basketball coach Kim Chambers the future looked bright for his Bulldogs next season. The official referenced the contributions of Darius Johnson and Kendrell Germany.

Chambers pointed out that No. 10, Germany, would not be back. The Harlem senior, a quiet guard with a slight frame, did what he could his final year in leading Harlem through a tough season.

"We're going to have a hard time replacing him," Chambers said.

Many of Germany's teammates from a season before had been rezoned for Grovetown High. Germany was the only returning player with varsity experience.

He shot almost 45 percent from the field, more than 41 percent from beyond the 3-point line and averaged 13.2 points per game. With Harlem's personnel, and the level of competition in Region 3-AAAA, Germany's performance was lauded.

"He did everything we asked him to do," Chambers said. "And he did the best he could."

Harlem finished the season Feb. 15, a region tournament loss to Cross Creek. The loss was the Bulldogs' 25th of the season.

The team did not win a game, but Germany said the players believed they could win, and that the belief is what helped them through the season.

"We all wanted to win," Germany said. "We all wanted to keep getting better. ... If we were going to lose, we were at least going to lose playing hard."

Said Chambers: "We thought there would be a reward at the end. It just didn't happen."

Germany wasn't without help. Darius "Quail" Johnson added 12 points per game. Johnson also made 54 3-pointers, which Chambers believes is a single-season school record.

Germany was right there, with 43 3-pointers to tie the previous record. He shot the team's best percentage from the field and played all 25 games.

His best effort might have been a 27-point outburst Feb. 2 against Lakeside.

The Bulldogs' staple to start the season had been a motion offense, a variation of which is run by all high school teams. Later in the season, Harlem found success spreading the floor, allowing Germany to drive the lane and either score or kick the ball out to an open man on the wing.

Knocking down open shots was going to be key to any success the Bulldogs might have accomplished, Germany said. When he had an opening, he knew to take it.

Germany said it was difficult listening to people criticize the Bulldogs this season based only on their record, people who had never seen the mostly young Bulldogs in person.

"They kept us encouraged," Germany said of those who attended Harlem's games. "People who saw us knew."