David Peavy talks Anthony Black, Ron Holland and Cameron Barnes

Duncanville, Texas – Head coach David Peavy arguably has the best team he has put on the court at Duncanville High led by Anthony Black, Ron Holland and Cameron Barnes.

And that is saying something considering the Panthers have gone 90-13 the last three seasons with two 6A state championships. The only reason it’s not three in a row is the 2019-20 season was cut short due to COVID. 

The Panthers are again the prohibitive favorite to take home the 6A crown with the playoffs set to begin. Duncanville is 28-1 headed into the playoffs led by a trio of national recruits. 

Peavy sat down with On3 Friday to talk Black, Holland and Barnes. 

Anthony Black’s ascending in a short period of time

On3 Consensus 5-star guard Anthony Black has endured more downs than ups as senior at Duncanville in a fight for his eligibility throughout the season. 

With that said, the near 6-foot-7 combo guard has never stopped putting in the work since transferring to the 6A powerhouse. 

“AB has really grown in the few months we’ve had him,” Peavy told On3 Friday. “We knew that we need to work with him on playing through contact, keeping balance working through the lane and playing with pace. Playing more downhill too. He’s an elite downhill point guard. He’s sees the floor better than anyone I have ever coached, and that includes D.J. Augustin. He’s really athletic and has gotten more athletic since he got here. AB has gotten a lot stronger with our strength and conditioning program. He’s got a chance to be a really, really special player.” 

Black’s recruitment could be coming to a conclusion in the coming weeks. Arkansas, TCU, Gonzaga and others are duking it out for his signature. 

Peavy on Ron Holland’s improvement

On3 Consensus 4-star Ron Holland burst onto the national radar as a freshman playing for the Panthers, and the AAU prior to high school. 

The 6-foot-8 forward has ascended on the floor as a junior with an expanding game, along with a very key aspect to performing at a high level. 

“His maturity from last year to this year. We have a long ways to go with Ron, and he knows it. He’s making the improvements he needs to. He’s staying more locked in, and controlling his emotions better. And that’s really helped with his development.”

Holland becoming a perimeter threat was needed heading into the season. Headed into the playoffs, he’s become a more difficult player to defend. 

“Ron works really hard, and people don’t realize that. He takes his skill development very seriously, and you can see that now in his ability to hit the perimeter shot. His three-point shooting has taken him to another level. He’s always been a high energy, high motor, but now he can step out and shoot the three. And that has caused some problems for everybody trying to guard him.” 

Holland’s recruitment is also picking up even more national steam. Visits to UCLA, Oregon, Arkansas and Texas. He’s already made a visit to Memphis. And Kentucky is definitely possible. 

Seeing growth in Cameron Barnes 

The 6-foot-10, 200-pound Barnes is beginning to show a more complete skill set on a more consistent basis. 

“Cam is becoming the kid we thought he could be. He’s always been a super talented, really athletic kid that hasn’t really used his athleticism. And now he’s starting to learn how to be athletic. He’s getting a lot more confident in what he is doing. It’ becoming really fun to watch his progression.” 

Barnes offer list is closing in on double digits. TCU and Oklahoma are doing a terrific job of daily communication with the 4-star junior. 

Duncanville features a half dozen future DI players

The Panthers team is much more than the three most coveted prospects. The squad is made up of at least seven future DI players, including four for sure that will be high-major recruits. 

Point guard C.J. Ford signed with Northern Arizona in the early period. He’s one of the top on the ball defenders in the state, and country. Ford did the best pressuring the4 ball against Montverde Academy as anyone has this season in a Duncanville one-point victory. 

Small forward Davion Sykes signed with Texas State in the early period. The 6-foot-5 forward is skilled, plays away from the ball without waste motion and guards the ball on the defensive end. 

Combo guard Aric Demings is working to develop as a point guard. Right now, he’s a bucket getting machine with favorable matchups on the court with Ford, Black, Holland and Barnes or Davion Sykes. Demings has offers from UT-RGV and Morgan State currently. Boston College made the trip to Duncanville recently to watch him in person. 

Shooting guard Kayden Edwards is one of the most talented freshmen in the Lone Star State. The 6-foot-3 left-hander can shoot the three off the catch or bounce. He has flashed a floater and short jumper in the paint this season. He’s doesn’t play big minutes, but is productive when on the floor.