Chappell returns to Longhorns, will be eligible in January

Johnson County basketball coach Ethan Harmon didn't ask Santa Claus for a 1,000-point scorer for Christmas, but that's what was essentially under his tree. Former Longhorn Darren Chappell has boomeranged back home from Cosby, where he'd transferred to last spring. Chappell attended school at Johnson County the final day before Christmas break. He must attend two more days after break before he's eligible to play in a game, although he is eligible to practice with the team. It's a delicate situation for Harmon, who's in his first season coaching the 'Horns. Roles will undoubtedly have to be altered and chemistry will have to be rebooted – just when it felt like things were beginning to take hold. Not that there's any complaint from Harmon, who has decided one thing for certain during these uncertain times. "Darren has a strong place in his heart for Mountain City, for Johnson County High School and for this group of guys," Harmon said. Chappell said family matters is why he has returned, but he's happy to be back. He scored 622 points last season for Austin Atwood's final team, including 31 in a season-loss to Alcoa in the region tournament. "It's very exciting being back home," Chappell said. "Cosby was amazing – the school, the environment and the players and coaches being great to me and welcoming me. It sucks leaving Cosby just because of how close I became with everyone. It's always gonna hold a special place in my life for sure. "Playing under Coach Kurry (Cody) was great. He's an excellent coach that can take any team to a different level." That said, the 6-foot-3 Chappell, who can score inside and out, should be a formidable fit with backcourt mates Carson Jennings and Landin Lipford. "Coming back home is gonna be special playing with Landin Lipford and Carson Jennings again," Chappell said. "It's gonna be very different but I don't think it's anything I can't handle. I'm excited to come back into this program and get to work." Team chemistry and meshing will be rebooted to a certain degree, but being familiar with teammates should accelerate the process. "He's coming into a team that I think is about to find a groove and their roles and everything," Harmon said. "And not only him, but we're getting Hunter Paisley back (from injury) as well." The 'Horns are getting ready to get deeper. If they can mesh by the end of January, February could be memorable. Johnson County took a 72-45 loss at David Crockett on Tuesday. Jennings and Dylan Warren scored 14 points apiece. Harmon commended Crockett coach Sam Tarlton, who's in his first year with the Pioneers after a successful run at Harmon's alma mater, North Greene. "Sam is as respected in this area as anybody, and he had his group ready to go," Harmon said. "I'll take the blame for it; I don't think our guys were prepared and ready to go." Johnson County will play West Caldwell (N.C.) at Freedom High School on Saturday. That'll be followed by a game with Cosby on Dec. 29. Chappell won't be eligible, but it should nonetheless make for an odd scene. "I want to thank everyone at Cosby for showing so much love and trust in me," Chappell said. "It's not how I expected my time there to go and I'm going to miss it so much, but I know it's all God's plan." Note: It was reported last week that Jennings and Lipford scored 27 and 26 points, respectively, in a 102-101 win against Hampton. Lipford scored 30 points and Jennings tallied 25 against the Bulldogs.