At Auburn, size can be deceiving.

Boys basketball coach Al Giannone said his team lacks the height of previous years. But, they do a heck of a job making up for it.

Jimmy Pitts is your prototypical big man. At 6-foot-6, the lanky junior has the footwork, defensive presence, and ability to finish around the hoop that you'd expect from a dominant center.

Damien Whitaker isn't your prototypical big man. At 6-foot-1, he's as strong as the players he defends, maybe a step quicker, but he's just a bit undersized.

While no mirror images of one another, the Maroons' duo forms one of the most dangerous and productive frontcourts in Section III.

Both Pitts and Whitaker are averaging double-doubles. Pitts is second on the team in points (13.2) and first in rebounding (11.1), while Whitaker is third (10.7) and second (10.3), respectively.

“Damien just plays so hard all the time,” Giannone said. “I don't care whether it's a drill at practice or a game, he's always going at it. He plays much bigger than he is.

“Jimmy is just a rebounding machine. He gets to the glass real well.”

Pitts, a transfer from Jamesville-Dewitt, made an immediate impact at the varsity level. His rim-rattling dunks have helped him emerge as a fan favorite while his ability to score in the paint (53 percent field-goal shooting) has resulted in a number of double-teams.

“We did not see him last year; he played JV at J-D, but he's improved this year,” Giannone said. “He's a much better defensive player and offensively he finishes plays inside. He's so explosive. He's got a bright future at the college level. He just flies. I really think he's just starting to reach his potential.”

It didn't take teams long to realize they can't focus all their interior defense on Pitts. Whitaker entered the season as a defensive stopper, with a notable performance limiting all-state CBA guard Mike Goodman to just six points through three quarters in a game Dec. 12.

But it wasn't until a 20-point output against Ithaca when Whitaker started to become a force offensively. He followed up that game with a 23-point, 16-rebound effort in a win over Bishop Ludden.

In fact, Giannone likes to tell a story involving Whitaker in the Bishop Ludden game. The junior missed a free throw and the ball was tipped behind the backboard. Out of no where, Whitaker soared in, out-hustled every one for the rebound but had gone so far he traveled past the baseline out of bounds.

“And he was the free-throw shooter,” Giannone boasts. “You blink your eye and he's there.”

The bolstered inside play has had an effect on the play of Auburn's guards as well. Dave Foltz and Travis McLeod have been able to get more open looks because defenders have to box out Pitts and Whitaker.

It was only a matter of time before opposing teams quit double-teaming against the Maroons.

“You've got to play us straight up,” Giannone said. “If you focus on the guards our big guys will hurt you. If you double down low our guards will hurt you. They complement each other so well.”

Giannone is even more impressed with the team-oriented philosophy of both big men. Pitts leads the team in blocks (42) while Whitaker is typically assigned the role of guarding the opposition's best player.

“Damien's told me he loves locking people up,” Giannone said.

With all of their options, both offensively and defensively, the Maroons have a bright future and are well-equipped for postseason play. They don't have a true go-to player, but that's an advantage as opposing teams are forced to guard the entire team, rather than one player.

“Every game it's really a full team effort,” Giannone said. “Our game plan every game is just to go out and play. We'll take what they give us - we're not guard-oriented or big guy-oriented. We're going to take advantage of mismatches and find the open guy. I think that's the sign of a good team.”