As Memorial made its run through the UIL 5A playoffs a season ago, Kenneth Lofton Jr. pretty much knew he would step up the following season as a post.

He was elevated to the varsity roster just in time for the bi-district round. That gave him a chance to study the work of then-sophomore Nate Clover on the low blocks on what was then a guard-heavy ballclub.

“I just followed Nate’s lead and [looked] at everything he had to do,” Lofton said. “I would just follow it next year.”

Halfway into the season, Lofton has matched Clover’s example and perfected the art of controlling the glass on both ends of the court.

“Most people don’t like to rebound,” said Lofton, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound junior. “I had to take the part. So, me and Nate rebound all the balls and everything.”

Never was Lofton’s rebounding game on bigger display than earlier this month in a tournament at Cypress-Fairbanks.

In the first game against Arlington Bowie, Lofton pulled down 18 rebounds to go with a team-high 24 points in a 55-48 victory. The next game against Spring, Lofton had 18 boards again — matching his point total, in a 71-68 win.

“He was a glass-eater,” Titans coach Alden Lewis said. “Everything that was coming off the rim, he was going to get. I guess he woke up that day saying he was going to get everything he possibly can.”

Lofton, who averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds and three assists per game through Dec. 18, got just what the Titans (11-6, 1-1 in 21-5A) needed to win.

“For the first game [at Cy-Fair], the big man, Nate, he didn’t play, so I had to contribute and do both of the things we normally do,” Lofton said. “I had to do what we had to do to win.”

Lofton apparently has the mental aspect of basketball down pat.

“He’s just growing up,” Lewis said. “He grew up the most as far as competing, as far as mentality. He got a stronger mentality. Mental toughness is everything.”

Clover has witnessed the work over the summer and fall Lofton put in to become another inside presence. Last season’s Titans won the state championship by shooting well from mid- and long ranges in addition to attacking the rim in scoring off turnovers.

This time, opponents have more than a talented backcourt to worry about with Lofton and Clover on the floor.

“Our first look is always inside out,” Clover said. “We always go down low. Guards always know to come down to us, and we’ll kick it out to them if we get doubled or something.”

The way Lofton’s been rebounding, he won’t just need to wait on a pass to get the ball down low.

“Rebound the ball and score, put it back, and that’ll help my team to win games because most people don’t like to rebound,” he said.

I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews