Cougars Fall to John Milledge
It was a tough trip to Milledgeville for the Piedmont Academy varsity basketball teams last Friday.
Piedmont’s boys fell 46-25 as John Milledge prevented any Cougar player from scoring in double figures. Chandler Burrell, Mack Brady and Zach Beggs each scored six points for Piedmont. Beggs made both of his baskets from three-point range while Brady had one three-pointer.
The game was close after the first quarter with John Milledge leading 10-7. The Trojans had moved in front 21-10 by halftime.
Jeremiah Dave also scored a three-pointer for Piedmont while Chris McClain and Michael Edwards both finished with two.
“Overall I’m pleased with the boys’ effort to this point,” said coach Michael Wilson said. “We are playing tough defense and rebounding very well which is something we were not very good at last year. Coming into the season, especially since we had little preparation time, it was essential for us to defend well.
“We are doing a better job of not turning it over as well, but we are not shooting the ball very well from inside the three-point line. We are getting a lot of offensive rebounds but failing to convert. It’s a concern, but I hope it can be chalked up to not having much practice time.”
Last season the varsity boys were 0-8 going into January and were averaging 40 points a game while allowing nearly 70.
“This year we have a good chance to have a winning December and that in itself is a reason to celebrate,” Wilson said of the boys. “Our improvement can be easily seen when looking at the stats. We are averaging almost 43 points a game, but our defense is only allowing right under 44 points a game. We’ve improved 26 points a game and our rebounding and ball protection are the biggest reasons. We aren’t giving teams points off turnovers or easy lay ups off their offensive boards.”
“Basketball is a very simple game, teams that rebound well typically do well. What’s hurt us the most is our inability to capitalize on our outstanding offensive rebounding. We are simply missing too many easy put backs in the lane. We need to keep the defensive focus and intensity the same while we get to where we need to be, and where I think we can be, by the time region play starts next month.”
Even during the early portion of the season, the Cougars have shown improvement with various players stepping into leadership roles.
“I think everyone has improved and is playing very well, but I’m extremely pleased with the play of Zach Beggs and Chandler Burrell,” Wilson said. “Beggs is a coach on the court and is doing a very good job of working with his teammates and helping them improve in practice as well as make sure everyone is where they should be on the court. He plays hard when he’s on the court, and the younger players need to take notice of his calmness regardless of the situation.
“Burrell gives us so much. Teams have to respect his scoring so he opens up opportunities for the others on the court but the biggest area I think he helps us in is defensive rebounding. He knows how to get in position and has done an excellent job in the area.
“He’s averaging 15.5 points and 9.4 rebounds a game and while we’ve struggled the last couple of games, we need both of them on the court and involved in the game if we are going to have a chance to win games. If they are struggling I think it falls on me to figure out a way to get them involved productively.”
The Lady Cougars dropped a 55-18 non-region game at John Milledge. Remington Marsh scored six points to lead the team while Cheyenne Galloway scored four. Madison Burnham finished with three points and Amelia Dodson scored two. Haley Tyler added a free throw.
“The girls could very easily be 3-2 if it weren’t for poor foul shooting against Flint River and Covenant,” Wilson said. “I don’t think the girls realize the potential they have on the basketball court. We are very athletic and can cause problems for a lot of basketball teams, especially in our region. I’m confident if they are patient and truly commit to our philosophy they can surprise themselves.”
The coach said the Lady Cougars are being very aggressive offensively.
“We are getting the looks and I think that mentality is important,” Wilson said. “They are averaging 10 points more a game than they were at this point last year. One area we must improve on is from the free throw line. I think good offensive teams go to the foul line a lot during the game and when a team struggles from the line it can wear on their confidence in their ability and as a result they become timid on offense, and I don’t want that to happen to us.”
“Our foul shooting is, for lack of a better word, awful and that comes from their inexperience in basketball games and in basketball in general. Free throw shooting is something that needs to be practiced properly and there are many years of bad habits that we are trying to rid the girls of. It won’t happen over night, but we need to improve each day in that area.”
Piedmont was off Tuesday but will return to action Friday when they face Loganville Christian Academy on the road beginning at 6:30 p.m.
“Much like the boys, this is a process and as a coach I have to keep in perspective it’s not about wins and losses, but about learning from mistakes and improving,” Wilson said.
“They listen, they work hard, and they want to do well, but they’ve faced a pretty challenging schedule so far and have competed well. I don’t want them to be satisfied, but at the same time, I want them to know that teams like Gatewood, Flint River, Covenant, and John Milledge are as talented and well coached as any they will see.
“We have to keep moving forward and realize these games will make us better and more competitive once region roles around and if we do that I have no doubt we will surprise some teams.”
Already this season, leaders have emerged for the Lady Cougars.
“Individually, all the girls are working hard, but I’m very pleased with Cheyenne and her leadership,” Wilson said. “She’s a very calm leader on the court and I’ve got to utilize that. Her demeanor doesn’t change and she does a really good job of not letting outside influences affect her play. She is rebounding for us very well but if there was one thing I’d like to see her do more of that would be take the open shot. At times, I think she may be too unselfish or not confident in her shot but that will come. She’s very coachable and will make a difference in games down the road for us.”
Dodson has also shown leadership on the court.
“Amelia is a player who can do a lot on the court,” her coach said. “She can score, run the court and close down opponents on defense with her quickness and length. I do not really think she understands how physically gifted she is but when it clicks we will be a better team for it.”
“She has natural skills that so many girls basketball players do not have it’s amazing. Sometimes during games Coach (Kirstie) Lewis and I will just elbow each other in amazement at what she does and how easily she does it. She is a player we are going to get the basketball to in space more and just let her do her thing and take it to the basket. As her confidence grows, so will her production and our success.”