New Coach Takes Helm for Cougars
The Piedmont Academy varsity boys basketball program will have a long-time successful coach leading the team during the 2015-2016 season.
Alan Richardson will make his coaching debut with the Cougars and makes a return to the sport for the first time since 2001. Richardson last served as the varsity boys coach at Winder-Barrow High School.
With the season opener at hand, Richardson, his coaches and players have all been preparing for the new campaign today, Dec. 3, against Gatewood at home at 7:30 p.m.
“We are definitely progressing,” Richardson said. “We still have a long ways to go. We aren’t opening the schedule with a cupcake. At this point, physically you still have a lot of work to do. We also have to be mentally tough. We want to have the attitude that we aren’t going to give into anybody we play, regardless of who they are.”
Throughout his successful coaching career, Richardson has also taught his players to play their best whether they are “up by 30 points or down by 30.”
“Regardless of the situation, we are going to play hard,” the coach said. “That’s always been a mark of teams I’ve coached and I don’t think this team will be any different.”
Richardson had to leave the coaching profession due to family health issues, including his own health, but said earlier this week that being able to lead Piedmont’s varsity boys program has been a “breath of fresh air.”
“I am thoroughly enjoying working with these kids,” he said.
Piedmont will likely use several players during the early season games.
Returning seniors include Chandler Burrell, Chris Cain, Zach Wilson and Chris Coogler. Tanner Casey is a new member of the team but the senior stands 6-6 and his coach said he has “good moves around the basket.”
Mack Brady, Michael Edwards and Chris McClain will lead a group of talented guard play this season. McClain will likely be one of the first subs in the game and may even be in the starting lineup at times, Richardson said, when the Cougars need to press and have a quicker team on the court.
Three of the team’s post players will miss the first two games due to commitments for the school’s football team and shotgun team. Wilson and Cain will be playing in the GISA All-Star football game this weekend while Joseph Anderson will be at the state clay shooting tournament.
Richardson expressed appreciation for the work of his coaching staff which includes Donnie Coe, Mike McCart and Ron Holder.
Following today’s season opener, Piedmont will also host Nathanael Greene Friday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. The Middle School boys will also play Thursday and Friday at home at 4:30 p.m. each day.