Piedmont Boys Usher in Basketball Season
There wasn’t much preparation time, but the Piedmont Academy varsity boys basketball team was set to usher in the new season this week.
The Cougars traveled to Flint River Academy in Woodbury Wednesday for their first game of 2014-2015. The contest was initially scheduled for today, Dec. 4 but was moved up due to Piedmont Academy hosting its annual Christmas program.
“I’m a bit nervous to see how we will start the season with no preseason to speak of,” said coach Michael Wilson earlier this week. “Nine of our team members played football so we only had Monday and Tuesday to reacquaint ourselves before our first game.
I’m not really looking for much in the shape of practice because I know several of them will be really sore from the state championship football game.”
Players on this year’s basketball team will include seniors Hank Strickland, Jeremiah Dave and Zach Beggs, juniors Chandler Burrell, Chris Cain, Chris Coogler and Zach Wilson, sophomores Mack Brady, Michael Edwards, Chris McClain and Zach Sanders and freshmen Talon Anglin and Jackson Waddleton.
“We are a year older, bigger, stronger, faster and with most playing football and baseball, we are fortunate to have tasted victory at the highest levels,” Wilson said. “I think those factors will help us to continue to progress. Last year we really struggled early with taking care of the basketball. I think we improved in that area as the season progressed and I believe that improvement will continue.”
Being physical will be a key for this year’s team.
“If we shore up ball security and play physical defense consistently this year we can have a winning season,” said Wilson. “We are a strong team and need to rely on that. Our opponents cannot be allowed easy attempts and multiple rebounds. This team is going to block out and move bodies out of the lane.”
While the team struggled for victories a season ago, Wilson said part of the reason was due to a brutal schedule and a region in which the Cougars had a tough time competing.
“I think our non-region schedule is a tad more friendly this year and I think we find ourselves in a region that gives us a chance to compete for a spot in the sate tournament,” said the second-year boys coach.
Piedmont is competing in Region 4-AA along with Monsignor Donovan, Windsor, Brentwood and Briarwood.
Individually, Wilson said he is looking forward to seeing Brady run the team on the court.
“I think he has all the skills necessary to be an excellent point guard,” his coach said. “He knows the game, he’s quick, can pass, shoot and drive with anyone he’s going to face this season. Last year as a freshman it was a struggle at times to get him to believe in what he’s capable of and to trust in himself enough to do it in a game situation. After being a key individual on a state championship baseball team and a state runner-up football team, he must begin to realize his skills are special. I honestly don’t think he realizes how good of a basketball player he is.”
Burrell will also be key to the team’s success.
“He’s going to play more inside this year so we can utilize his height and length,” Wilson said. “We all know he can score, but I’m looking for him to be a force defensively throughout the season. His rebounding is often overlooked but his basketball sense is very good and he knows how to be around the ball. If he commits to an all-around game he will turn some heads with what he can do.”
The team will also need strong play from Beggs and Strickland. Their coach said both players made progress during the second half of last season. Beggs and Strickland are the team captains not only for their experience but because their coach said he trusts them and believes in them.
Wilson said a strong summer weight training session should benefit the basketball program.
“Last year we were young and not as strong as many of the teams we played,” Wilson said. “That’s not going to be the case this year. I also want everyone associated with the program to realize that even though most of our players do not play basketball year around like many of the teams we will see this season, we are not going to use that as an excuse.”
Playing with a “chip on their shoulder” is something Wilson wants from his players.
“Everyone must stop making excuses of why we are not in the class of programs such as Gatewood and Furtah Prep in basketball,” the coach said. “Great athletes are great athletes. I will match up anyone on our roster athletically with anyone else we see, regardless of any variables. We have to play with pride in the fact we are representing a great school and a great community who deserves a winning basketball tradition. I want them to play without fear of failure.”
The Piedmont varsity boys will host Young Americans Christian Friday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. and then both varsity teams will travel to Bethlehem Christian Academy Saturday, Dec. 6, for games beginning at 2 p.m.