Hurricane Basketball Begins Saturday
Hurricane Basketball will tip off the 2013-2014 season with a home opener against Jackson Saturday.
The varsity Lady Hurricanes will again be coached by veteran coach and former Lady Cane Dionka Davis Jackson. She will be assisted by longtime coach John Hopper.
The varsity boys squad will be coached by Jasper newcomer Allen Atkins. he will be assisted by former Cane Steven Hopper.
Mr. Atkins takes great honor to be coaching at Monticello High School and has enjoyed getting to know the staff, community, students, and players.
The 2013-2014 Hurricane boys include seniors Yuri Clay, Traquavious Jackson, Jaylan Sands, J’Quavious Thurmond; juniors Avery Davis, Diquan Johnson, Quinton Standifer; sophomores De’Miria Glover, Jakari Middlebrooks, Jordan Stone; and freshman Shakur Sands.
“I am expecting big things from these young men. Discipline is always the key,” said Coach Atkins. “We have some good experience returning to the varsity and so that should help us a lot.”
As far offensive strategy the varsity coach had plans to maximize each player’s strength.
“Playing unselfish and knowing their roles will be the key to the offense. I am happy to see an offense that I have a mix of shooters, slashers, and low posts men.”
“Defensively, we must talk to one another and play aggressively. We must always remember to block out and rebound. I have constantly talk to the players about seeing their man and the ball, and getting to help quickly, he commented.
“The players know that their teammates will be there to help them, but I want them guarding their man as if they are the only two on the court and they have to keep them from scoring.”
Coach Atkins said that many of his varsity players have expressed their desire to make a name for themselves and reach state. He stressed that happens by taking one game at a time and playing hard and smart for 32 minutes.
“I have told them if you win four quarters you will win the game, if you win three out of four quarters you still may lose the game.”
Translation: play every quarter and every second as though the outcome of the game depended on it.
The B-team squads will also be action Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. followed by the varsity at 6 pm.
Next week the varsity teams will take to the road traveling to G.M.C. on Friday, Nov. 29 and to Greene County on Saturday, Nov. 30. Varsity squads will tip-off at 7 p.m. both nights.