The squeak of sneakers and the thud of the ball are about to fill the gym as the new basketball season approaches.
The Rebel basketball teams have been lifting weights, running the stadium and working fundamentals to prepare them to act quicker and faster this season.
“From the time school started up until the end of the nine weeks, we’ve been lifting weights, running the stadium, the one agility, biometrics, so we’ve been getting stronger, faster, and quicker,” head coach Terry Bradley said.
The team plans to work the non-conference and build up the team by making improvements every game to get them closer to their main goals, making playoffs and carrying the momentum into state.
“Hopefully we can make it to the playoffs again and go further… Everybody wanted to win a state championship, which is tough, but ultimately, that’s the number one goal,” Bradley said.
The Lady Rebels basketball team is also adjusting to changes as Bradley steps up to be their new head coach, after their former head coach Charles Moore retired. Bradley coached girls in the past so this isn’t new for him.
“I did it for 11 years and so that experience will help me now. The one thing I learned when coaching girls, they try to do what you tell them,” Bradley said.
He feels that his coaching style is the same with both teams, with a lot of hard and hands-on coaching.
Bradley also feels that the momentum from the boys making it to the second round of playoffs last year will help fuel them and encourage the experienced returning players.
“We’re returning some experienced players, and they got a taste of the playoffs, and so we’re using that to fuel them,” Bradley said.
There are 20 boys on the Rebel basketball team with four returning starters, and the Lady Rebels have 16 girls with two returning starters. Assistant coaches include James Burley and Alonzo Lawrence for the boys and Burley and Diamond Campbell for the girls.
The Rebel basketball teams will kick off their season in a jamboree on Nov. 1 and then play in their first home game on Nov. 4 against Stone Co. in the Rudolph Sellers gym.
“We can’t wait to get started. We’re looking forward to getting off to a good start and having a good season,” Bradley said.
