GAYLESVILLE – Second-year Gaylesville basketball coach Corey Head is hoping some of the Trojans’ football success rubs off on his programs.
The football team just completed a 6-5 season. It was their first winning record and playoff berth since 2013.
“We’re excited to build on what we created last year and with what we’ve been able to do in football, just carry it on to where we’re consistent,” Head said. “We want that consistency night in and night out, but that takes time.”
Like the Trojan football team did, The Trojan boys basketball team will rely on seniors Michael Reynolds, Hunter Penney and Jacob Gordon to help carry them. Gordon is the Trojan point guard.
Six-foot-3 junior forward Keylon Higgins provides the Trojans a physical presence on the inside.
Beyond those four players, the rest of the Trojan roster spots are up for grabs.
“We’re still not sure number-wise who’s going to be where, but we’ve got a lot of kids coming back,” he said. “Tanner Eads is coming back off an injury. We’ll get him at some point this year. Kyler Bradley had a good season at times for us last year, but then we just have to find some bodies to fill in.”
Head noted that sophomore Brandon Sharp and freshman Collin Hendon both had good summers on the court. Junior Seth Lee and eighth grader Cooper Bradley could also see playing time.
On the girls’ team, a lot is expected from seniors Star Mayes, Peyton Bright and Paislee Bryson.
Junior Shonda Epps provides the Lady Trojans a big presence inside the paint. Junior Delaney Coker, sophomores Jayden Dobbins and Gracie Dawson, and freshman Aubrie Peek provide the Lady Trojans with depth.
“We had four wins last year, and this year we want to try and double that at least, and then go from there,” Head said. “The thing about these girls is they’re good kids. They want to work. They want to get better. We’re just trying to build a day-by-day thing with them too.”
Assisting Head on the Trojan coaching staff is Braedy McCoy, Curt Hendon and former Spring Garden basketball player Draevan Bowman.
The Trojans compete in Class 1A, Area 13 along with Cedar Bluff, Skyline, Woodville and Valley Head. Gaylesville opens the 2021-22 season against Crossville on Nov. 18.
“Our motto this year is not to have any regrets,” Head said. “We always talk about that with seniors, but we talked to both the boys and the girls about no regrets. When it’s over, we know that every day we’ve done the best that we possibly can. Am I better at the end of practice than I was when I started?
“We’re excited about where we are and think we’re going to get better. We’re going to work hard. That’s the bottom line with these kids. It’s going to pay off.”