Potts Camp boys showing promise under new head coach
Dec. 21—Allen Ball arrived at Potts Camp in August, right when the school year was getting started.
Since then, the first-year boys basketball coach has been thrilled with the Cardinals' effort in everything they do, especially the seniors.
"It's a veteran-led team with the coaching change," Ball said. "Each one of them has stepped up and committed to wanting to go as far as we can this year."
So far, the fruits of their labor include a 9-4 record and the No. 10 spot in the most recent Daily Journal rankings.
Much of that has come from an offense that averages 68.8 points per game and an aggressive defense. Both operate at a fast pace.
Quntavier Jones leads the team with 20 points a game. Atravion Kimmons isn't far behind with 17.9 and a team-high 10 rebounds.
"We look to try to give them the ball and get it to them and let them facilitate and create," Ball said. "And our other pieces around them, Jamie Muse, Zykeldrick Hamer, they all play well together, it kind of flows seamlessly."
The Cardinals have their sights set on an undefeated record in their region and a region tournament championship. Doing so will involve a complete effort every night.
"We've just got to be more disciplined while we're playing," Ball said. "The main goal is to try to make a state championship run, get over in the playoffs and try to make a run and get to Jackson."
Defensive-minded Bulldogs
New Albany's girls soccer team has been riding its defense to a strong start.
The Bulldogs (8-0, 4-0 in Region 2-4A) have allowed just eight goals all season. That's thanks in large part to the play of center back Heidi Clayton and goalkeeper Lucy King.
"Lucy's a fourth-year starter, and Heidi has really been the catalyst getting those girls going," coach Bert Anderson said. "On the back line with her, we've got three new starters, so Heidi and Lucy have really been the key to it."
King, a junior, has made 37 saves this season with five clean sheets.
What Anderson wants to see in the second half of the season is more consistent offense. New Albany is averaging 3.5 goals per game, and all three of its losses were shutouts. Eighth grader Allie Keller leads the team with 10 goals.
"We have to have the consistency from some goal scorers to be able to go deep in the playoffs," Anderson said. "We're getting there, it's just taking some time to start gelling on that side of it."
The Bulldogs are back in action tonight at Grenada.
Holiday hoops
The week between Christmas and New Year's Day features a full slate of holiday basketball tournaments in the area.
It starts Wednesday with the Peggy Bain Holiday Tournament at Alcorn Central. The two-day showcase will have a total of 25 games, with both the high school and middle school gyms being utilized.
The Gerald Snider Classic is set for next Thursday at Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville. There will be seven boys games and one girls game, capped by Booneville's boys and girls both playing North Panola.
Also Thursday is the start of the Tupelo Christmas Shootout. There will be seven games that day and then six on Friday. Local teams participating include Calhoun City girls, Itawamba AHS girls, Pontotoc girls and Potts Camp boys. Several teams from Alabama are also in the field.
East Webster and Smithville are hosting tournaments next week as well.
