Hope is running high in the Village this winter, as the boys basketball team enters the season with a new coaching staff and an eagerness to put their 8-17 record from last year far behind them.
The team comes in with an inexperienced roster featuring nine new varsity players, but new head coach Marlon Brim is confident in the talent on the team:
“I’m really excited about the team this year, the talent they have, the hard work they’ve put in, I think it’s really going to pay off this year,” Brim said.
Last year’s team finished 7th out of eight teams in the conference, although the results were not all bad. The Titans secured a win over conference tournament runner up Reynolds and played many close conference games before they fell short. This year, Brim is certain they have what it takes to compete with the top teams in the conference.
“You should see a different basketball team this year; I believe we can compete with any given team on any given day. The challenge is the mental game- we have to be mentally tough enough to get behind and fight our way back, but I truly believe we have the talent to play with anybody,” Brim said.
A key focus this summer during the offseason for the team was changing the culture. Brim made it clear to the team that improvements were going to be made from last year and to do this they’d have to work extremely hard. The team rose to the challenge and the coach is very proud of the change in culture that has occurred.
“The buy-in from the team has made a big difference, also them recognizing their talent and playing as a family. Also the passion that these kids have for the game, you’re going to see that a lot and it all makes a huge difference,” Brim said.
One area the Titans are short in is senior players. Kennison Moore and AJ Baskerville are the only seniors on the roster entering the season, but the team is certain that they have the leadership necessary to succeed.
“There is no doubt we are kind of young this year, but many of the guys saw the floor last year and have experience playing. I feel like we all lead by example as a team on and off the floor,” senior Kennison Moore said.
The season kicks off on Thursday, Nov. 29 with a home game against Southwest Guilford. The Titans took on the Cowboys last season and lost 56-35. They have also lost their last seven matchups with Southwest Guilford, but to the players it really makes no difference who their opponent is.
“As a team we feel as if we can compete with anyone. The main thing is when the ball is tipped off just play hard and good things will happen,” Moore said, echoing the message being preached by Brim.
It’s shaping up to be an exciting schedule for the Titans. Their home matchups include games against North Forsyth, Parkland, Davie, RJ Reynolds, Ascend Leadership, Lee County, Mount Tabor, Glenn, Reagan and East Forsyth, ahead of the conference tournament beginning Feb. 13.