Kevin Morris has been in the coaching game long enough, he has pretty much settled into a routine when it comes to summer work for his Apalachee High School boys basketball team.
The Wildcat mentor traditionally puts his returning players throughout workouts during June and gives them a little time to enjoy their summer. This June was no exception as AHS traveled to the University of Tennessee-Chattonooga before competing in an area league along with East Jackson, Banks County, Commerce and Jefferson. The league was formed by Monroe Area coach and Winder resident Ron Garren.
“We didn’t play a game all summer where we had our complete team,” Morris said. “Rakim Peters hurt his knee and missed summer workouts and Cameron Blakely suffered a cut under his eye early on which kept him out of action. We also didn’t take everyone to camp. It was one of the craziest summers we’ve ever had.”
While the injuries were frustrating to deal with, Morris said the bright spot was they allowed other players a chance to step in and show what they could do on the court.
“Hopefully, that will be an advantage for us at some point,” the coach said.
Overall, AHS competed in 17 games during June. Following work in June, Morris said he “cut the players loose” to continue lifting weights and work on their own.
“I still try to let them be kids and have some summer fun,” the coach said.