Clarke Central High School varsity basketball power forward AJ Lonon, a junior, poses at the ODYSSEY Media Group 2024 Winter Media Day on Jan. 16 in the CCHS Competition Gym. The CCHS boys varsity basketball team held tryouts on Oct. 21 and are now getting ready to begin their 2024-25 season. “Our program goals are set. We won the last three out of four region championships, so our goal is always (to) win the (Classic) City Championship, win the region championship (and) win (the) state championship,” CCHS varsity boys basketball head coach Stefan Smith said. “That’s going to be our goal as long as I’m here as the coach.” Photo by Aza Khan
The CCHS boys varsity basketball team is preparing for the 2024-25 season with their first game of the season on Nov. 12.
The Clarke Central High School boys varsity basketball team have begun preparing for their upcoming 2024-25 season after holding tryouts on Oct. 21. They look forward to their opening match on Nov. 12 against Seckinger High School.
The basketball team began their training over the summer by playing scrimmages and participating in basketball camps with the University of Georgia and LakePoint. In addition to the camps, team members have been participating in strength and conditioning sessions with Clarke Middle School Health and Physical Education teacher Alden Hunter.
“We (are) really excited about the kids and their work ethic (this season). The way they’ve been working hard, they hit the weight room hard and took it seriously. That’s a major plus going into the season,” CCHS varsity boys basketball head coach Stefan Smith said. “I feel good about where we are right now.”
Following the matchup at SHS, the Gladiators will travel to North Oconee High School. Central lost to both teams last season, and aims to turn around their luck going into a new year.
“We’re gonna start off the bat with the top competition. This actually shows (the) guys what we’re trying to get to is where we want to be,” Smith said. “Hopefully one day, if we (play them) again, we won’t be so in awe (it will) be something normal that we (can) do.”
“We (are) really excited about the kids and their work ethic (this season). The way they’ve been working hard, they hit the weight room hard and took it seriously. That’s a major plus going into the season,”
— Stefan Smith,
CCHS varsity boys basketball head coach
Players, such as varsity boys basketball point guard Matthew Collins, a junior, remain confident in the team’s ability even with their tough schedule, and look forward to a bid for the Region 8-AAAAA championship.
“I’m excited about this upcoming basketball season. I feel like we have a great and very disciplined team who (will) put in the work. We’ve played with each other before and have chemistry on and off the court,” Collins said. “We have the team for a successful season as long (as) we (keep) putting in the work, stay focused, perfect (our) game and adhere to coaches.”
