Friday March 29th, 2024 10:08AM

Q&A: Pittman trying to bring Tigers back into the spotlight

By Jeff Hart Sports Reporter

DAWSONVILLE — From 2012-14, the Dawson County boys basketball team was as consistent as any team in the northeast Georgia area. The Tigers won 61 games and made three consecutive state playoff appearances, including advancing to the second round twice.

But thanks to graduations and injuries, the program slipped to a losing record in the 2014-15 season and then just a .500 season the following year with neither team getting out of the region tournament.

The Tigers brought in Chad Pittman in 2016 and despite another .500 finish (14-14) the Tigers managed their first state tournament berth since 2014, albeit with a loss in the first round.

Now, two years into the rebuild, Pittman and the Tigers seem poised to begin another period of sustained success. They sit 14-6 overall and 6-2 in a rugged Region 7-AAA, good for second place, with four games remaining in the regular season.

And despite a current two-game losing streak, a winning record is assured for the first time since 2014. A high region seeding and a tough schedule overall has Pittman hoping that they can nab one of the four spots for the upcoming state tournament.

AccessWDUN sports reporter Jeff Hart caught up with Pittman to discuss the Tigers’ latest round of success and how the program is moving along.


QUESTION: Coach, when you got here the program had slumped to a bottom-tier team in Region 7-AAA. What did you see that needed to be changed?

ANSWER: Really not a whole lot. They had graduated a lot of good players, and they were probably more in a transition period than anything else. The tradition had been here and I just thought bringing back that confidence that they can win on any given night was the biggest thing.


Q: That being said, when coaches are trying to reload or rebuild a program, are wins and losses a good measure of things progressing?

A: It can be but you also have to look at what goes into the schedule. Last year we lost eight games that came down to either the last possession or one or two possessions. We were close in a lot games. I’m not so much worried about the wins and losses per se. You want to win every game, of course, but it’s really more about preparing for the tournament. We finally got out of the region last year and made the (state) tournament so that was a positive step. We didn’t get a win in the state tournament but (the kids) saw what that was like.


Q: Last year you had a winning record in region play (7-5) for the first time in three seasons. How much did that help the confidence of your group as it got ready for this season?

A: We were a young team overall and we still are in some respects. We returned a lot of guys this year that now had that experience of success and that has helped. We’re also playing a little better, at least until the last couple of weeks, which I think is because they know what to expect. But I also think our schedule is preparing us better as well.


Q: Speaking of the schedule, you put several higher-classification teams in your non-region portion like Dunwoody, Collins Hill, Jefferson, Blessed Trinity, Forsyth Central to name a few. Not to mention a tough and balanced 7-AAA schedule. How has all that contributed? [The Tigers beat Jefferson, White County, and West Hall but lost to Blessed Trinity and to Collins Hill in 3 overtimes.]

A: We tried to put together a rigorous set of games. We wanted to challenge the guys. The more you play the better teams the better you usually get. Again, I wasn’t worried about wins or losses. We felt that the more good teams they see, that would help with their development. I think we’re starting to see that in the younger guys, who are getting significant minutes.


Q: The team is still senior-driven with four seniors starting, but it is also a small team with your tallest player being Cullen Reed at 6-foot-3. What matchup challenges do y’all face and create against other teams? [Sr. Cullen Reed, 16.7 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 3.2 assists per game, leads team in steals, deflections, blocked shots, and charges taken; Sr. Jeremiah Crumley, 15.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.4 apg. Both Reed and Crumley eclipsed the 1,000-point barrier for their careers.]

A: Most nights when we get off the bus and walk into the gym we probably don’t pass the eye-test because of our size. We’re probably not as athletic as most of the teams we play. We have to do the little things well to win. Big teams obviously give us trouble. This group is quick and can shoot well. We’re very good when we’re able to get out in transition and run, and that is an area we feel we can create some matchup problems for other teams. But the older kids have seen a lot in their time and we can grind out things when we need to. But, again, we have to do the little things and play as a team. These guys for the most part have done that.


Q: Despite the success so far this season, is there still a little of the David vs. Goliath mentality with this group?

A: Last year I think there was a lot of that. We showed people at times last year that we could play. Some nights this year, like against (Greater Atlanta Christian) and Collins Hill, we were definitely David. We were trying to find a rock big enough. But so far this year on most nights I haven’t felt that way. I think we’re more competitive overall, and I think that is showing up in the wins and losses.


Q: You have six sophomores and freshmen combined on the roster and start one sophomore in Campbell Reed (11.3 ppg). Building any program involves developing the younger players. With such a big group of underclassmen seeing significant and productive floor time, you must feel good about where the program is right now?

A: The younger guys are getting time on the floor, and we’re very pleased with their progress overall. Some of them got significant time as freshmen, like Campbell, and they’re coming along. I feel everything is moving in the right direction. I’m proud of where we’re at right now.


Q: With that, is it important at this stage of things to not only make the playoffs but begin to win in the playoffs?

A: Well, we hope we can build on last year. That is really the next step for us. The kids made team goals about taking ownership of the program. They wanted to do well during the season and in the region tournament. But they also said they wanted to win in the playoffs. But first, you have to have good players and we feel we do. You can’t have success in the playoffs without getting there and that is the first step. Hopefully we can do that. Then, like all teams, we’ll need a little luck and get some breaks.

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