After focusing on several of the girls area programs on Saturday, we caught up with some of the area boys programs that are hoping they are ready to make the jump to playoff basketball in 2024.
Every Northeast Georgia program in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), the Georgia Independent Athletic Association (GIAA), and GAPPS took part in summer workouts, scrimmages, and playing in statewide tournaments.
It was a rough 2022-23 campaign for boys teams in Northeast Georgia. Only 11 teams spanning all three associations made the playoffs. None made it past the second round, with seven getting knocked out in the opening round.
But if summer enthusiasm means anything, several teams could be ready to take a step forward.
(AccessWDUN did not reach out to every program for this story.)
When last we saw West Hall, the Spartans had to win a play-in game to get in the Lanierland tournament. They did go .500 (6-6) in a competitive Region 7-3A but did not make the playoffs. Then, coach Bobby Pless retired from the hardwood, paving the way for former Gainesville coach Chuck Graham to take over the program after he and the Red Elephants parted ways.
So far, it’s been a match made in heaven, as Graham and the Spartans were the talk in some camps around the area and state. It also didn’t hurt that Teryk Tilley, the 6-foot-7 junior center and son of assistant coach Tom Tilley, joined the program in the offseason.
“Coach Pless left the program with a very good foundation,” Graham said. “The program is generating some excitement inside the school and outside. The summer was better than we expected, which I credit the kids for embracing the changes we put in and understanding what we want to do.
“Teryk has potential, but as with every player, there is plenty of room to improve. The kids really worked hard all summer.”
Graham said a key part of his goals for the offseason involved building chemistry between players and with coaches.
“You have to build that chemistry and get the comradery among the players,” he said. “We also wanted to bring in a new level of toughness. The first two weeks of the summer, we spent just evaluating everyone. The last two weeks were just amazing as we saw them improve almost on a daily basis.
“Our goal now will be putting all the pieces together in the fall. I really like where we are, and I’m expecting us to be in the middle of a playoff race.”
Another program with changes at the top was Lakeview Academy. The Lions brought in former Gainesville, Cherokee Bluff, and Buford coach Benji Wood to take over for Tyler Sanders, who led them to the second round of the GIAA playoffs.
The roster did not change, however, as they graduated just one. Wood said there is always a learning curve with a coaching change but felt things moved quicker than usual with this group.
“It’s always a roller coaster the first year,” Wood said. “But these kids have really responded well to what we’re trying to do. I thought our summer went really well.”
Wood said establishing standards and getting everyone on board to his frenetic-pace style were priorities in June.
“First, just getting to know each other as coaches and players and knowing what to expect. Building those standards is the key at any program,” he said. “But playing hard is the main focus, and the kids did that for the most part. It’s a process, but they are coming around. We’re going to push them, and they need it. We’re excited for this year despite being my first one here.”
A pair of Region 8-4A teams that did not make the playoffs -- Cherokee Bluff and East Hall -- are hoping to make that a thing of the past. Both programs look poised to make a jump, though it will be a difficult climb in a region that saw three teams advance to the second round and one -- Madison County -- make it to the Elite 8.
The Bears, who finished 17-9 in 2023, certainly seem in position to make some noise. Coach Josh Travis has his top six players back, including Boston Kersh, and can go eight or nine deep with quality on most nights.
“All of these guys got a ton of experience last year. Our goal was to continue to build that chemistry, and we wanted to create some adversity during the summer with some tough games,” Travis said. “I think we did that, and they handled themselves pretty well. We had a really good summer and progressed on all our goals, so that’s about all you can ask for.”
East Hall’s Joe Dix said his group is already miles down the road from when he arrived back at his old school last year. The Vikings opened last season 1-14 but showed promise with a 6-6 finish.
Dix said the focus during June was getting better on the offensive end, integrating several freshmen and junior varsity players, and improving their overall skills on the court.
“We lost five seniors from last year, but we have some really good, young players, so working them into the system at the speed of this level has been our focus,” Dix said. “I thought we were very competitive during the summer camps. They already have a good idea of what we want to do offensively.
“The focus now until the first game of the season will just be getting the kids to the skill level they need to be competitive. They are making strides, and we feel pretty good overall with how the summer went.”
