The Gainesville boys have a new head coach but a familiar name taking over this years. Morris Jenkins returns to coaching boys after serving as the head coach of the Gainesville girls the last two seasons.
“(I) really enjoyed my time as the girls coach and thankful I had that opportunity, however when I was offered the boys position I just decided to give boys coaching another shot,” Jenkins said. “Hopefully we can provide good opportunities to our boys program.”
Seniors Garrett Morgan and John Hossman and junior Jaxon Britt return with good varsity experience from last season’s 16-11 squad team. Morgan scored 10.9 points per game last season to lead that group. Britt was just behind him with 7.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. Hossman chipped in 4.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
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Seniors Cody Donly, Ryelon Estes, Dalton Howard along with juniors Jalen Evans, Ben Pointer, Ethan Chapman and sophomores Isaac Hartman and Parker Wise will be seeing expanded varsity roles this season. Bryce Hambelton, Landry Jenkins and Jake Leeker are a group of freshmen that could have an immediate impact.
“(We) should be a versatile team with players able to fill a lot of different roles, giving us a lot of flexibility with our system and lineup,” Jenkins said. “(We) will need to improve our ball handling, team defense/rebounding, and strive to have a good understanding of team strengths.”
Jenkins will look to build off the momentum of last season’s successful year.
“Last year’s Gainesville boy’s teams had good team success, at the JV and Varsity level. We are hopeful of taking the returning players and having a competitive season,” Jenkins said. “Our expectation is to give great effort, demonstrate high character and improve consistently throughout the season. We hope to be a cohesive group that reflects unselfishness and determination night in and night out. We will focus on playing good team defense and offensively we will strive to value the ball and execute to our strengths.”
Gainesville opens the season on Nov. 20 at home against Bakersfield.
