With the basketball season starting on Dec. 1, there is not much time for the Commerce Tigers to get up to speed before hitting the court.
As the football season ended Friday night, basketball head coach Chad Bridges has this week to get his players into shape for the upcoming season.
“We had a few guys playing football, that did affect our depth in practice,” said Bridges. “It made it more difficult to have as competitive a practice as we could with them. We will work hard with the guys we have to try and make them better and welcome the football players now that their successful season is over.”
The Tigers hope to improve on a 13-13 record from the 2008-09 season. Bridges said Deon Brock and Anthony Norris, two of the team’s key players, are stepping off the football field onto the court. Commerce seeks the same type of motivation on the hardwood that drove the players on the gridiron.
“Hopefully, they will bring that winning mentality with them to the court,” Bridges said of the football players coming out for basketball.
Overall, the team goals remain the same for this season. Bridges wants the Tigers to improve with each performance.
“Our goals for this year … are to get better every game we play and then qualify for the state tournament,” said Bridges.
While Brock and Norris will be two key players Bridges expects Bubba Bonds to deliver a strong presence. According to Bridges, the entire junior class for the Tigers will be crucial throughout the season as Commerce faces stiff competition.
“Athens Christian is the defending region champion and will be good again this year,” said Bridges. “I look for Lakeview, Social Circle and Athens Academy to be good as well, I also expect Hebron Christian to be a good team this year.”
Mixed in with tough region competitors are some non-region rivals. The Tigers will rekindle the Banks County rivalry this year after last season’s break from facing the Leopards. Also ahead is the grudge match between Commerce and Jefferson.
Commerce will host Jefferson in the second game of the season on Dec. 4, their first game in their interim home, the new CHS “practice” gym. Their permanent home, a modern pit-style gym, is under construction along with the rest of the new CHS.
The Tigers open the season Tuesday, Dec. 1, on the road at Johnson. The girls’ game starts at 6:00 p.m., with the Tigers following.
On Friday, Dec. 4, Commerce host Jefferson in the home opener with both Lady Tigers and Tigers playing. Girls tip-off is at 7:00 p.m., with the boys to follow.
