If one looked inside the heart and soul of Kevin Morris, one would likely find a few basketballs, perhaps a clipboard and the pounding of a coach who knows there are more important parts to his profession than drawing up a play to run coming out of a timeout.
It’s all about being a coach and the veteran Apalachee High School boys basketball mentor has seen a great deal in his time with the Wildcats. Two Final Four appearances, some thrilling wins, some disappointing losses and some of life’s toughest lessons are part of what Morris deals with on a daily basis.
Morris has provided stability at AHS and through the natural ups and down, has become a constant in front of the Wildcat bench. An emotional leader to say the least, the term “leader” describes Morris, but in some ways only scratches the surface.
Apalachee High School varsity boys basketball coach Kevin Morris shows the emotion he feels during a game as he directs the Wildcats. Morris, who has experienced a high level of success since taking over the AHS program, knows there is more to be a high school basketball coach than just games and practices. - Photo by Jessica Brown
Wildcats' Morris deals with more than hoops
THE BEGINNING
Morris began his coaching career at Stephens County working under long-time Indians coach Geep Cunningham. Initially he was a student teacher working with Cunningham teaching algebra.
“Kevin did such a good job teaching that it was easy to sell the principal on hiring on for a position in the fall as a math teacher and assistant basketball coach,” the long-time Stephens County mentor said.
Morris worked as ninth grade coach, JV mentor and a varsity assistant but he realized in order to be a varsity head coach he would have to move on one day.
“Coach Morris did a great job for us not only as a teacher but also in his coaching duties,” Cunningham said. “He was very serious but at he same time, knew how to have fun in the job. I couldn’t have asked for a better assistant coach but even more important he was a great friend. Kevin played a major role in any and all successes we had at Stephens County.”
Cunningham remembers when it came time for his pupil to move on.
“It was both a sad and happy day when he told me he was taking a position at Apalachee,” Cunningham said. “I knew it was the right thing for him to do and I supported him 100 percent in the move. At the same time, I was going to miss him being there beside me.”
Years later, the Stephens County coach has pride in the fact Morris has become such a staple of the AHS community, for basketball and as a whole.
“I take great pride in the fact that I was able to help get Coach Morris started in his basketball and teaching careers and always look forward to following his teams,” Cunningham said. “Apalachee is very lucky to have Coach Morris on their staff.”
MOVING
TO AHS
Jarris Hayes, who had been Morris’ principal at Hart County, was the initial principal at Apalachee.
Dan Woschitz was the head coach of the Wildcats at the time but before long an interesting role reversal was about to take place.
Woschitz and his family adopted children from overseas. Due to his family committments, Woschitz needed more time to spend with his now larger family. In essence, Woschitz and Morris switched places.
Years later, the two are still working together with Morris as the head coach and Woschitz as the lead assistant.
Now in his 8th year at AHS, Morris said “success came early” with back-to-back Final Four appearances.
“I’m thinking, ‘this is a piece of cake’ but in reality I know we had a lot of good players,” Morris said. “It makes it easy when you have a player like 6-9 Tyler Whatley out there to give the basketball to.”
INTENSITY
A cartoonist could have a field day drawing Morris in action.
The Wildcat coach is animated on the sidelines, whether questioning a call or letting his players know they just made a good play or missed an assignment.
“To say I’m intense is putting it midly,” Morris said. “I was actually a lot worse when I first started. Some kids do not do very well with that type of coaching. What makes a good coach is to know what buttons to push for each kid.”
The AHS coach stresses defense.
“Everyone says you win with defense and that’s because you are going to have nights off on the offensive end,” he said. “Whatever the reason you may have for being off offensively, defense is just effort. You are the only one who can control what you are going to do defensively.”
While wins have been harder to come by at times in 2009-2010, that only makes them more enjoyable when they do happen.
“You find yourself working harder,” Morris said. “When you do get a win you see the kids light up. It means so much to them. We had a late start this season (because of the football playoffs) but we’ve always peaked late.”
The coach noted AHS was the No. 3 seed in the region both Final Four seasons and two years later was the No. 4 seed and almost upset the No. 1 seed.
MEMORABLE
MOMENTS
For some coaches, the moments etched in their minds are buzzer beating wins or trips to the Final Four. Morris knows about those types of memories, but he places a higher emphasis on more important things.
For example, take Jeremy Peeples, the AHS player who was paralyzed in a automobile accident. The player who was all set to be the team’s starting point guard left a lasting impression on Morris and his teammates.
“After his injury, companies stepped up to work on his house to make it wheelchair accessible at no cost,” Morris said. “In turn, Jeremy responsed very well. That’s how you learn about life. He always stayed positive. I still talk to him on a regular basis.”
Peeples is now a student at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton.
Also important to Morris and the AHS basketball family is Jesse Martin, whom the coach said “takes care of us too.”
“Seeing his smiling face every day is a blessing,” he said. “To see how well everyone accepts him means a great deal.”
PART OF
THE FAMILY
AHS principal David McGee, himself a former varsity basketball coach, believes in a family environment both in the classroom and for the Wildcat athletic programs.
He knows he has that in Morris.
“Kevin is an outstanding young man as well as basketball coach,” McGee said. “He teaches and preaches fundamentals, dedication, team, discipline, and representing our school. He is dedicated to the entire school and athletic department which makes him a very important part of the CHEE.”
Morris began his coaching career at Stephens County working under long-time Indians coach Geep Cunningham. Initially he was a student teacher working with Cunningham teaching algebra.
“Kevin did such a good job teaching that it was easy to sell the principal on hiring on for a position in the fall as a math teacher and assistant basketball coach,” the long-time Stephens County mentor said.
Morris worked as ninth grade coach, JV mentor and a varsity assistant but he realized in order to be a varsity head coach he would have to move on one day.
“Coach Morris did a great job for us not only as a teacher but also in his coaching duties,” Cunningham said. “He was very serious but at he same time, knew how to have fun in the job. I couldn’t have asked for a better assistant coach but even more important he was a great friend. Kevin played a major role in any and all successes we had at Stephens County.”
Cunningham remembers when it came time for his pupil to move on.
“It was both a sad and happy day when he told me he was taking a position at Apalachee,” Cunningham said. “I knew it was the right thing for him to do and I supported him 100 percent in the move. At the same time, I was going to miss him being there beside me.”
Years later, the Stephens County coach has pride in the fact Morris has become such a staple of the AHS community, for basketball and as a whole.
“I take great pride in the fact that I was able to help get Coach Morris started in his basketball and teaching careers and always look forward to following his teams,” Cunningham said. “Apalachee is very lucky to have Coach Morris on their staff.”
MOVING
TO AHS
Jarris Hayes, who had been Morris’ principal at Hart County, was the initial principal at Apalachee.
Dan Woschitz was the head coach of the Wildcats at the time but before long an interesting role reversal was about to take place.
Woschitz and his family adopted children from overseas. Due to his family committments, Woschitz needed more time to spend with his now larger family. In essence, Woschitz and Morris switched places.
Years later, the two are still working together with Morris as the head coach and Woschitz as the lead assistant.
Now in his 8th year at AHS, Morris said “success came early” with back-to-back Final Four appearances.
“I’m thinking, ‘this is a piece of cake’ but in reality I know we had a lot of good players,” Morris said. “It makes it easy when you have a player like 6-9 Tyler Whatley out there to give the basketball to.”
INTENSITY
A cartoonist could have a field day drawing Morris in action.
The Wildcat coach is animated on the sidelines, whether questioning a call or letting his players know they just made a good play or missed an assignment.
“To say I’m intense is putting it midly,” Morris said. “I was actually a lot worse when I first started. Some kids do not do very well with that type of coaching. What makes a good coach is to know what buttons to push for each kid.”
The AHS coach stresses defense.
“Everyone says you win with defense and that’s because you are going to have nights off on the offensive end,” he said. “Whatever the reason you may have for being off offensively, defense is just effort. You are the only one who can control what you are going to do defensively.”
While wins have been harder to come by at times in 2009-2010, that only makes them more enjoyable when they do happen.
“You find yourself working harder,” Morris said. “When you do get a win you see the kids light up. It means so much to them. We had a late start this season (because of the football playoffs) but we’ve always peaked late.”
The coach noted AHS was the No. 3 seed in the region both Final Four seasons and two years later was the No. 4 seed and almost upset the No. 1 seed.
MEMORABLE
MOMENTS
For some coaches, the moments etched in their minds are buzzer beating wins or trips to the Final Four. Morris knows about those types of memories, but he places a higher emphasis on more important things.
For example, take Jeremy Peeples, the AHS player who was paralyzed in a automobile accident. The player who was all set to be the team’s starting point guard left a lasting impression on Morris and his teammates.
“After his injury, companies stepped up to work on his house to make it wheelchair accessible at no cost,” Morris said. “In turn, Jeremy responsed very well. That’s how you learn about life. He always stayed positive. I still talk to him on a regular basis.”
Peeples is now a student at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton.
Also important to Morris and the AHS basketball family is Jesse Martin, whom the coach said “takes care of us too.”
“Seeing his smiling face every day is a blessing,” he said. “To see how well everyone accepts him means a great deal.”
PART OF
THE FAMILY
AHS principal David McGee, himself a former varsity basketball coach, believes in a family environment both in the classroom and for the Wildcat athletic programs.
He knows he has that in Morris.
“Kevin is an outstanding young man as well as basketball coach,” McGee said. “He teaches and preaches fundamentals, dedication, team, discipline, and representing our school. He is dedicated to the entire school and athletic department which makes him a very important part of the CHEE.”
Trackbacks
Trackback specific URI for this entry
No Trackbacks