Kevin Morris figured the 2010-2011 basketball season would be a rebuilding one for his Apalachee High School Wildcats. The coach admitted Tuesday night he didn’t think it would be quite the rebuilding season it turned out to be.
“We thought we had a foundation, but we were still clearing land,” Morris said after his team was eliminated from the Region 8-AAAA tournament with a 69-47 loss to Heritage. “The bad thing is we had played well in three of our last four games but tonight it was outrageous.”
The Patriots, a No. 3 seed, jumped out to a 15-8 lead after the first quarter and then added even more separation by halftime moving in front 36-14. While the Wildcats did play better in the second half and make somewhat of a run, the huge deficit was simply too much for a team which struggled for wins all season. All but one player will return next season.
“This end of the year speech was different than most,” Morris said. “I’ve never been able to tell 12 of the 13 players they will be back next season. We are already thinking about spring and summer and what we are going to do to get better. Next season starts tomorrow. It’s all about working in the weight room and shooting in the gym in the morning. We have to get going.”
Tyler Davis is the lone senior this year for AHS. He scored 12 points against Heritage Tuesday and helped provide a steady hand of leadership for his underclassman teammates.
Rakim Peters finished with 18 points Tuesday night while Cameron Blakely added 12. Both players will return next season.
Morris said the team was effective against Heritage when it was able to work the basketball inside to Morris.
As he has done throughout the season, the Wildcat coach credited his players for their attitude and never giving up during a trying season.
“To their credit, they always came to work with good attitudes,” the coach said. “This is a good group. I hope they learned something about life and something about being young men from this.”
For now, thoughts turn toward preparing for next season for all involved with the program.
“If what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, then we will be a lot stronger for this season,” Morris said.
