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The 2012-2013 season came to an end for the Apalachee High School boys basketball team last week, but not before the Wildcats capped a turnaround which certainly falls under the “remarkable” category.

For those of us who have been around that long, we remember how a young AHS squad struggled as they recorded just one victory two years ago.

Coach Kevin Morris, however, was one who saw the bigger picture and was able to look down the road at what was likely to transpire. [Full Story »] 

The Apalachee High School boys basketball team fell in the opening round of the Class AAAAA state tournament Wednesday 57-40 to New Manchester.

Cameron Blakely closed out his career for the Wildcats with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Kamar Baldwin added 11 points, six rebounds and four steals.

AHS finishes the season 18-10 overall and was the No. 4 seed from Region 8-AAAAA.

See the Feb. 27 edition of the Barrow Journal for more details and a recap of the past season for Apalachee.

The Apalachee High School boys basketball has one final obstacle in its way of qualifying for state.

The Wildcats will face Cedar Shoals in a Region 8-AAAAA tournament Wednesday. The winner assures itself of a spot in state while the loser will see its season come to an end. AHS enters the game 16-7 overall. AHS and Cedar Shoals split the regular season series with the Jaguars winning 55-50 on Nov. 27 and the Wildcats taking a 64-60 overtime win Jan. 11.

The two teams also met in the quarterfinals last season with Cedar Shoals winning 71-70.

This year's Region 8-AAAAA tournament is being played at AHS.

The Apalachee High School boys basketball team was clicking on all cylinders Friday against visiting Monroe Area.

The Wildcats rolled to a 91-60 victory in non-region play as coach Kevin Morris’ team prepares for the final stretch of the regular season. Both Morris and AHS assistant Dan Woschitz said after the win the 91 points were the most in recent memory for the Wildcats and possibly could have been a program record. The 91 points topped the previous season high of 81, which happened against North Oconee and Gainesville earlier during the 2012-2013 campaign.

All 13 players were in the scoring column for the Wildcats Friday. Cameron Blakley had 17 points and 13 rebounds and was one of the team’s seniors recognized. Fellow senior Qua Cleveland had seven points and seven assists while Ramim Peters finished with 10 points and seven boards. [Full Story »] 

With his team having tasted defeat for only the second time in its past 13 games, Apalachee High School coach Kevin Morris stressed the importance of his players remaining focused down the final stretch of the regular season.

The Wildcats, who were 13-4 overall and 7-4 in Region 8-AAAAA entering this week’s action, fell to visiting Gainesville Friday 63-53. While AHS defeated Gainesville 81-65 early in the season, the Red Elephants were missing several team members who were still involved in the football state playoffs.

“They were missing a lot and are much improved,” Morris said. “We also didn’t play our best. We didn’t execute well in our half court offense. It was one of those games where a lot of things didn’t bounce our way.” [Full Story »] 

The stretch run of the 2012-2013 season is shaping up to be something special for the Apalachee High School Wildcats.

Coach Kevin Morris saw his team defeat Clarke Central 66-63 on the road Tuesday night to improve to 7-3 in Region 8-AAAAA and 13-3 overall. The win avenged a 17-point loss AHS suffered to Clarke Central back on Nov. 30.

Cameron Blakely scored the final four points for the Wildcats, all from the free throw line. He finished the game with an impressive 18 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks. Blakley has three double-doubles in the last four games for AHS. [Full Story »] 

The Apalachee High School Wildcats seemed to have things well in hand Tuesday night against visiting Heritage.

The Wildcats led by 16 points after the third quarter and appeared set to secure the Region 8-AAAAA victory. Slowly, Heritage began chipping away at the AHS lead and got within two points with 1:52 left.

The Wildcats, however, would not allow another point and held on for a 71-62 win to the relief of coach Kevin Morris. [Full Story »] 

When talking about his team, Kevin Morris typically does not become too high or too low emotionally.

Wins are good, losses are not so good and there is usually room for improvement. During games, however, Morris can be seen pushing and encouraging his team to victory. In the first portion of the 2012-2013 season, there has been plenty of wins for the Apalachee High School Wildcats.

“Our confidence is continuing to grow,” Morris said. “When you are winning, everyone is happier and everyone is willing to work harder. You would think when you lose you would want to work harder, but it’s human nature I guess to be inspired by success.” [Full Story »] 

The Apalachee High School boys basketball team added another region win to their total last Wednesday and did so at the expense of its county rival.

The Wildcats trailed by a point at halftime but used a 17-point third quarter to regain the lead at 44-39. AHS improved to 4-2 in Region 8-AAAAA with the win and 7-2 overall. The Wildcats were set to play two non-region games later in the week (see related story) before returning to region battles in early January.

“When Winder and Apalachee play it doesn’t matter about the records or which team has been hot,” AHS coach Kevin Morris said after the game. “We are always going to have this type of game. You just want to make sure you get out with the win.” [Full Story »]