Just a couple of games into the season, Gary Beals is still trying to learn what his 2023-24 boys basketball team will be.
The Patriots played a game against a powerhouse MHSAA program in Ingomar that was dominated by the Falcons, but none of the coach’s football players were in attendance. With the season ending in the semifinals of the Class 4A playoffs a couple of weeks ago, he now has his full team in tow.
The first game of the season took place last Monday as the Patriots took on Central Holmes just three days after the football season was complete. They lost 42-38, but Beals thought his team handled that as well as they could.
“It’s going to take a while but we’re going to find our groove,” Beals said. “We played a game that Monday after football finished up and we just weren’t quite ready. I’ve got a senior-laden boys team and if we buy in we can be pretty good.”
The Patriots’ second game with a full roster took place on Monday night as they traveled up Highway 25 to take on the Starkville Volunteers. SA got the better of the Patriots in a 62-40 victory with Omar Scott’s 15 points leading the way.
Beals will rely heavily on Bryson Wright, Scott and others to help lead the team this season.
“The two key things for us is we have to find a point guard. We’re using Bryson in a lot of ways and I’m hoping that James Yarbrough can really come on for us. If we can find a quarterback of the team, we can have a really good year,” Beals said. “We also really need Omar to buy in for the season. He’s got a football career ahead of him and we want him to do everything he needs to be ready for that but while he’s here we’d love for him to have a big season on the court. He could be huge for us.”
Girls
The Lady Pats have had their whole team together from the start and Beals has challenged his team immediately.
Beals’ team is 3-5 to this point and has had to play Ingomar, Kirk, Heritage and Starkville Academy. The wins and losses are not what Beals is concerned about just yet. The coach is trying to make his team physically and mentally tough for the latter part of the season when district and tournament action really get going.
“I think we’re going to be pretty good in our division,” Beals said. “I made a really challenging schedule in non-conference because I want us to be prepared. I’ve got three really good seniors and a younger group that is really pushing them. We’re always competitive in practice. We just have to be able to score on the inside.”
The two teams will be back in action on Tuesday when they take on Kirk Academy at home.
