Fluorescent lights beam down, creating an eye-squinting brightness. Shoes squeak against the shiny yellow-orange floors. A bead of sweat runs down the forehead of senior Ilinca Moroianu as she tries to catch her breath.
A whistle blows, signaling the first of the few 60-second breaks in an hour and a half. After getting a quick sip of water, players continue their trek up and down the court for the umpteenth time. Running, shooting, rebounding, passing, repeat.
The Athens Christian girls basketball team is running now with the hope that it’ll still be running when the playoffs come around in March.
They will need all the speed they can get on the court. Every single player is a guard. Every single player will get on the court.
The Eagles may be the defending GIAA champions in class 4A, but they’re a completely different team this season, with a new coach, an all-guard lineup and only two starting returners.
Head coach Jameson Thomas said he isn’t worried about the team, though, and is ready for the first game of the season on Thursday, Nov. 5.
“It’s been exciting, learning that you have a target on your back,” he said. “But at the same time, knowing that this program has a rich history and wanting to continue those traditions and win state championships every year.”
The Eagles won the championship game last season, 47-27, over Stratford Academy under coach Jeff Vaughn, and were led by senior powerhouse bigs Marlene Mbilima and Voldie Basana. However, they graduated and are now playing Division I basketball at the University of Pennsylvania and Providence College, respectively. Vaughn now coaches the boys team at Athens Christian.
Thomas moved to Athens Christian about a month before the season started. An Athens native, Thomas saidh e wanted the opportunity to give back to a community that helped shape him. He is eager to “pour into the next generation and make an impact on young athletes in [his] own community.” He said he wants to help these kids because basketball has opened doors for him.
Thomas plans to emphasize player development in his coaching, as he has experience with it in the NBA and WNBA. His previous job was in player development with the Atlanta Dream for four years.
“For me, it’s bigger than coaching basketball,” he said. “It’s about mentorship, growth and giving back to where I’m from.”
Thomas plans to run a fast-paced game and prioritize 3-point shooting to get his team back to the top.
“Setting the pace and speeding up other teams,” he said. “Making them play to our pace.”
Thomas said they have to be in shape and keep their endurance high to create depth on the court. The team is practicing as if every day were a real game. Thomas is using a drill method called the “Impact 32,” which is nonstop conditioning and running for 32 minutes, simulating a full game.
“We aren’t wasting any reps or wasting any time,” he said.
The team will also focus on shooting 3-pointers and mid-range shots, creating turnovers, getting easy fast-break layups and collectively rebounding.
“I’m planning on pressing hard and using the players’ quickness to our advantage,” Thomas said.
Thomas said he is emulating former Florida Gulf Coast University women’s basketball coach Karl Smesko’s strategy. Smesko, who is now coach for the Atlanta Dream, used positionless basketball at FGCU. A positionless team is when every player is classified as the same position regardless of how they play.
Seniors Scarlett Mercado and Moroianu agreed that the Eagles have to be ready for any team they play. They also said it will take time to find their rhythm together.
“I think we just have to prepare for each game and make sure that we can attack every weakness they have,” Moroianu said.
Vaughn said the seniors have to step up as leaders and hold the younger players accountable.
“It’s on them to carry the team, and I’m sure score a bulk of the points,” he said. “If I had to guess, everything will be run through them.”
Vaughn said he expects them to have a “really good season even without a true big.” He said the seniors shouldn’t focus too much on winning early in the season but should instead engage the other players to make a deep run in the state tournament.
“With everybody being able to play most of the game, you won’t feel like you’re riding a bench,” Thomas said. “You’ll feel that you’re included in playing a lot of minutes.”
