Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
Autauga County Schools hosted their first ever Media Day for county schools. The momentous event took place at the Huey Magoo’s in Prattville. Coaches and up to three players from both boys and girls basketball at Autaugaville, Marbury, Billingsley and Prattville High School were present to answer questions on the upcoming season. The Prattville High School wrestling team was also in on the action for the first ever Media Day.
“I’ve spent a majority of my career in Birmingham, and I guess you just take things for granted. You go to Hoover, you go to Thompson and other surrounding schools and they have had media days for years. I think anytime we can showcase our student athletes and the kids, try to get them the exposure that they want. It’s part of letting them build their own personal brand and identity and give them the spotlight exposure,” orchestrator of ACS media day and Prattville High School Athletic Director Blake Boren said.
Doug Amos with the MAX Round Table Show on ESPN 107.5 The Ticket was also broadcasting live from Huey Magoo’s where he interviewed players, coaches and even ACS superintendent Lyman Woodfin.
To kick things off the Billingsley Bears took center stage. Head coach Tyson McLean stated that he is not only excited to start the season soon but to build the future of his program as well.
“Whatever style that allows us to win the game is the style of basketball I want us to play, and that may change from week to week,” McLean said.
From the Billingsley boys’ basketball team, Kyle Boice, Mason Truesdale and Danny Boice accompanied their coach for Media Day.
The Billingsley Lady Bears took the stage next, where head coach Angela Jones stated that she has deep ties in the Billingsley area and the girls are really where she wants them to be right now.
“Our first two years, we struggled a little bit, just building into it. Now, this year, I feel like we’re really where we want to be. Last year, we made it to regionals, so we won the area for the first time in 10-12 years. We were beating schools that we have not beaten in a long time, for years. So, I really think we’re on the right track,” Jones said.
Jones was accompanied by players Derrica Motley, Alana Jones and Megan Chandler.
Autaugaville boys basketball took the live action next, where longtime coach and Autaugaville resident Daren Golson stated they will be running all different kinds of defense, which Golson refers to as flow.
“We are known for defense and we’re going to play that first,” Golson said.
Golson was accompanied by players Jermaine and Akivious Motley.
The Autaugaville Lady Eagles took to the mic next to head coach Javaris Jackson who was actually the football and baseball coach before stepping onto the court. Eight years later, with two area championships and two regional appearances under his belt, Javaris continues to grow the Autaugaville program.
“The first goal, number one, is a state championship. But also trying to advance farther than what we did last year. Last two years we made it to the regional semifinals and I felt like we had a good chance. We got to the final 16. Now we’re trying to advance to the Final Four. So we’ll just continue to keep working hard,” Jackson said.
Jackson was accompanied by players Marisa Seabon, Zacarria Phillips and Alexahiah Sanders.
Next in the lineup was the Marbury Bulldogs where first year boys head basketball coach William Turner stated that he grew up in Autauga County and has been a coach for about eight years.
The last few years Marbury boys basketball has historically had a very small team. Last year coach Turner confirmed they only had six boys on the roster, creating their own league of challenges.
Turner stated regardless of the challenges, his team knows exactly what is expected of them and they will continue to create great transition offense.
“With a very fast pace and defensive focus, we’re going to press people, make people uncomfortable and make them play our game. We’re not going to play their game,” Jacob Driver said regarding the type of play they want on the court.
Turner was accompanied by Aurelius Reed and Driver.
The Lady Bulldogs took center stage next where long-time head coach Reginald Brown Sr. announced that this will be his last year of coaching.
“We’ve got a really talented group. I’ve had these girls since they were in ninth grade, and I remember bringing the girls into the locker room and telling them that they’re a really special group. I told them if they continue to work hard and just pour that heart into the game then they can do special things,” Brown Sr. said.
Brown confirmed that in recent years they have made it to the final four and in the last two years the lady bulldogs were in the regional championships.
Brown Sr. was accompanied by Carley Majors, Gabrielle Brown and Nunu Jernigan.
Last to take the mic was Prattville High School, where the boys head basketball coach, Jason Fisher stated that they are defensive minded staff and team.
“If we start emphasizing defense, they’re gonna start to buy into the defense, and now they’ve bought in, and it’s pretty fun to watch them practice,” Fisher said of his players.
The players noted how quickly they have become family over the summer, furthering their game and how they play cohesively.
Coach Fisher was accompanied by players Tanner Ehmen, Xavier Dunn and Cameron Lewis.
The Lady Lions took the stage next where head coach Erica Dubois stated that their first team goal is to see victory at the area championships, head to regionals and then the final four.
“We’re big on family over everything. Outside of our immediate family we are each other’s family and we take that seriously,” Dubois said.
Last to take the mic was Prattville High School wrestling where first year head coach Zachary Vanalst stated they’re looking to improve on last season and bring a sense of competitiveness to the regional duels.
“I try not to focus too much on cutting weight. I want them to be healthy and feeling great to be able to compete. But we work hard trying to eat right and being able to get to the weight class that they want to compete in,” Vanalst said.
Vanalst was accompanied by wrestlers Gatlin Tate and John Baxley.
The full video with a more in depth look of the Media Day can be seen on the Prattville Alive Facebook page.
