by Matt Wright
A new season. A new coach. A new outlook. The Lakeland Middle Prep School boys opened up their 2019-2020 campaign last evening (October 28, 2019) defeating Fayette East Middle School 37-20.
This was the first game for new Head Coach Chance Coleman. Coach Coleman, also the 8th grade physical science teacher at LMPS, brings a new, competitive perspective to Lakeland basketball. With Lakeland Prep High School opening in 2022 it’s important for a solid foundation to be laid for the high school basketball program.
Coach Coleman, who was an all district high school player in Mississippi, playing in the Mississippi All Star game as well as two years of junior college basketball, knows what is required to produce a solid program. He also has experience coaching at the high school level at Tipton Rosemark Academy as well as being the freshman head coach for Houston High School. According to Coach Coleman, his program goals are simple saying, “my program goals are to develop a strong foundation built on sound basketball fundamentals and basketball knowledge. At the start of a program, these components will provide all players the greatest opportunity for success.”
To help prepare the boys for the upcoming season Coach Coleman held multiple open gym dates at LMPS throughout the summer so anyone wanting to try out had more opportunity to work on their game. That paid off when approximately 63 boys tried out for the middle school teams (varsity and JV teams). 27 players were selected to field the 3 teams (6th thru 8th grade). Coach Coleman added, “the players are working hard every day trying to implement the fundamentals taught into their game. Improvements are being made daily on key fundamentals, teamwork, work ethic, and game-like situations. We have a lot to learn, but I am very proud of my players’ effort and enthusiasm to learn more about the game.”
That hard work showed Monday evening against the visiting Bulldogs as the Lions effectively used a 4 out motion offense against the man to man defense they were shown. The Lions also handled the full court press routinely breaking the pressure and getting easy transition baskets. Those transition baskets are what allowed the Lions to pull away easily in the 4th quarter.
Coach Coleman is excited about the future and the opportunity adding, “I am truly blessed by the opportunity given to help young players not only learn the game of basketball but also important life skills that playing sports provides. They are a pure joy to coach.”
Like other Lakeland sports who have been so successful early on, the outlook for Lion basketball is strong.
