The Stone Memorial Panthers boys basketball team will see a new coach on the sidelines next basketball season.
Jess Raby will replace longtime Stone Head Coach Neil Capps, who stepped away after last season. Raby said he wants to keep the reputation Capps set for Stone Memorial.
“It was a burden lifted off my shoulders Monday when they gave me the job but then within 24 hours, a new burden was putting, was put on it and the pressure of this program,” Raby said. “But I’m excited for that challenge of course.”
Raby will become the third boys coach in Stone Memorial program history. Raby said Stone Memorial always has lofty aspirations every season.
“We’re gonna continue that standard,” Raby said. “I want us to take it possession by possession so, I don’t want to sneak out one time like hey, you know, everyone wants to get to the state tournament.”
Raby said he looks forward to talking with the team during upcoming off-season workouts.
“Our goals of course are going to be improve every year,” Raby said. “We would like to compete for district and region championships every year and when you do that, that means you have a shot of making it to Murfreesboro and having a shot at the state tournament.”
Stone ended last season in the regional semifinal with a loss to Tullahoma. Tullahoma went on to advance to the state championship game.
