Fresh off an action-packed summer that took his team across the state, Monterey Wildcats Girls Basketball Head Coach Randall Phillips is eager to carry that momentum into next season.
Phillips concluded the Wildcats’ summer workouts with two new players on the roster and took the team across Tennessee to hone their skills. The Wildcats traveled from Monterey, to Wilson County, Lebanon, and Tennessee Tech for a series of basketball camps. Phillips said during those camps, he prioritized one key component that he believes could make his Wildcats great.
“We are really focusing on our team chemistry. it seems better than it has in the previous two years,” Phillips said. “And that’s going to continue to be our goal this year is to bond together and gel together and try to create an atmosphere that everybody’s happy and playing hard and having a good time.”
Phillips said he hopes improved chemistry will translate to better results on the court. Three seniors return this year, with juniors filling out the starting lineup and creating depth. Phillips said the two freshmen will also see some playing time, with a focus on skill development for future seasons.
“We’rte trying to keep the fresh ones focused on skills and everything else will come into play later on,” Phillips said. “As they try things and fail, we’re trying to keep them upbeat.”
Phillips said he believes both freshmen have the potential to become impact players in the coming years. Phillips said he has seen improvement already during the lifting and conditioning practices, which took place over the last two weeks. Phillips said he has also seen the freshmen improve without coaching, allowing the freshmen to play scrimmages freely and without stoppages.
“The girls have to figure that out on their own right now,” Phillips said. “[They’re] figuring out how to, what’s too physical and what’s not physical enough and the mental toughness will come with that.”
Monterey will roster 12 girls on their varsity team this season. The Wildcats open their season November 18 in the Hall of Fame Showcase game against DeKalb County.
