Jackets open season with win on home court
Rockmart took a 60-57 win over Model on their first official game of the season, which also served as their first 7-AA region game.
The Jackets hosted the Devils at home last Friday night for their first regular season game.
The basketball season was delayed due to the football state playoff games, therefore many of the players either just stepped onto the court for the first time this week or have had a two week break from competition of any kind.
Junior Juke Boozer led the team by putting up 21 points on the scoreboard.
“Juke was phenomenal offensively and defensively all night,” head coach Vic Calhoun said. “The dunk he had really energized the crowd,” he added.
Senior Glenn Walker followed behind Boozer by adding 14 points for the Jackets and going five for eight at the free throw line. “Glenn also had a terrific defensive job,” Calhoun said.
“Our goal coming in was to push the basketball up the floor, making it a fullcourt game,” Calhoun said. “We did that in the first half but Model did a good job of slowing us down in the second half,” he added.
“I’m proud of the resiliency the guys showed,” Calhoun said. “Being down seven points with about three minutes left in the game, they were hitting big shots and trusting what they have been coached to do.”
Calhoun said there is a lot for the boys to improve on, though. Specifically, he wants the football players to practice their shots more.
Rockmart was set to travel to Villa Rica on Tuesday after facing rival Cedartown this past Saturday.
The Villa Rica game is special for Calhoun as he previously coached the Wildcats for seven years.
“I’m excited about it,” Calhoun said. “Coach Robinson was the one that got me into coaching so I owe a lot to him.”
“Everything that we do here is modeled after what I learned under him at Villa Rica,” Calhoun added. “I’m excited to go back and see those guys and coach against some players that I’ve spent the last five or six years with.”
The Jackets will play at 7:30 p.m. on December 18 at Villa Rica High School for those who get the paper before Wednesday and want to attend. See this coming week’s edition on how the rivalry game with Cedartown turned out.