Senior Abigail Jackson, on Monday, begins play for her third head coach in her four-year Community Christian School varsity girls basketball career.
The final season, her coach will be her father – Andy Jackson.
In assuming direction of the girls basketball program, the 56-year-old Jackson will add to his coaching plate that already contains the posts of head coach in football and baseball.
Andy Jackson is joined by 46-year-old Derrick Atkinson in forming a new head basketball coaching regime for the Cyclones, who will compete in the North Carolina Christian Schools Athletic Association for the first year.
After directing the junior varsity squad to a 14-3 record last season, Atkinson, a product of Beddingfield High School (190-94), steps up in the boys program as the varsity head coach.
Atkinson’s Cyclones are off to a 3-0 start, while the girls will be tipping off their season Monday at Jacksonville Christian in an NCCSAA 2-A North Region clash.
Jackson, who hasn’t coached basketball since 2005, has watched his four daughters play basketball at CCS in the 11 seasons he has been at the football and baseball helms. Abigail is the youngest of five siblings and her final year represents the last shot of Andy Jackson viewing them in action. Thus, he’s excited to have the opportunity to be her coach.
“It’s a good group of (just seven) girls,” Jackson remarked. “They have been very receptive to my coaching. They come and work pretty well. We’re learning.”
Atkinson indicates his transition has been smooth since all 11 of his players either performed at the varsity or JV level last season.
“They have been playing together since middle school,” Atkinson said of his seven returnees. I see what these young men can do. They have bought in and are having fun.”
JACKSON TAKES HELM FOR CCS GIRLS
With her third head coach, Jackson is expected to be her father’s go-to player in shifting from point guard to down low. Yet, her coach anticipates situations surfacing that will require her to play in the backcourt.
Abigail is the one returning starter from last season’s 2-14 group. Sophomores Alyana Holmes and Olivia Carter are also back along with freshman Abril Ventura. Carter was available for only a couple of games before suffering a brain injury.
“We have no depth,” Andy Jackson admitted. “But all are pretty capable of playing. We don’t have five starters; we have seven girls that are going to play basketball. We will sub like a revolving door. We can’t afford foul trouble – Abigail in particular.”
Captains Jackson and Williams are the only seniors, and will probably start in the opener along with Carter, Holmes and Ventura.
The Lady Cyclones’ new head coach would not be surprised if his daughter emerges as the leading scorer and rebounder, but surprises are a critical need in the scoring and rebounding categories.
“I expect Abigail to have a great year,” Andy Jackson expressed. “She runs the floor pretty well and we hope our new scheme will get us some transition baskets. Abigail is a four-year starter with experience. She will not be the primary ball-handler for the first time, and that gives us an advantage down low.”
Holmes shows promise as a scorer and is expected to be a surprise rebounder. Williams possesses quickness and is at her best as a one-on-one defender. CCS looks for scoring help from Carter. Mangum and Whitley are new and inexperienced. Whitley’s forte is inside scoring and rebounding, while Mangum is athletic. Jackson is the tallest player at 5-foot-7.
“The tempo is definitely different,” Andy Jackson said of changes from past seasons. “We want to try to run, push the ball, run the fastbreak and secondary break and full-court press after we score. We are going to have to get some baskets without having to set up five-on-five.
“I’m still a little worried about defense. The girls are still struggling with man-to-man and we’ll probably start out with a point zone.”
Coach Jackson emphasizes reluctant shooters must start taking open shots.
How about expectations?
Coach Jackson grins and responds: “Go 17-0. We want to try and win the conference – that’s our one goal. I expect us to be competitive, always hustle and have one goal. But the big thing is finding other scorers.”
ATKINSON MOVES UP TO VARSITY
The Cyclones stand 3-0 against suspect opposition, but Atkinson is confident CCS will be much more formidable with the availability of 6-6 senior Seth Huston, who has been sidelined for precautionary reasons after being injured in an auto accident.
Tavares Williams, a 6-foot senior, has been the leading scorer at about 18 points per game. He’s also rebounding at a clip of 11 per contest. Sophomore Jared Kovach, first off the bench, has been the No. 2 scorer at nearly 10 points per outing. Kovach also averages five steals per contest and is regarded as the team’s best shooter.
Huston’s return should be a factor in 6-1 senior Ayden Smith becoming a more prolific scorer. Smith is viewed as a defensive catalyst – the point of the press.
Bryce Pittman, a 6-3 senior, is noted for “crazy energy.” His coach contends his defensive energy results in his “being all over the place. Pittman directs the defense and added Atkinson: “the energy he brings is unmatched.”
Noah Pierce, a senior guard, is described as “so quiet.” His role is that of the “garbage man” and Atkinson says: “He’s so quiet that I don’t think the defense knows he’s on the court.”
The left-handed Williams ranks as the most consistent scorer and rebounder.
“He’s really strong and calm,” Atkinson voiced. “If we need a basket, we’ll go to him.”
Senior Rylan Gay is smooth and calm at point guard. He brings a lot of energy and displays a consistent jump shot. He and Smith have clicked at the defensive end.
Sophomore Cale Pittman and junior Grant Barnes are counted upon for the “dirty work.” Pittman, declared his coach, is “defensively there,” while Barnes is more offensive-minded.
Huston is mentioned as a finesse player who stretches the defense. His outside game and mid-range jumper could create defensive problems.
Sophomores Cameron Harris and Camden Harold are progressing at the guard slots.
Williams, Bryce Pittman, Smith, Pierce and Gay have been frequent starters Williams, Smith and Bryce Pittman started last season, while Pierce, Kovach, Huston and Gay also return.
A new offense, the Beddingfield flex, has been implemented. Contended Atkinson, it still works with alterations.
“If the guys let the offense come to them, it works pretty good,” the head coach insisted.
But the tendency to be out of position on defense, resulting in breakdowns, concerns Atkinson, and he stresses: “Everybody has got to rebound.”
Ambitions are high in Atkinson’s first season, but he admits the scenario speaks to his personality.
“No. 1, I want us to compete,” Atkinson summarized. “If we play together and get better, we can definitely win the conference and we’ll see how far we can go in the state. The key is togetherness. If we stick together and are of one accord, we can go far.”
Although optimistic, Atkinson is realistic enough to know the first three games will not adequately measure the caliber of opposition for the long haul.
“I want to know how we really look,” Atkinson declared.