The varsity boys basketball team entered the season aiming to improve on a 14-15 record from a year ago, which included a first-round loss in the state playoffs. This season, the Knights have done just that. With an 20-3 record at press time in the final week of the regular season, the 4th ranked Knights turn their attention to the region tournament and vying for favorable seeding in the state playoffs.
After a 67-62 loss in a rematch against Lithonia on Jan. 26, the once No. 1-ranked team lost the first seed in the race to the region tournament as the Bulldogs moved ahead in the region race by knocking off St. Pius on Jan. 29. Grady entered the region tournament as the xx seed.
“I think we are peaking right now, but we have the opportunity to do something special,” coach Brian Weeden said. “If they stay focused and keep their head on straight, we should do well in the playoffs and go a little farther then we have before, but we are taking it one game at a time.”
The team started 12-0, rising from No. 9 to No. 1 in the state rankings with December wins over four ranked teams, including Lithonia, which opened as preseason No. 1. The Knights then hit a rough spot, suffering its first loss to Jefferson Davis of Mobile, Ala. during the Dwight Madison Roundball classic in Montgomery on Dec. 30 and a subsequent loss to St. Pius on Jan. 15.
“The first part of the season, we were disciplined, we worked hard and we kept up the intensity,” senior forward Tykwann Bryant said. “This year, (since Christmas break) we have kind of slacked off defensively. That’s why we lost these three games, but we are trying to get back in the hang of it and play as a team.”
Team members said improvements on teamwork and defense could help them make a deeper playoff push than previous years, and bring the school a state championship.
“We need to work on defense and reacting to things faster,” sophomore point guard Devonta Brittian said.
Senior guard Avi Toomer is averaging 24.1 points per game along with 9.5 rebounds per game and 2.6 assists. He has committed to Bucknell University, a Division I school.
Continued success requires hard work and dedication, players said.
“I feel strong about us; we can make a deep playoff push if we stay disciplined and play how we played the first half of the season,” Toomer said.
With the playoffs around the corner, the team’s confidence remains high.
“I feel this is the best team we’ve had at Grady since Coach Weeden has been the coach, and I feel like we can make a good run in the playoffs,” junior point guard Charles Martin III said.
The Knights’ goal is to end the season as the state champions.
“I feel like we are great. We have the skill, work ethic, and everything else we need to be state champions,” Bryant said.
