Gym Opens for 2008 Hardcourt Season

Football is nearing the end of the regular season and that means basketball season is not far off. Monday marked the first official day of practice for basketball throughout the state of Georgia. Warren County took full advantage of the first day of practice as the boys and girls teams hit the court running.

Lady Devils head coach, Jamaal Rhodes, took to the court with his team first. The Lady Devils return almost the entire team from last year and are led by junior point guard, Candice Warthen. Coach Rhodes and his team have set some lofty goals for their squad. According to Rhodes, "I really feel that we can win the region this year. We've been working hard towards that goal."

Rhodes went on to say, "I feel we can make some noise in the state playoffs as well. It'll all depend upon the draw and how the brackets are set up."

The Lady Devils are probably in better shape physically than they have been in recent years. Coach Rhodes has stressed conditioning since taking over the program. "I don't have to tell my girls to work out. It's become second nature to them. They do it whether I'm there or not."

First year head coach, Levon Grant, also took to the court with his team yesterday. The Screaming Devils took the floor after the Lady Devils. Coach Grant had a total of 21 boys come out for the first day of practice. That number did not include the football players who will remain on the gridiron for at least three more weeks.

Coach Grant put his potential players through their paces Monday as they waited for the Lady Devils to finish their practice. The Devils took to the hill behind the football field for some extra conditioning work as they waited for their time in the gym.

Grant looks forward to having his full squad after the football season ends, however he plans to use the next few weeks to work more closely with the underclassmen. Grant is assisted by Coach Stephens who will be the head coach for the J.V. team.

The Screaming Devils will have some big shoes to fill this season as they look to replace almost every starter from last season's team. Junior, Tay Erwin, is the lone starter returning this season.

Both squads play their first game of the season November 13th when they travel to Laney for a scrimmage game.