New A-J boys head coach aiming for winning season

First-year Anna-Jonesboro High School boys’ basketball head coach Rob Wright has set a significant goal for the 2009-2010 season.

“We haven’t had a winning season in three years,” said the former A-J high school and Shawnee Community College basketball player.

“That’s our first goal: to have a winning season. We want to change that (losing) mindset.”

Wright is counting on three starters from last year’s 13-17 squad to build a successful team around.

The threesome includes seniors J.R. Woodward, a 6-4 forward,  Jordan Adams, a 5-10 guard, and Gabe Pecord, a 6-1 forward.

Pecord, who is expected to play, hasn’t practiced yet because of a nagging football injury.

“I think we’re going to be pretty decent,” Wright said. “We have a lot of athletic ability and we’ve  got some quickness.”

Other seniors on the roster are Jacob Brimm, a 5-9 guard; Jesse Webb, a 6-4 center; Nick Bound, a 6-0 forward; and Jordan Kern, a 5-8 guard.

Juniors who could contribute are Brady Carter, a 5-9 guard; Tylor Duckworth, a 6-6 center; and Cody Livesay, a 5-10 guard.

Two sophomores on the varsity are Travis Smith, a 6-1 guard, and Brady Wright, a 6-3 forward.

“We’re going to push it up the floor,” Wright said. “If we get a good shot, we’ll take it.”

Wright likes the scoring potential from his squad.

  “We’ve got five guys on the floor who can score,” Wright said. “And, most of our guards can shoot the 3.”

Wright said he wants this year’s Wildcats to be in the hunt in each tournament.

“We want the chance to compete in a meaningful game,” he said. “But we want to be competitive in each game we play.”

Wright looks for a competitive Southern Illinois River-to-River Mississippi Division conference race.

“I think our conference will be competitive,” he said. “It’s one of the most difficult conferences around (to play in) and we have some quality coaches.”

The Wildcats open their season in the Harrisburg tournament and begin play  Monday, Nov. 30, against Hamilton County.

Assistant coaches this year are Mike Chamness (junior varsity), Kyle Haunstein (freshmen) and Josh Staples (varsity).

“We’ve got the chance to have a successful season,” Wright said.

The Wildcats open regular season play Dec. 8 at Cobden and play the first conference game at home against Pinckneyville Dec. 11.