It's difficult being a coach when you don't know when, or even if, your team is going to be able to play. In these times of greatest uncertainly, that is the dilemma faced by coaches at all levels, including Kosciusko, McAdams, Ethel and French Camp basketball coaches.In many cases, teams have had more games canceled than played.“You never know what to expect,” said McAdams boys coach Kenyon Ross. “You could be playing tomorrow, or you could be shut down.”Similar comments came from other local coaches.“It's difficult for a team to get in a rhythm.” said Kosciusko boys coach Eleazarus Greenleaf. “We lost eight games (off the schedule). That hurts. It's very frustrating for a coach. Everybody is trying their best to follow the proper protocols. We're trying our best to keep the season going.”The Kosciusko girls also have seen eight games canceled. “Some were due to us being quarantined and some were due to the other team being quarantined,” said coach Cory Guyton. “When you are off a week, it takes you that much longer to get back. It can be hard, but at the same time we feel blessed that we are able to play.”French Camp boys coach Robert Leathers stated simply “It’s extremely frustrating. It’s hard to maintain focus when you don’t know if you are going to play or not play It’s tough on the kids.”French Camp girls coach Polly LeVert said her team has been fortunate, at least in comparison with many other teams. “We had just a couple of people who had to be quarantined for being around someone else. We have not had anybody tested positive, knock on wood.”But the Lady Panthers still lost games with Winona and Grace Christian when the other team was not able to play.”Ethel boys coach Mitchell McCurry said, “This has been by far my most difficult year, trying to get practices going and trying to keep the kids safe.”The one silver lining is that all the lost games were non-region games. Teams will begin region play with the new year and the hope is that games will be played as scheduled.Greenleaf said there are no plans to reschedule the eight lost boys and girls games. “The only games that will be made up moving forward are district games because we have to make them up.”The coaches expressed optimism as they prepare for region play.“I feel good going into district. Of course we have room to improve,” Greenleaf said.Seniors JaQuan Hall, Antonio Harmon and Azikwe' Mays have played well, as expected. But Greenleaf said junior Davion Roby has been a pleasant surprise starting at point guard after playing sparingly last year. “He takes on the challenge of guarding the other team's best player. He can knock down the open jump shot. He is very athletic. He has really surprised me this year with his level of maturity. He has adapted and adjusted well.”Guyton said “I feel like we can match up with everybody in our district (4-4A). We just have to come out and put the product on the floor.”McAdams is not only a 1A school, but one of the smallest 1A schools, so it's not surprising that the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs have taken their lumps while playing larger schools, including 3A and 4A teams. Ross and girls coach Ashley Brown feel the experience will be a benefit when their teams begin region play against other 1A schools.“The only thing that I regret is that we didn’t put teams in there that we can compete against,” Brown said. “I don’t want to break their confidence. I do want them to know that by the time we get to district play things are going to be a lot easier.”Ross used a literary reference to describe his team — “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” One half I might get the team I expect to get and the next half I don’t know what to expect. If we can put it all together we can be a decent team in 1A. I don’t think we will be an elite team. But we have the capability that we can compete with some of the top dogs in 1A.”The Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs both lost to Yazoo County, a 3A school, last week. The boys game was close for a half, McAdams trailing 23-19 at the break, before Yazoo County pulled away for a 58-34 victory. Jaylan Perteet led the Bulldogs with 11 points.The girls were defeated 62-28. Wel’asia Roby scored 11 points for McAdams.The boys and girls begin 5-1A play at home next Tuesday against West Lowndes, the defending boys and girls region champions.Basketball isn’t the only winter sport affected by the pandemic. Greg Cooper, Kosciusko boys and girls soccer coach, said everything is different this year. “You’re just not sure what you will have.”
