The Monterey Wildcats are preparing for the 2021-2022 basketball season with a new head coach.
The Wildcats are being led by former DeKalb County head coach Lynus Martin, who said his team is looking to build experience as they gear up for the new campaign.
“Just trying to get some experience and kids on the floor,” said Martin. “We’ve got two kids who saw a lot of playing time so we’re going to have a lot of inexperience on the floor. Just getting them on the floor to learn.”
Martin said two points of emphasis for his team are effort and attitude.
“The two things we preach are effort and attitude,” said Martin. “I think that’ll get us to where we’re going.”
Martin is taking over the program from former head coach Adam West. Martin complimented West’s coaching ability, but said he is different from his predecessor.
“I’m more aggressive and loud,” said Martin. “Trying to get kids to do things a certain way is a hard thing. It’s a hard culture to let kids know your expectations. It was a great experience for me to be under coach West. I’m trying to take some of those things and then you’ve got your own ways of doing stuff. You try to mix them together and see where you go.”
Martin said his team will be relying on several players to carry the load, including the returning big man Silas Randolph.
“Silas Randolph will be our main kid back that we rely on a lot,” said Martin. “He can be a matchup problem for a lot of people inside and out. Brandon Dillon could have a great season. He runs the point for us. We’ve got a couple of kids who are football kids that will really help us out defensively. That’s Chandler Bowden and Byron Borjas.”
The Wildcats find themselves in the retooled District 5/2A including Jackson County, Clarkrange, Sequatchie County, York and Bledsoe County.
For Martin, expectations for his team are to consistently get better to put themselves in a position to go on a run in the postseason.
“I always try to keep (expectations) high,” said Martin. “I believe in goals. I still feel like no matter who we play we can win. I think at the end of the year you hope that you’re playing for the district tournament championship, the region and getting to the substate is always a big goal. That’s the goal and that’s where we keep it.”
The Wildcats will tip off the season Thursday when they travel to take on Wartburg.