By Michael Lindsay
The 2023-’24 high school basketball season is one step closer following Monday’s District 7-3A preseason basketball meeting featuring area coaches, administration and media.
“It’s always good to see old friends; we’ve got some of the best coaches in the state in this league,” said Stone Memorial boys coach Neil Capps. “It’s a year-long puzzle, not a sprint. Hopefully we’re ready for the marathon.”
District 7-3A consists of Cumberland County, DeKalb County, Livingston Academy, Stone Memorial, Upperman and White County following Macon County’s move to District 9-3A.
On the girls side, Upperman and Livingston Academy found themselves atop both the coaches and media preseason polls following their state tournament runs last season.
“Any of these teams could have been picked first to last; it’s a very equal district,” said Upperman head coach Dana McWilliams. “We know it’s going to be a tough district.”
“You’re prepared for a tough game every night out,” said Livingston girls head coach Lesley Riddle. “It gets a little easier once you get away from the district tournament; you dread playing those same district teams again in the region. It’s great we don’t play in the district until January, because we have a lot of work to do.”
Both polls had White County’s girls in third and Stone Memorial in fourth followed by Cumberland County and DeKalb County.
On the boys side, defending district champion Upperman was voted first place by the media and tied for first with Stone Memorial in the coaches poll.
“As a program and a coach, we appreciate that; it’s a tribute to our players,” said Upperman head coach Bobby McWilliams. “Hopefully, with the experience we have, we can play well and see what happens. It’s a tough district.”
Both polls play out the same following Upperman and Stone Memorial in the top two spots as Livingston Academy is projected third, White County fourth, DeKalb County fifth and Cumberland County sixth.
“We’re playing district teams with a lot of heritage,” said Capps. “The boys we’re playing, their dads and grandpas also played for that school. There’s a lot of pride and it matters.”
Official practice starts next week (Monday, Oct. 30) with the first week of games set for the week of Monday, Nov. 13.
Comprehensive previews of each area high school basketball team will be published by UCR in the coming weeks.
DISTRICT 7-3A PRESEASON POLLS:
Coaches Girls
1. Upperman
2. Livingston Academy
3. White County
4. Stone Memorial
5. (Tie) Cumberland County/DeKalb County
Media Girls
1. Livingston Academy
2. Upperman
3. White County
4. Stone Memorial
5. Cumberland County
6. DeKalb County
Coaches Boys
1. (Tie) Upperman/Stone Memorial
3. Livingston Academy
4. White County
5. DeKalb County
6. Cumberland County
Media Boys
1. Upperman
2. Stone Memorial
3. Livingston Academy
4. White County
5. DeKalb County
6. Cumberland County