Photo: Coosa Christian varsity boys basketball coach Rocky Peek (left) and team member Jaylen Jones participate in the Etowah County Basketball Media Day on Oct. 27 at Sparks Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Rainbow City. (Courtesy of Average Joe’s Sports Talk)
By Chris McCarthy, Publisher
Ball hogs and loafers are persona non grata for the 2024-25 Coosa Christian varsity boys basketball team.
“I’m trying to build a ‘We vs. Me’ mentality,” said the Rocky Peek, the team’s new head coach. “We want to build a unit that doesn’t care so much about personal achievements but rather team accomplishments. We want to compete at a state championship level, and it’s going to take a lot of work and definitely will be a different style and pace of basketball for our players to adjust to.”
Peek possesses the chops to demand such unselfish play. From 2017-19 at Marshall Christian Academy in Albertville, he guided the Stallions to a 76-12 record, a state championship, two Final Four appearances and three region titles while competing in the Alabama Christian Athletics Association.
“My goals are always high in whatever I do,” said Peek, a 1994 graduate of Ohatchee High School. “You have to aim for the top or you will stay at the bottom. We need everyone focus on the team and what they can achieve as the season progresses.”
For Conquerors fans who appreciate a face-paced style, Peek intends to press the gas pedal early and often this season.
“We’re going to be very up tempo and we want to score a lot and play aggressive defense. Whether we’re in full court or a match up halfcourt situation we’re going to play at the same tempo.”
Several athletes on the roster are members of the school’s football and basketball teams, which reached the Class 1A state finals and semifinals, respectively, last season. Peek sees that success as an intangible that should help the basketball program.
“I think those players being competitive and disciplined plays to a coach’s advantage,” he said. The hardest thing will be the transition from football to basketball. If all goes well for football like we hope it does, then we’ll have one practice as a team before our first game!”
The Conquerors share Class 1A Area 11 with Appalachian, Jefferson Christian, Victory Christian and Ragland.
“There’s some good completion in the area,” said Peek. “Appalachian went to (the Northeast Regional Tournament at) JSU to compete last season. I’m confident that we can be successful at all levels of competition once we get in the gym and start training. We had a good summer in going 10-2 overall, and that was with only half of the varsity roster and our JV guys playing up, so we’re pretty excited about the season.
The Conquerors open the season on Thursday, Nov 12 at home against Pleasant Valley.
“This school s awesome for raising all students up to be young Christian men and women, and [its] academics are top notch,” said Peek. “This basketball program needed help, and I believe it’s a good fit for me and my family.”
