It is hard to believe, but basketball season is nearly here. Cobb teams have been officially practicing for more than a week, although most players have not stopped preparing since last season ended. We asked coaches around the District about their 2025-26 teams, and here is what some of them had to say.
Chad Phillips, Allatoona
I can’t wait to see our boys compete. They’ve put in the work this offseason, and we’re ready to see how our group comes together. We’re a proud program that values effort, defense, and togetherness, and I’m excited to watch this team forge its own identity. Every season is a new chapter, and I’m looking forward to seeing who steps up and embraces the challenge.
We graduated seven seniors and lost nearly 70% of our scoring from last season from a team that went 22-6 and 14-0 in region play. That’s a big void to fill. Experience and leadership take time to develop, so our biggest challenge early on will be consistency and execution on both ends. We’ll lean heavily on our defense to keep us competitive while our offensive chemistry and spacing continue to grow.
For us, success is about growth and identity. If we can defend at a high level, play unselfishly, and execute offensively with purpose and spacing, we’ll give ourselves a chance in every game. A successful season will be one where we get better each week, compete with toughness, and put ourselves in position to make another deep playoff run.
Allatoona Basketball has always been built on defense, discipline, and team-first culture. We may look different this year, but the standard remains the same: play hard, play smart, and play together. I’m proud of this group and the way they’ve embraced the challenge of carrying on the tradition of Buccaneer Basketball.
Buc team leaders: We’re fortunate to return Andre Dupree, the reigning Region Player of the Year. His leadership, versatility, and competitiveness set the tone for us every day. Carter Turnbow gives us an electrifying scoring presence in the backcourt; he’s dynamic, confident, and capable of changing a game in a heartbeat. Beyond them, we have four returners who played sparingly last year but have really embraced leadership roles by example and effort. One that exhibits all the leadership qualities you want in a player is Michael Watson.
James Gwyn, Campbell
We are looking forward to the tremendous competition that will be in our region. We have a new group of players who will have an opportunity to participate. We will have to play with low turnovers and play as a team on offense.
A successful season needs to finish with a state tournament appearance. Much of our success will depend on the development of Wesley Watson (6-4 Junior Wing). Wesley is very athletic and has had a great off-season.
Spartan team leaders: Xavier Hardy (5-foot-9 senior guard), Tyce Curtis (6-foot-3 junior guard)), and Amare Mack (6-foot-2 senior wing).
David Brock, Harrison
We are looking forward to just getting back on the court and the journey of the season. Basketball provides our guys with a lot of life experiences that they don't get elsewhere.
A challenge for us this season will be our overall inexperience. We have 30 underclassmen out of 37 players in our program. Our young guys are incredibly talented, though.
Success for us would be advancing in the state tournament. After making three straight state appearances, our program is looking at that as the obvious next step.
Hoya team leaders: Our leaders are Josh Jacobs and RJ Cowser, with the most Varsity experience for us as seniors. Carter Kleiman will serve as a good thermostat for our locker room. I also expect breakout seasons for Jordan Sanders (Junior), Isaac Sowemimo (Sophomore), and Caleb Robbins (Sophomore). They are primed to take the next step for us.
Gregory Moultrie, Hillgrove
I’m really looking forward to seeing how this group grows together over the course of the season. We’ve got a mix of returning players and new faces, and I’m excited to watch them develop chemistry, improve each day, and build confidence in their roles. Consistency is always a challenge at the high school level, so we want to make sure we bring the same energy and focus every night—whether it’s practice, a big game, or a lesser-known opponent. That mindset is what separates good teams from great ones.
If our players continue to grow and compete with effort every night, that will be a successful season. We expect them to buy into our team-first mentality and play with toughness, discipline, and unselfishness. If we’re better at the end than we were at the start—regardless of record—that will be a successful year.
Hawk team leaders: Bryson Jatta, Landon Grundy, Khalil Sylla
Jermaine Sellers, Kell
I am looking forward to getting back to Kell Basketball. Our guys have been working hard, and their commitment to each other and the team is high. Youth and consistency will be our biggest challenges.
Staying true to our standards of defending and playing team basketball every game will define success for us. If we do those things, the outcome will take care of itself.
Longhorn team leaders: Chase Graham (Senior), BJ Love (Junior), and Trey Smith (Junior) are from our last State Championship team. They have been great leading this offseason and setting the standard for the other guys.
Brian Fisher, Kennesaw Mountain
I am looking forward to seeing the intensity they play with on defense and how well they come together as a team every night. I want us to embrace the mental challenge it takes to compete at a high level every game.
We have a tough non-region schedule this year that will prepare us for a tough region. Our goal is to finish as a top-four team in our region to qualify for the state tournament.
Mustang team leaders: We have two All-Region players returning from last season: Justin Mallett (Senior guard) and Abu Jallow (Sophomore guard and forward).
Jay McAuley, Lassiter
I am looking forward to coaching a group with some experience. They were the youngest team in the region last year, so they have been battle-tested and ready to compete in one of the toughest regions in the state. We are also looking forward to hosting the region tournament at Lassiter. This group of seniors has put in a lot of work and deserves the opportunity to play on their home floor for a championship.
Preventing injuries and navigating the long season are always concerns. Also, getting our football players up to speed after their season concludes is always a challenge.
This year's goal is to win region and make it to state. We will play a tough non-region schedule to prepare us for region play. We also host a Thanksgiving event at Lassiter (Trojan Showcase) that includes some really good teams in the metro-Atlanta area.
Trojan team leaders: Will Griffis, Braeden Lucas, Tanay Kulkarni, and Jack Bristow. We have several seniors who are being looked at for the collegiate level, as well as two juniors who are really talented: Preston Liston (SF) and Dalton Price (PG).
Terry Gorsuch, North Cobb
I am looking forward to competing with this group. This year's team has a high level of basketball experience with seven seniors. Our challenge will be competing in one of the toughest, if not best, regions in the state.
Our success will be determined by how we compete and execute in both our non-region and region schedules. Hopefully, our hard work and experience will translate into victories on the scoreboard.
Warrior team leaders: We are led in our senior class by returning starters Jordan Simpson and Julian Dunn.
Pat Abney, Pope
I am excited for this year. We have four returning starters from last year's team. Our success will be defined by becoming as good as we can and working together as a team.
Greyhound team leaders: Drew Abney (Senior, Jacksonville State baseball commit, averaged 15 points per game last year), Stanton German (Senior, averaged 13 points per game last year), Thomas Williams (Senior, averaged seven rebounds per game), Elijah Grimes (Junior, averaged eight points per game last year), Quinn Lowe (6-foot-6 junior, and Cal Pearson (6-foot-3 Sophomore).
Michael Marchese, Sprayberry
I am looking forward to merging our new talent with a few key returners. It will be fun figuring out the best way for us to play. The players we do have are really intelligent and quality individuals, so we should be able to make quick progress.
Success always comes down to two things: being the best team we possibly can be by the end of the season, and having no regrets when the season is finished. We love where we ended up the past three seasons, and we want to keep moving in a positive direction. The last two seasons, we won first-round playoff games, so we would like to improve on that. Our region is a killer, though, getting in will be a huge challenge.
Yellow Jacket team leaders: Nate McDaniel (Senior), Abel Trotman (Junior), and Garrett Lynch (Junior) are three returners and talented players; each one brings a distinct skill set. McDaniel as a shooter, Trotman as a ball handler and creator of opportunities, Lynch as a post player and a strong rebounder with a nice jump shot.
Bo Abney, Walton
We lost four starters from last year’s team, so we will be faced with a lot of young and old guys gelling together as a team. We want to continue building on the strong foundation that our past season’s players have established.
Raider team leaders: Adrian Falayi (Senior guard), Bailey Abare (Senior forward), and Nate Nicholson (Senior forward).
Best of luck to all our Cobb Boys Basketball teams this season. We look forward to another year of great play and intense competition as games begin in November!
