Current Weather

On Air Now

The Greatest Hits of All-Time
The Greatest Hits of All-Time

Curry’s Emerson: Team showing improvement across the board

SHARE NOW

 

With less than 10 days before the season kick-off against Carbon Hill, first-year Curry head coach D.J. Emerson said his team has had its ups and downs in preseason practice, but is pleased with what he’s seen from the squad.

With a roster numbering 26 to 27 players and dealing with the adverse conditions of sweltering heat during some weeks, Emerson said managing the amount of time his athletes are in strenuous action has been crucial.

“With our low numbers, we have a rotation where the first team offense is out and everyone else plays scout team, then we try to rotate quite often based on what we’re working on. We want to get the most out of them from practice with the effects of the heat and their well-being always being our key concern,” Emerson said. “Even with the difficulty, we’re doing good. This past Saturday night we had a scrimmage under the lights — the fans came out and the kids’ energy was good, along with their focus. It was the best practice we’ve had all year under the lights. But we’re excited about moving forward. I tell the guys every day we’re just trying to get a little better than the day before.”

Other notes from Wednesday’s preseason practice brief:

— Among the players showing the most improvement throughout the preseason, Emerson stated his entire team has shown great progress and applauds their dedication and attention to detail. “One big compliment I can give our guys is that they’re trying to do everything the exact way I want it done and how I’ve explain it to them. Whether it’s how we leave the weight room when we get done working out or how they’ve cleaned and left the locker room this afternoon, along with how I want practiced started every day — everyone is buying in and doing those little things,” Emerson said. “Eventually, and I don’t know when, all those little things we’re doing will take care of the bigger things we’re trying to accomplish. Senior leadership has been phenomenal as they bought-in from Day 1. I tell them every day that talent has no determination on your energy, attitude and your effort. Regardless if you’re the least talented or most talented guy on the team, you can control those three things.”

— The Yellow Jackets will host perennial powerhouse Red Bay in Jamboree on Friday night, a contest Emerson sees as a good test to see where his program is at. “They had a big group of seniors last year and now have a new coach who came from Shelby County where they had success. Traditionally, they’re a team that knows how to win, they expect to win and expect to play good on Friday nights,” Emerson said. “Playing someone like Red Bay with us not having a spring allows me to see where my guys are at. Being able to have a jamboree before we start the season against Carbon Hill is huge for us.”