Bulldog JV 20-2 By Clint Cox

Kneeling – Tre Long; Front Row (left to right) Head Coach Rico Williams, Tommy Stephens, Matthew Wooden, Fidel Montgomery, Kendell Leaks, Ashton Stevens, Cortez Little, Asst. Coach DaShaun Olds. Back Row – R.J. Bowers, Jarodo Rhynes, Kenny Guliford, Skylar Gause, Nene Gilbert, Jacorian Borders, Jaron Johnson, Marcus Leonard. Not picture are Asst. Coach Lee Florence, Manager Kadarius Bell, Carl Jones Jr., Devorius Robinson, Javante Speights and Troy Holmes. Photo by Clint Cox

By Clint Cox

Many a high school basketball team sets a goal of 20 wins in a season. Few actually accomplish that goal but the Marianna Bulldog JV squad did just that with their season finale win over Cottondale last Thursday night. First year Head Coach Rico Williams credits their success to team work. "Everyone came together for the good of the team. There is not selfishness on this squad. It’s the old saying of ‘One for all and all for one’," Williams commented. It was a season of tough contest, beginning with a thrilling come from behind victory over Rutherford after being down by 16 points. It included a last second win over rival Chipley in which Matthew Wooden slammed home a game winning dunk just before the horn sounded.
Williams, a 1993 graduate of Marianna and former Bulldog basketball standout, also gives credit to his former high school coach. "Most of what we do on the court is what I learned from Neil Keene when he was my coach," said Williams. When asked about the season’s highlight, Williams showed that it is much more than just about basketball. "We had a player that was in need at Christmas time. Every single player chipped in to make sure that player and his family had a good Christmas. To me that was the highlight of the season."