Jeffers: ‘Biggest summer yet’ for AC
MIKEE TEASLEY
And for fourth-year Coach Jordan Jeffers, this might be the program’s most crucial summer since he arrived from Scott High, his alma mater.
Anderson County, winner of three consecutive District 4-AAA tournament titles, graduated seven seniors last month, making offseason work vital for this year’s team.
“This is probably the biggest and most-important summer we’ve had since I got here, maybe outside the first one,” Jeffers said. “We lost seven seniors, and those guys were starters when I came in.”
The Mavericks now look to a mix of younger players, returning upperclassmen with limited varsity experience, transfers, and even some football players rejoining the team.
“We’ve got to figure out who we are and who can play,” Jeffers said.
Results have been mixed this summer, but Jeffers is encouraged by the team’s identity.
“This team plays hard,” he said. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised. We’ve shot the ball better than I thought we would, and we’ve competed. We’ve won more games than we’ve lost, and that’s always a good thing.”
The Mavericks wrapped up their summer slate with a three-game trip to Jellico. But like many programs, they’ve yet to play with a full roster.
“That’s probably the case at most schools for various reasons,” Jeffers said. “Football, basketball, and baseball are all live right now, and that makes it tough.”
One ongoing concern is size — or the lack of it.
“This isn’t a very big team,” Jeffers said. “Rebounding has been a concern all summer, and it’s something we’re going to have to address.”
Despite the challenges, Jeffers is optimistic and realistic.
“I’ve seen some good things, but we’ve got a long way to go,” he said. “That’s OK—it’s only June, and we’ve got time.”
