Bulldogs begin basketball practice with experienced squad

By Staff
Mike Self FCT Sports Editor
As the 2004 prep football season enters its critical stages, the Belgreen Bulldogs have their attention focused fully on basketball.
The Bulldogs hit the court this week to start practicing for the upcoming season, which begins for them on November 12 at Hale County.
Monday marked the official opening of the 2004-05 hoops season, meaning that schools across the state were finally allowed to pick up basketballs and begin practicing.
With many schools still looking ahead to the football playoffs, Belgreen and other non-football playing schools get something of a head start.
Bulldog coach Steve Pounders downplayed any advantage his team might gain from having a full squad available to practice from day one.
One advantage that Pounders is counting on for his team is experience. Eight of the Bulldogs' 10 varsity players are seniors. The other two are juniors.
Point guard Kelsey Motes, forward Nathan Hamilton and post players Avis Smith and Cody Rikard give Pounders four key returners around which to build his team.
Belgreen finished 13-15 last season, losing to Hazlewood in the first round of the area tournament.