GOOD HOPE, Ala. — The 2021-2022 season saw the Good Hope Raiders finish with a 20-11 record, a Cullman County Championship, a runner-up finish in the area and another appearance at Sub-Regionals. One of two returning seniors on this year’s team, Colton Lindsey has played a lot of travel ball this summer to help his game even more after coming off back-to-back surgeries on his right knee. He’s had a blast with some amazing teammates the past few years and is looking forward to hitting the court with them this season.
“Travel ball helps so much, especially coming off an injury. It has really helped me get back to game speed and back into shape for school ball,” he said. “Playing with this group of guys has been great the last few years. I’m definitely going to miss the leadership and guidance the seniors had on me last year. We definitely have big shoes to fill. Tanner was not only a good leader, but he also knew when we needed him to go get us a bucket. Noah brought a tough edge on defense that we’ll definitely miss, and he had the ability to knock down tough jumpers. Canaan brought the energy and the vocal part of being a leader. He was always talking on the bench and letting us know what he saw and what we could do to adjust.”
Colton is coming off multiple knee surgeries and has had the full support of his team, his coaches and all of his loved ones.
“It’s been tough returning from both surgeries. It’s been tougher mentally than physically, but God has blessed me with a great support system,” Lindsey said. “Without my family, coaches, teammates, and the great therapist at Encore, I wouldn’t have been able to recover from either of the knee surgeries.”
Colton feels blessed to play for head coach Drew Adams and assistant coach Scott Adams and has soaked up so much from them so far.
“They are both great people who care about their players on and off the court. Both men are great role models. They both make sure that basketball is not who we are, but what we do. They make sure that we know Jesus Christ as our savior, and that we know that is more important than any basketball game we’ll ever play. I’ve definitely learned a lot from both coaches on and off the court.”
Good Hope will have a lot of experience coming back this upcoming season despite losing three key seniors to graduation. Colton will be one of the leaders on this team and has learned so much from the upperclassmen before him that has helped him become the player that he is today.
“I think experience will be key for us this season. Our end goal is to always end our season in Birmingham. This year is just like any other. We play good competition in the summer and in the regular season to prepare us for the tough teams we may play in the postseason,” he said. “I definitely want to be a leader for the younger guys. It’s important to keep positive after a tough practice or a tough game. Confidence in yourself and your game is definitely one of the most important parts of basketball.”
He added,
“The upperclassmen have definitely helped me become the player I am today. The past three or four senior classes have really set the example of what it takes to accomplish your goals. I’m lucky and thankful to be a part of a school and community that supports their athletes.”
Colton has been working on his game a lot in the summer and has set some goals for himself. He feels honored to be a part of a special team and talked about what makes them special to watch.
“I’ve definitely been working on getting up and down the court a little bit better, as well as working on finishing at a higher percentage around the rim. My goal this year is to step into more of a leadership role. I want to be the teammate that everyone can count on anytime, not just on the court. This team is definitely fun to watch. Almost any player can lead us in scoring any night. You never know which player is going to have the hot hand. I don’t think we’ll have a problem scoring the ball. This team is definitely one to keep an eye on in February.”
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