GOOD HOPE, Ala. — This season was another successful one for the Good Hope Raiders as they finished eclipsed the 20-win mark for the fifth consecutive season and junior K’mal Bell talked about what he learned from the Raiders’ latest run.
“I felt this season went well at times. We looked like one of the best Class 4A teams in the state in the first half, but unfortunately, we weren’t our best when we needed to be. What I took from the season is that I felt I played really good on the offensive end and okay at times on the other end, but I feel if I get better defensively and more explosive and quicker, I will be a very tough player to guard and score on next season. I saw how good I was this year and if I reach that goal, it would separate myself from everyone I play against.”
K’mal was blessed to play with a great group of guys this season, including the three seniors: Charlie O’Neil, Colton Lindsey, and Jed Clements, and took away so much from playing with them.
“I loved playing with them. We all had pretty close friendships off the court, and everyone was there for the same reason. I feel we all wanted to reach the same goal at the end, and everyone was very supportive of each other no matter the circumstances,” Bell said. “With Charlie, he was one of the most hard-working people I know. Even when you’re at your lowest, he proved you can still get back to where you were. With Colton, he was always in the right spots at practice and in games. He was one of the most encouraging teammates I’ve had and very unselfish. All he wanted to do was win. With Jed, despite not getting a lot of minutes, he was just a good teammate, and he was a great example of a great teammate.”
K’mal has played for coaches Drew Adams and Scott Adams for three years now and has soaked up as much as he can from them. He has learned an important thing during his time on varsity so far.
“They don’t just try to make their players better players, but better people getting us ready for life and all the responsibilities that come with it. I’ve loved playing for them for three years. They have each told me at the end of every season what I could do to separate myself from others and to make my team better. They’ve both had a big part in who I am as a player today,” he said. “What I’ve learned during my time on the varsity team so far is how you constantly have to stay in the gym to keep playing at a high level every night.”
K’mal will be working on bettering his game even more in the off-season to get ready for next season and he has some individual and team goals for next season.
“I’ll be trying to get more explosive and quicker off the dribble. I’ll also be working on shooting off the dribble a lot more than I’ve had in the past,” he said. “Team goals, we definitely want to make it to Birmingham. We would love to win county and area, but the end goal is Birmingham. Individually, I want to start where I left off at the end of the season and continue to get better as the year goes and get recognized for all the work I’ve put in over the years.”
K’mal talks about what will make this team special to watch next season, plus one of his role models growing up and the best advice that he’s ever been given.
“I feel like we have the best players around and it’s been that way for the last 4-5 years. Everyone just wants to get better each and every day to get to the ultimate goal at the end and to keep it going. We just got to keep wanting to get better every day and come in with a good attitude and wanting to be coached,” he said. “When I was younger towards the end of middle school, I liked watching Cole Maddox when he was still in school and after, because he was always trying to help me when he didn’t have to. The best advice I got was to not get satisfied.”
K’mal has seen his game grow a lot over the years and he has taught the younger players a lot as well.
“It’s grown a lot. I’m a way better shooter than I was before. I’ve become more comfortable with the ball in my hands in big-game situations. I’ve become more confident in myself to be able to be dependable in games,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I’m a vocal leader, but I think I’m setting a good example for the younger players. For example, I’m always in the gym before and after practice and I’m always trying to improve my game in some way.”
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