ADDISON, Ala. — The Addison boys’ basketball team is just about ready to tip off their season and to say that expectations are high would be an understatement. Starting with six seniors, most of which will contribute valuable minutes, and a brand-new coach in his first head coaching job, Addison fans expect big things this year.
Addison hired former Cold Springs standout and Cullman County basketball legend, Triston Chambers to lead this experienced group of Bulldogs. Chambers, in his first head coaching job, comes into the gig with high hopes that this Addison team can play its way to a Northwest Regional appearance.
At 27-years-old, Chambers says that he will use his college playing experience, three years at Samford and one year at UAH, to show the young men that he knows what he is talking about and that he can develop them as players as well as young men. Chambers was also an instrumental member of the Cullman High School staff that won a 6A state title in 2022.
Chambers is installing a fast-paced style this season that some local basketball fans may already be familiar with.
“It is a version of Bucky Ball, which we played at Samford. Up-tempo, fast paced and playing pressure defense. I also will try and maximize what our players do well and try and improve on their skill set. I do know that our practices will be 10 times harder than our games and I believe that is a good thing,” Chambers said. “I just want us to play together, respect the game, each other and leave it all on the court every night. I want us to not worry about who we play but play to our standard. If we do that, which is excel at what we can control then we will be fine.”
Addison has a very deep back court returning this season, led by Senior Jed Wilkins. Elijah Roberts, Kaden Dyson, Scout Flynn and the Pratt twins, Carter and Owen all bring different skill sets to the position as well.
“Jed is a lead by example guy, he is at full throttle every trip down the floor,” Chambers said. “He’s coming back from injury but should be good to go when the season starts. I really believe that people are sleeping on some of our guys. I mean the Pratts can shoot and Kaden (Dyson) has improved his outside shot.”
As far as the big men go, Addison returns four-year starter Bradley Willette who is 6’5″ and 6’4″ Kiah Lake. That’s pretty good size for a 1A team.
“Both our big men can shoot outside, and they can protect the rim,” Chambers said. “Both Bradley and Kiah will play big roles for us this year. Just because we want to run fast paced doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for size.”
Coach Chambers summed up his goals for his first year on the sidelines at Addison.
“I want to lead these young men to a successful season and for me that is winning county, area and going to Wallace. I believe making it to Birmingham isn’t out of the question, but a few things have to go right for us. I know that our young men will be sacrificing a lot for this community and school, and I have heard that this gym can be loud when packed so let’s make the Allen Stephenson Gym a place teams no team looks forward to playing at.”
This Addison Bulldog team is geared up for a highly successful year and they are going to start their season in a Thanksgiving Tournament at Holly Pond on Monday. So be sure to come and support the Bulldogs and Roll Addi Roll!
Copyright 2024 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
