The AAU 14U Coastal Crew Rebels are under the guidance of a new head coach this season. Although the title of Rebels coach is new, Rodney Davis is no stranger to Liberty County, the Rebels and coaching.
Davis is a native of Liberty County and a graduate of Liberty County High School. As a youngster, Davis played on the Rebels squad and is familiar with the Amateur Athletic Union’s principles and goals for today’s youth.
“This is a good program,” he said. “From my playing experience I really enjoyed it. When I played in this program around eight or nine years ago they had a good program and put winning teams on the court. They also work hard to train athletes to become better students, excel academically and help them become better people.”
Davis completed his bachelor’s degree at Georgia Southern and is back in Liberty County working at Joseph Martin Elementary. He’s coached basketball about four years and last year coached for Midway Middle School’s hoop team.
“We are very excited to have Rodney Davis as the head coach for our 14U Coastal Crew Rebels,” Rebels 17U head coach and St. James Director Ernie Walthour said. “In his first year he did a great job at Midway Middle School and he came in here and the transition has been great. The kids already love him, his style of ball and some things he already put in place. We are really excited to have him come on board with us and it’s a win-win situation for us. He’s always been involved with athletics and is involved with helping the kids academically as well.”
The 14U Rebels are busy hitting the practice courts as they prep for their first tournament in Jacksonville on March 7.
Davis said he coached some of the Rebel players at Midway Middle School while he’s coached against some of the other players. The familiarity of those players and their skills makes it easier to evaluate and prepare the players for the season ahead.
“We have a good team,” Davis said. “We have size and athleticism and if they go out there and play well, we are likely to have a good season.”
Among their roster is team captain and guard Christopher Simpson. Simpson is capable of running up the points and last season posted a game-high 40 points against the Columbus Blazers.
Academically Simpson has some lofty goals, saying he hopes to do his best so he can attend the University of Southern California and be a Trojan on court.
Right now he sets his sights on the tournament ahead.
“I’m hoping that we can get the fundamentals down and then make it to the top,” he said.
Davis believes that is possible.
“We will go out and play our best, have fun, execute the game plan and hopefully win the championship,” he said.
While the roster is being set, there is still room for talented players who want to become a Rebel. The 14U Rebels will host a Blue vs. White game today at 5 p.m. at the St. James Sport Center. Anyone wanting to try out for the 13U and 14U team can bring proof of age, proper workout attire and your game. The public is also invited to watch the scrimmage.
Roster
Coach Rodney Davis
Assistant Coach Reginalde Castile 12 years of coaching 4th year with AAU
Michael Farrior
Christopher Simpson
Bryce King
Reggie Rhodes
Melvin King
Tony Sanders
Tray Tucker
Chris Guilfo
Robbie Bacon
Anthony Campbell
Javon Golden
Jamal Anderson
Xavier Jackson
Darius Mowbray
Cameron Livingston
Sean Lee
Davis is a native of Liberty County and a graduate of Liberty County High School. As a youngster, Davis played on the Rebels squad and is familiar with the Amateur Athletic Union’s principles and goals for today’s youth.
“This is a good program,” he said. “From my playing experience I really enjoyed it. When I played in this program around eight or nine years ago they had a good program and put winning teams on the court. They also work hard to train athletes to become better students, excel academically and help them become better people.”
Davis completed his bachelor’s degree at Georgia Southern and is back in Liberty County working at Joseph Martin Elementary. He’s coached basketball about four years and last year coached for Midway Middle School’s hoop team.
“We are very excited to have Rodney Davis as the head coach for our 14U Coastal Crew Rebels,” Rebels 17U head coach and St. James Director Ernie Walthour said. “In his first year he did a great job at Midway Middle School and he came in here and the transition has been great. The kids already love him, his style of ball and some things he already put in place. We are really excited to have him come on board with us and it’s a win-win situation for us. He’s always been involved with athletics and is involved with helping the kids academically as well.”
The 14U Rebels are busy hitting the practice courts as they prep for their first tournament in Jacksonville on March 7.
Davis said he coached some of the Rebel players at Midway Middle School while he’s coached against some of the other players. The familiarity of those players and their skills makes it easier to evaluate and prepare the players for the season ahead.
“We have a good team,” Davis said. “We have size and athleticism and if they go out there and play well, we are likely to have a good season.”
Among their roster is team captain and guard Christopher Simpson. Simpson is capable of running up the points and last season posted a game-high 40 points against the Columbus Blazers.
Academically Simpson has some lofty goals, saying he hopes to do his best so he can attend the University of Southern California and be a Trojan on court.
Right now he sets his sights on the tournament ahead.
“I’m hoping that we can get the fundamentals down and then make it to the top,” he said.
Davis believes that is possible.
“We will go out and play our best, have fun, execute the game plan and hopefully win the championship,” he said.
While the roster is being set, there is still room for talented players who want to become a Rebel. The 14U Rebels will host a Blue vs. White game today at 5 p.m. at the St. James Sport Center. Anyone wanting to try out for the 13U and 14U team can bring proof of age, proper workout attire and your game. The public is also invited to watch the scrimmage.
Roster
Coach Rodney Davis
Assistant Coach Reginalde Castile 12 years of coaching 4th year with AAU
Michael Farrior
Christopher Simpson
Bryce King
Reggie Rhodes
Melvin King
Tony Sanders
Tray Tucker
Chris Guilfo
Robbie Bacon
Anthony Campbell
Javon Golden
Jamal Anderson
Xavier Jackson
Darius Mowbray
Cameron Livingston
Sean Lee