Parklane Academy head boys’ basketball coach Ricky Gray is still in the holiday spirit. This season, his team has dealt with several pulled wisdom teeth, three ankle sprains, two broken bones and a concussion.
And a partridge in a pear tree.
Heading into district play next week, the Pioneers are still recovering from a bevy of injuries.
“It’s been a unique season because of all the injuries,” said Gray, whose Pioneers have limped to a 4-6 start through their first 10 games. “I’ve only used the same (starting) lineup twice.”
The Pioneers’ season got off to a painful start when junior post player Taylor Smith suffered a broken right hand and senior shooting guard Richie Mills sustained a broken leg — both during the team’s first practice.
Smith underwent surgery to have a pin inserted into his hand, and Mills has been cleared to play.
Since the season opened Nov. 13, the Pioneers’ road to recovery has been long. Taylor, point guard Justin Brent and post player Zach Stutzman have all had wisdom teeth pulled. Mills sustained a concussion when he was elbowed in the head going for a layup in the Pioneers’ Dec. 7 game against Presbyterian Christian School.
The team’s most recent setback came when senior wing guard Bryce Bean injured his knee while changing a flat tire coming home from the Brookhaven Academy tournament Monday night.
All the injuries have forced Gray to play as many as six sophomores this season. Still, the Pioneers remain steadfast.
“We could tell you a sob story, but we’re not going to do that,” Gray said. “These are some salty kids. They’re playing through adversity. They have a never-give-up attitude.”
Gray’s current lineup includes Brent at point guard in place of Taylor, plus Mills and sophomore wing guard Spencer Remley.
Tyler Stutzman, Zach Stutzman, Zac Smith and Phillip Strawn share time at the post.
Although Parklane’s game against PCS earlier this month counted as a Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Division I-South game, the Pioneers’ long stretch of division games begins Wednesday at home against Oak Forest Academy and continues through Feb. 3 with a regular-season finale at Oak Forest Academy. The district tournament opens Feb. 7.
The stretch of district games also includes the Jackson Academy tournament, where the Pioneers will face the host team and Claiborne Academy.
“Our schedule gets really strong the next two weeks,” Gray said.
Despite all the early-season injuries, Gray said the Pioneers have shown improvement.
“We’re getting better and we’re developing an identity,” Gray said. “We’re improving at our press and run and we’re starting to look like we’re supposed to look.
“These kids are inexperienced, but they’re fun to watch,” Gray added. “If these kids are any indication, it’s going to be a bright future at Parklane Academy.”
