The Forrest Rockets Boys' Basketball team will take to the hardwood tonight to open their 2011-2012 campaign.  The workouts, practices, conditioning sessions, scrimmages, and all other preparations have led to this night where the Rockets will travel to Franklin to battle the Franklin Rebels. 

This looks to be no easy task, as Franklin is a perennial powerhouse in Triple A basketball.  "This Franklin team is well coached, and has some very talented athletes," Coach Hobbs said when asked about the opening opponent. "The good thing is that we have nothing to lose tonight.  We can play loose and comfortable, and as long as we work with intensity and execute what we want to do, then there is no reason we can't give the Rocket fans something to be proud of." 

Franklin returns a point guard, Debrell McLemore, who averaged around 20 points last season, as well as a post player who averaged around 14.  These players, along with some sharp shooters will challenge the Rockets to play disciplined defense. 

Forrest will be a little shorthanded depth-wise as they wait for the return of several key football players who finished a record setting season on the football field Friday night.  These players will return to practice this week and will look for their first action of the season as the team travels to Houston County on Saturday.

Despite losing 6 seniors from a 20-plus win team last year, Coach Hobbs is excited to see some key pieces return.  Look for the Rockets to be lethal from the three point arc, with Mark Pope, Juice Rumley, Colby Anglin, and Marshall Hunter posing a legitimate threat for opposing defenses.  Dakota Zimmerman looks to be one of the teams premier defenders and loves to get out on the break, while Zach Horvath will look to play the role of enforcer and presence in the paint.  Several other players will add needed depth for tonight, and all are excited to contribute and compete. 

Please check back in the coming days for full coverage of this game on Forresthoops.com  .