This year's schedule returns some of the best rivalries of previous years and invites some new teams as well. Coach Toombs is working on another solid JV schedule that will be released soon, and both teams are working hard in the weight room to get ready for the season. As you will typically find, the Forrest Basketball teams like to schedule difficult out of district opponents. This will challenge the team early, and help them when they begin district play.
The season begins with two home Hall of Fame days. After traveling to Triple A Franklin High School last season, the Rebels will come to Forrest on Nov. 13th to open the season. On Saturday of that same week, Forrest will host a pair of HOF games. The first is against Pope John Paul II, a private school in Hendersonville, and the second is against Loretto out of Lawrence Co. JPII finished the 2011-2012 season with a record of 19-10 and return a strong nucleus of that team for this season. Loretto is a district 12A team who looks to be much improved from a year ago.
Other Out of District Highlights for this season include:
1. Forrest will renew their rivalry with Richland High School. Richland finished their season last year with a record of 15-14, but have most of their players returning for the upcoming season. They will be picked to finish in the top 2 of their district.
2. Forrest continues the local rivalry with Cornersville. Always a fan favorite in front of a packed gym, a new coach at Cornersville will lead the Bulldogs against the Rockets this season.
3. Summertown. There is not much more to be said. This has been a battle for the past several seasons and this year should be no different.
4. Santa Fe. A solid team with a good amount of size will be a great tune-up for district play.
5. Thanksgiving Classic versus Lead Academy and GCA. Lead Academy is a new school that is joining district play in District 10A (Our Region). GCA is a traditional powerhouse with plenty of outstanding athletes.
On top of these games, the schedule will be filled with your traditional District 9A opponents. Come back to Forresthoops.com in the near future for a District 9A preview, as well as a breakdown of returning players for the Rockets.