Submitted PhotoThomas County Central basketball players pose at a Warner University camp.

THOMASVILLE — The 2017 summer has been a blur for new Thomas County Central boys basketball coach Levi Williams. 

Williams took over the reigns of the program in late April after the team completed a 3-22 campaign in the previous season. His first task was to change the way his team thinks and approaches the game.

“Our primary focus this summer had less to do with basketball and more to do with culture and mindset,” he said. “When your culture is healthy, there is a healthy sense of shared accountability that allows players to accept the necessary discipline to put the goals and needs of others above their own. Neglecting to focus on changing the culture is like building a home on quick sand — It cannot stand.”

The Yellow Jackets are returning a handful of last year’s roster and have introduced a number of young players from the junior varsity program. 

“As a staff we quickly needed to get their attention,” Williams said. “They have to quickly understand our organizational hierarchy and the expectations at each level of that hierarchy. They have to quickly understand what is non-negotiable and the demands we place on them come with purpose and are not arbitrary in nature. 

“In a sense, they will understand that we play on purpose, not just with purpose.”

The boys team participated in two summer team camps, one at Valdosta State University and another at Warner University in Lake Wales, Fla. 

“The time away at camp was extremely beneficial,” Williams said. “We were able to get live game action in, but more importantly, the kids spent lasting meaningful time away with their teammates.”

“I am really excited about the upcoming season and for the team in years to come,” senior guard DeOndre Sullivan said. “We have improved and I know we are going to be far more competitive this year.”