THOMASVILLE — As the basketball season quickly approaches, Thomas County Central will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing season. With the loss of one of their top players Jalan Wingfield, the Yellow Jackets have been working hard this summer to prepare themselves for a tough schedule.

“We had a great summer. We did real well at camp. They got to compete against bigger schools and try to prepare us for this tough region we’re in,” said Central head basketball coach Juwan Hopkins. “We have a lot of kids who are anxious to show that they can step up and fill the spots that are left.”

While the Yellow Jackets finished a disappointing 10-16 and 1-9 in region play last year, Central played a lot of close games. In fact, 14 out of the Jackets 26 games last season were decided by 10 points or less. Seven of those were losses and seven were wins.

“It gave these kids a lot of confidence being in those games and at such a young age. It just shows them that they can compete with anybody and if it wasn’t for a few mistakes or a couple calls this way or that way we could’ve pulled those games out. It really gave them confidence,” Hopkins said.

Central will play many of the same teams they faced last year, only they have added North Florida Christian to the schedule who finished last season 15-12.

When asked what to expect from this team, Hopkins was excited about his teams depth, bringing up names like Abe Smith and Charlie Dunbar, who Hopkins referenced as a “culture guy.” and watch out for Decameron Duncan, who Hopkins thinks will “surprise people this year”.

“I think you’re going to see a team that’s really hungry and really eager to prove to a lot of people that we’re changing the program,” Hopkins said.

The Yellow Jackets will hit the court for their season opener at home against Bainbridge on November 28. The Bearcats were extremely good last year, finishing with an overall record of 26-3 and undefeated in their region. Bainbridge and Thomas County Central met twice in the 2022-2023 season with the Bearcats winning both games 67-39 and 61-45. But, the Yellow Jackets are not intimidated. In fact, Hopkins is looking forward to the challenge.

“Right off the bat we’re going to have probably one of the toughest games that we’re going to have. We play a pretty tough and competitive non-region game,” said Hopkins. “We’re always going to be battle tested and there’s no better way to start your season off than against a good rival like Bainbridge.”