Mixson conducting a youth camp at the Rec Center last week

Tigers to hoop it up this summer

By Michael Butler

Tallassee head basketball coach Keiven Mixson enters his fifth season in 2021. It may only be June, but his team is already back in the gym with summer competition upcoming.

"We lost Jamicah (Humphery) with 22 points and Tae (Collins) at 13 or 14," Mixson said of his now departed featured senior stars. "We've got a lot of points to replace this year."

Mixson's Tigers have won the last two area titles and three in his first four years at THS.

"At Tallassee, we have to develp our players. We don't have the luxury of people moving in. In Montgomery, that's what they do. They move from school to school."

The coach has been conducting a summer youth camp working with future Tigers. Some will be on the middle school squad next season with Coach Terrel Brown at the helm.

"Coach Brown will practice with them some," Mixson said. "He and I will get together and put in some drills."

Summer off-season work becomes a juggling act with several athletes balancing multiple sports.

"Clayten Gough plays every sport," said Mixson. "I can't expect him at the gym everyday this summer practicing basketball. I want him to practice baseball and football."

Mixson with campers last week

This week, Mixson welcomes Jeff Davis, Prattville Christian Academy, Montgomery Academy and Trinity to Stumberg Gym for scrimmages.

"We have a young squad, so it'll give our kids some experience. We've got a great group that coach (L.D.) Bell has been working with. They're very coachable."

The Tigers will have 22 total players, split between varsity and junior varsity.

"Jalyn Daniels is coming back," Mixson said of the senior to be. "You ask how good is Jalyn? Could you see Jalyn coming off the bench for Hoover? I don't think so. I think Jalyn probably starts anywhere in the state."