The more things change, the more they seem to stay the same.

The old saying could be applied to Zion Chapel boys basketball over the last decade. For the fourth time in as many years, the Rebels welcomed in a new head coach.

Robbie Brown comes to Jack after spending the previous two seasons at Rehobeth High School, where he coached football, basketball and baseball.

Brown does have head coaching experience, having served as the head man at previous stops at Ashford Academy and Tuscaloosa Christian.

Brown said that it is an honor to represent a school as the head coach.

“It means a lot to me personally,” Brown said. “I am humbled to think that a school believes in me enough to make me the head coach. We are all excited for the season.”

Throughout the program’s history, Zion Chapel basketball has seen it’s fair share of ups and downs, with a lot more downs than ups.

The Rebels have just one appearance in the state tournament, coming in 1986, and went winless just two years ago.

Brown feels that the old days of Rebel hoops will be a thing of the past soon.

“I didn’t come here to be a basketball savior or anything like that,” Brown said. “We will continue to build on some of the things that Coach Hill started, and the kids are excited about the year.”

Zion Chapel won three games last season, but returns several players that have experience, including two players over six feet tall.

“It’s early, but we are confident that our post players, Ethan Deal and Chase Peoples, can be a force,” said Brown. “It is rare, at a 2A school, to have kids that are 6’2-6’4, and we have a couple. Everyone is excited. They have all already bought in to the system.”

Brown will get his first look at his team on Thursday, as the Rebels will host a “play date” with Samson, Straughn and Geneva County. Tip-off is set for 9 a.m.