Ozone rookies set for tourney play

By Nick Duke | Troy Messenger

Published Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Photo by Nick Duke

The Dixie Ozone Rookie Tournament team includes, William Adler, Hunter Blackmon, Montana Brown, Cody Henderson, Morgan Hutchinson, Jarrett Jordan, Eric Lee, Hayes Lee, Kiegan Simmons, Morgan Sullivant, Cole Wilson and Ty Witherington. Coaches are head coach Don Simmons and assistant coaches Ricky Henderson and Greg Brown.

The Dixie Youth Ozone Rookie Tournament Team is gearing up for its district tournament that will be played in Troy on June 26.

Head coach Don Simmons said splitting a pair of games in Enterprise helped his team in preparation for district.

“I like our chances,” Simmons said. “Down in Enterprise, we learned some things about ourselves and we saw some things we haven’t addressed, so we’re trying to address those things this week. I think we’re going to be ready.”

Montana Brown agrees with Simmons.

“I think we’re going to do good as long as we keep practicing,” she said.

Hayes Lee said the team’s performance in Enterprise was a positive sign.

“I think we did pretty good,” he said. “I think we have a pretty good chance of doing good in district, too.”

Simmons said his team has done a good job of growing as a team thus far.

“I always tell them that it’s like being family,” Simmons said. “You’re not going to play well with people you don’t like. Us as coaches have tried to work with the families and tried to get them together a lot. So far, I don’t think I’ve heard one cross word about it.”

That growth gives Simmons faith in his team heading into district.

“We look pretty good,” Simmons said. “I think we match pretty well against some of the other teams, especially in our age group. I think we’re as skilled as anybody.”

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