By Daniel Evans

The Selma Times-Journal

Morgan Academy’s girls varsity basketball team took their turn on the court Thursday at the school’s playdate, a fast-paced three day event that has showcased junior varsity and varsity teams from around the state.

For Morgan Academy girls basketball head coach Jennifer Moore, the playdate allows her more time to build confidence in younger players that will see a lot of playing time in the fall.

“We are relatively young, graduated a lot, especially our shooters. I’m just trying to get them used to the idea of shooting and building confidence in their shot, regardless of if they make it or not,” Moore said. “Keep pushing, keep hustling, keep working to get better. That’s what these playdates are all about, just getting better.

Moore’s team played Hooper, Edgewood, EMCA and Southern on Thursday. Each opponent offered up different challenges and different teaching points.

“We lost pretty bad to Hooper,” Moore said. “They are a pretty good team, but they helped us out defensively because they pressed us and that helped us work on the press.”

Moore’s team was shorthanded during Thursday’s event, with only seven players available.

“I’ve actually pulled up some of our junior varsity to help us out, because some of my varsity is at church camps and other basketball camps,” Moore said.

Last season, Morgan Academy’s girls varsity won 10 games, but the team made great strides.

“We got better as the season went. [We] lost by eight points at the end of the year from making it to the finals in regionals, but we played hard and had fun,” Moore said. “Overall we improved as a team, but now we are just starting over.”