Experience is a tough thing to replace. However, when you have plenty of it returning from a season ago it is a luxury few teams can really talk about.
Norcross has the type of experience most programs dream about. The Blue Devils return eight players from its 2012 AAAAAA state championship team. These are not players who just played a role they were contributors to the team’s journey in capturing another ring. Players with that championship pedigree is difficult to replace but fun to coach.
“They have been through the war’s with us,” Norcross coach Jesse McMillan said. “They understand that this has been a journey.”
McMillan also mentioned the experience allows for them to realize the expectations of wearing a Blue Devils uniform. Norcross is always going to play against the best and be challenged by everyone on their schedule.
At the start of last year, some of these players who have the experience this season were not to sure of the pushback Norcross would get from all comers. They managed to weather the storm in regards to the early part of the season before running off 17-straight wins to win the state title.
“Last year, I don’t think the guys were quite ready for it and didn’t understand the level of competition,” McMillan said. “Everybody with experience knows the level they have to work at now.”
The work being put in and the leadership being demonstrated come from seniors Andre Chatfield (pictured on right) and Khalen Pinkett. Both started every game last season. Chatfield, a Harvard commit, is a calm and solid scorer in the Blue Devils offense. Pinkett brings the tenacity of a feisty defensive-mindset to the team.
“They learned a lot from (Central Florida signee) Brandon Goodwin how to prepare and have that dog mentality,” McMillan said. “They are like Fire and Ice. They work well together.”
This bond has caught on with the team. Since the end of the championship game, most of the players were ready to get back in the gym. Their energy went from elation to grind session mode throughout the summer and in the offseason.
“Every team is different with different types of challenges and personalities every year,” McMillan said. “This groups has been fantastic so far. They have really been consistent. They expect to win and want to win. They want to put the work into it.”
NORCROSS BLUE DEVILS
7-AAAAAA
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 27-6
HEAD COACH: Jesse McMillan
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Andre Chatfield (SR), Khalen Pinkett (SR), Ricky Madison (JR), Lorenzo Carter (SR), Thomas Cameron (SR)
NOTEABLE NEWCOMERS: AJ Farrar (SR), Tim Cameron (JR), Justin Kornegay (SR), AJ Bush (SR)
2012-2013
NOTEABLE GAMES: Montverde Championship tournament (Nov. 22-23), North Gwinnett (Dec. 6), Wenonah, AL (Dec. 7), Greenforest Christian (Dec. 14), Peachtree Ridge (Dec. 20), Beach Ball Classic (Dec. 26-30), Christ School (Jan. 25)
PARTICIPATING TOURAMENT/SHOWCASE: Montverde Championship Series, Florida (Nov. 22-23), Nike Explosion (Dec. 7), GAC Showcase presented by Blue Collar Basketball (Dec. 14), Beach Ball Classic, South Carolina (Dec. 26-30), Hilton Invitational (Jan. 25)
ROBERT ALFONSO JR.’s QUICK NOTES: Norcross is a national power that looks to make a championship run every season. The Blue Devils are poised to do what they did from 2006-2008, as eight players know what it feels like to hoist the state championship title. However, this road will not be easy. The Blue Devils open with a scrimmage game against defending AAAAA state champion Miller Grove, the five-time state winners. This is a good test for both teams who have experienced players and a championship moxie most programs in the state envy. It will also not determine who will win the state championship nor reflect on their records but rest assures the Blue Devils and the Wolverines will be in championship mode. … Norcross will start the season without the services of seniors Lorenzo Carter, as he will look to lead the football program to another state championship as well. … Some new faces expected to appear on the Blue Devils roster this season are senior Justin Kornegay, AJ Bush and AJ Farrar. All three would make some solid contributions this season.
