The Morgan County boys basketball team has a dynamic duo in seniors Jacoby Simmons and Zeki Locus.
The veteran point guards have been key contributors for the Dogs since their freshman seasons and entered their senior campaigns as multi-year starters.
Their familiarity with the program has built up over time, as head coach Cody Anderson has worked with both players since they arrived on campus.
“Our offensive and defensive system relies heavily on point guards who can get us organized and ready to go,” Anderson said. “To have two guys who’ve grown up together and play the most valuable position on our team is priceless. We’re fortunate every single night when those guys win the draw.”
With several players graduating from last year’s roster, Simmons and Locus have stepped into expanded leadership roles, making this season feel different from the one before it. The pair understands the responsibility that comes with being the team’s on-court leaders.
“We need to step up from last year because we really had people in front of us showing us what to do,” Simmons said. “Now we have to do it from a better spot.”
Locus echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of guiding younger teammates as they adjust to varsity basketball.
“We’ve got younger guys coming up who need to learn how to play varsity basketball maturely,” Locus said. “We just have to be leaders on and off the court and show them how we want things to be done.”
Now in their fourth season under Anderson, both players say his influence has extended beyond basketball, shaping them as leaders and individuals.
“He wants to make you a better man, more than just a better basketball player,” Locus said. “He builds character a lot, and I realized he wanted me to step up as a leader instead of staying quiet.”
That leadership has helped guide Morgan County to an 18-6 overall record and a perfect mark in league play entering the region tournament. Still, the duo knows focus will be critical as the postseason approaches.
“We’ve just got to increase our focus,” Locus said. “It’s the small things — practice, watching film, how we carry ourselves when we prepare and warm up.”
For Simmons and Locus, the season has also been defined by the bonds formed within the locker room.
Locus said staying connected has been a priority.
“We look at each other as family — like brothers,” he said. “We try to limit adversity and tension in the locker room so we can play together the right way.”
While pleased with the team’s progress, the seniors believe there is still room to improve, particularly in communication.
“For me, it’s going well, but we still have a lot to work on,” Simmons said. “We need to communicate better on defense and trust our teammates, knowing where they’re going to be on the court.”
With sights set on a second straight region title and a deeper playoff run, the duo knows last season’s success guarantees nothing.
“Even though we won the region championship last year, it doesn’t mean anything for this year,” Locus said. “We’ve got to keep that mindset that we haven’t won anything yet — stay hungry, stay connected, and eliminate selfishness.”