After a disappointing first-round exit from the state playoffs last season, the Greene County boys basketball team is back to work with hopes of turning experience and depth into a deeper postseason run in 2026-27.
Head coach Mark Wright believes the pieces are in place for the Tigers to take a step forward, but much of the focus this summer has been on making sure players understand the importance of the offseason.
“We’re just trying to get the boys in the gym as much as possible,” Wright said. “It’s a lot of consistent conversations about helping them understand how to prioritize their time and understand time management to be the best possible version of ourselves as a team and as individuals.”
Greene County returns the bulk of last year’s roster while also adding several players from an undefeated junior varsity team. Wright said those younger players were intentionally given varsity minutes last season to help prepare them for larger roles this winter.
“We have a plethora of talent coming back,” Wright said. “We haven’t really lost anything. We’ve actually gained as far as guys coming up from our undefeated JV team to playing varsity.”
Among those expected to contribute are guard Keith Hall, point guard Zaven Williams, and TJ Weaver, a versatile forward whose effort on the glass has already impressed the coaching staff.
“TJ is undersized, but he rebounds like Dennis Rodman,” Wright said. “He doesn’t care about shooting. He just wants to rebound and get those extra possessions.”
The Tigers also have a promising freshman prospect entering the program in Andrew Robinson. Wright described the 6-foot-6 or 6-foot-7 athlete as raw offensively but capable of making an immediate impact on defense.
“Defensively, he affects a lot of shots,” Wright said. “He blocks threes and just changes the game with his length and athleticism.”
While the younger players provide added depth, Greene County’s veteran leadership will remain the foundation of the team. The Tigers return four seniors, including standout Braylen Hurt and All-Region first-team selection Corey Brown, who was also tied in the voting for Region Player of the Year.
Point guard Quay Williams and defensive specialist Klemonta Riley round out a senior class Wright expects to lead by example.
“We have a solid nucleus coming back,” Wright said. “We’re pretty athletic, and we look forward to the competition this upcoming season.”
The Tigers’ schedule will look different this year. After routinely playing larger Class 5A and 6A opponents in recent seasons, Wright has adjusted the schedule to maximize postseason positioning while still providing quality competition.
Greene County’s slate includes games against Morgan County, Georgia Military College Prep, Aquinas, Macon County, Marion County, and Hancock Central, among others.
One game Wright ensured was on the schedule was a rematch with Mitchell County, the team that ended Greene County’s season with a first-round playoff loss last year.
“I made sure we had Mitchell County on the schedule this year,” Wright said. “They’re coming to us this time.”
On the court, Wright expects Greene County’s identity to start on the defensive end. The Tigers have built their success around aggressive defense, and he believes the added athleticism will allow them to create even more pressure.
“Our defensive pressure is going to be very key,” Wright said. “We can be more aggressive and more harassing on defense to create more offensive opportunities.”
That defensive intensity is expected to fuel a faster offensive approach as well. Rather than relying heavily on half-court sets, the Tigers plan to push the tempo and take advantage of their athletic depth.
With a veteran core, promising young contributors, and a favorable home schedule, Greene County enters the offseason confident it can contend for a 20-win season and make a stronger push when the state playoffs arrive.
“If guys can maintain the standard of what we expect as a team,” Wright said, “we should be pretty solid this year.”