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LOA’s Jaden Hillsman (25) guards an opponent in a win last December. The freshman forward earned All-Region Second Team honors this year. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff -
Lake Oconee Academy head coach Josiah Rechenbach directs his team in a game against Westminster Christian Academy in December. Rechenbach helped turn the program around in two years but wants more out of his team next season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff
Lake Oconee Academy’s basketball team fell one game shy of making the GHSA Class A Division II state playoffs.
The Titans finished the season 8-19 overall and 4-10 in region play. While that might not look good to some, head coach Josiah Rechenbach saw progression in his second season. Still, he isn’t “satisfied” with the result.
“We accomplished some good things this year, but I am not satisfied with how it ended. I think a lot of lessons can be learned from the experiences we had this year,” Rechenbach said. “We only graduate one senior, so everybody is going to be returning next year. Hopefully, they’re ready to take the next step. From last year to this year, we took a small step forward. But we are looking to take a bigger one going into next year.”
Lake Oconee Academy won a program-record eight games in 2023-24, which represents significant progress under Rechenbach’s direction since the team went 0-21 just two seasons ago.
In Rechenbach’s first season, LOA won six games, including one against rival Greene County. The Titans took an extra step and won two more contests while staying competitive in a good portion of games this year.
LOA’s season included a tough non-region schedule, with an out-of-state trip to Tennessee, where it played quality competition. The Titans also faced several teams in the region that made a deep run in the state playoffs.
With the trip to Tennessee, Rechenbach’s goal was to put his players in an unusual environment and see how they reacted. His squad went 1-3 against out-of-state opponents but more importantly, was competitive in every game.
“I think the trip was good for us,” Rechenbach said. “It exposed our guys to different competition. We competed well. It was a chance for us to play teams that were out of state and not a part of our region schedule.”
The coach witnessed juniors Torin Maddox and James Wright step up as leaders and he will rely on them next year. He also watched freshman Jaden Hillsman make the All-Region Second Team, which is big for the future.
“(Jaden) was the only freshman to make an All-Region team. I was pleased with his development. He’s been working since the season ended on his game,” Rechenbach said. “I think his sophomore year could be special and he’s got a chance to be a great player. Those three guys (Hillsman, Maddox, and Wright) were great for us.”
While some players compete in spring sports, Rechenbach highlighted others have already been in the gym. They’ve all started working together on preparing for the summer, which contains a few scrimmage games.
“Guys have already been getting after it, whether it is shooting, or a couple of our guys are playing travel ball,” Rechenbach added. “In June, we go hard with practices and a team camp. We’ll also go to a couple of different colleges, so we play a lot of basketball in the offseason and summer in preparation for next season. I’m trying to help them understand if we’re going to take the next step, it’s a year-round commitment to our craft.”