The Lake Oconee Academy boys basketball team is looking to peak at the right time of the 2025-26 season.
The Titans are trending in the right direction, as they’ve started playing better in the last few weeks. They know they still have a long way to go, though, with the most challenging part of their schedule coming up.
Most of the teams that LOA will face down the stretch will be region opponents, but head coach Josiah Rechenbach feels his team is up for the challenge.
“We have mostly region opponents left on the schedule, and our region is loaded,” Rechenbach said. “I think that, without question, our region is undoubtedly one of the best in our classification. So, every single one of those games will be a dogfight.”
Lake Oconee Academy’s region features Warren County and crosstown rival Greene County, two teams that reached the Final Four last season, along with Towns County, Washington-Wilkes, and Lincoln County.
The Titans have never made the postseason but took a step in the “right direction” on Jan. 9 when they knocked off the Red Devils of Lincoln County.
“I believe we’re headed in the right direction, and last week was a testament to that,” Rechenbach said. “We got a huge win on Friday over Lincoln County, a team that’s ended our season the past two years, so that one was really significant for our guys and for our program.”
According to LOA’s head coach, several players have stepped up in the last few weeks, which is a positive sign.
“For one, I feel like my seniors are stepping into their roles as leaders,” he said. “Corrion Jernigan is a really vocal leader for us, and CJ Taylor has really been stepping up as a leader these past couple of weeks. I’m proud of him. Henry Hines is a senior. He’s another guy who’s stepping up as a leader.”
Rechenbach also mentioned he’s seen Akeem Redd take on more responsibility.
“He has come a long way for us as a post player,” Rechenbach said of Redd. “He’s a sophomore and a football player, so he’s a multi-sport athlete, but he’s become a presence for us in the post. It’s been a blessing that he has developed the way that he has.”
Overall, Rechenbach wants his team clicking when the regular season ends and the region tournament begins.
“I feel like we’re really starting to figure out all the pieces of our puzzle,” he said. “Now, it’s just about putting it together on a consistent basis.”
The Titans (5-11, 1-1) have three region games this week. They hosted Washington-Wilkes past press time on Tuesday and will then face Warren County and Greene County on the road this Friday and Saturday.