By Thomas Sellers Jr.
As Ryan Ross enters his “junior” year at Munford High School, he will count on a foundation of 11th graders to be the bridge for his program taking the next step. Three years ago Ross arrived to Tipton County and looked to established his vision of sending players to the next level, building boys into men and growing his players into a competitive focus in District 13-3A. Now the current roster of Cougars looks to continue persuading those goals. “I was looking forward to year three,” Ross said. “I’ve got some guys in there who have played varsity basketball before its been there time to be called on. I really haven’t had that in the past. These guys have played a lot last year. “Three or four of them were starters by the end of last year,” he added. “So we’ve got some experience coming back this year. They’ve worked rally hard. I like where we’re at but we’ve still got a lot of work to do. It’s November but if we work hard everyday we’ll be where we need to be by February.” Last February the Cougars were competitive in district and in the tournament coming up short. Munford depended on Kelan Ivy on both ends of the court to battle district foes like Dyer County, Hardin County and defending champions Brighton. Ivy is not preparing for his first college basketball season at Bryan College. “He’s a tough one to replace — no doubt,” Ross acknowledged. “He did do it all. So there might not be just one guy who can replace him. It might take two or three different guys to do all things he could do to make up for that. “The one thing this team does have, it’s the most athletic team I’ve ever had here,” he continued. “I think its the most experienced team we’ve had. Its going to come down to putting the work in every single day, building that consistency every single day to get to where we need to be.” Ross said that consistency starts with “The Twins” Kylan and Kyree Cunningham in the backcourt scoring the ball and defense. Zach Yelvington will handle most of the point guard duties and be counted on for play making on the offensive end. In the interior James Farrow has gotten bigger and stronger to battle on both ends in the paint. Ross said his core group has improved their bodies and basketball IQ’s just in time for a new and improved District 13-3A. “It the toughest it’s been in my three years,” Ross noted. “Brighton is the favorite. They’ve got everyone back. Liberty, you talk about their history. Every time they step onto the court, they expect to win and will have athletes who play really hard. Dyer County has Big Rico and a guard transfer in from Dyersburg that’s really good. “You can’t count out Hardin County especially with the tournament at their place,” he continued. “They’re really good everywhere but they’re real, real good at home. I think we’re going to be better than we’ve been.” Ross said the opposing district makes the Region tough overall. The third-year Munford Coach said in order for his team to have a legitimate chance they have continue the primary philosophy from Day One. “It’s consistency every single day,” he said. “Are you working to win a championship. To win a championship, you have to work hard every single day in practice. That’s our chance to be a championship.
“That’s not a once in a while thing or a twice a week thing, but a everyday thing,” Ross concluded. “We’re working to get there. We’re not there yet but we’re taking steps there everyday. As long as we keep taking steps to get there, I think by the end of the year we’ll like where we’re at.”
