2023-2024 Team Preview: Gardendale Rockets

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Gardendale Rockets</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Class 6A Area 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Head Coach: Chris Berry</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Last Season Record: 17-9&nbsp;<em>(According to maxpreps.com)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>X/Twitter</strong>: @GdaleBasketball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2248668' first='Ty' last='Harris']</strong>&nbsp;(6'3/G/'24)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ty is a 3-level scorer who can create matchup problems for opposing defenses. He has good positional size at the high school level and can really get it done off the bounce. He is a playmaker who is difficult to contain as he often slashes through defenses, causing collapses in defensive rotations, which he exploits. He will be looked upon for leadership on and off the floor.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2257734' first='Cody' last='Vance']</strong>&nbsp;(5'10/G/'24)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Cody is a fiery competitor who plays extremely hard on both ends of the floor. He is the Rockets glue guy who will do whatever it takes to win. He does a good job providing point production when opportunities present themselves, and he also keeps the offense flowing and teammates involved with his facilitating skills. He plays with a ton of confidence and a ton of energy.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>David Rodgers</strong>&nbsp;(6'2/F/SR)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">He brings a tremendous amount of toughness to the Rockets. He is a gritty defender who can guard all five positions. David is the kind of player that every team that is serious about contending needs. His intensity on both ends of the floor is something that his coaches hope will be contagious across the team.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">When asked about two players who will be key pieces of the puzzle for his team this season that were not listed in the top three above, Coach Berry quickly mentioned the following two players:&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2224471' first='Ryan' last='Burkett']</strong>&nbsp;(5'10/PG/'24) only played in a hand full of games as a Junior due to injury. He was the team's leading scorer as a sophomore, averaging 20 ppg. He is a two-way player who is very skilled offensively and can potentially be an elite perimeter defender.&nbsp;<strong>Xander Moore</strong>&nbsp;(6'1/G/'24) had an incredible summer and is poised for a breakout Senior season. He is a tenacious rebounder and can get out and make plays in transition. He is an active mover without the ball and will surprise many with his level of play this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The Rockets are a very experienced team with nine seniors, and Coach Berry is hopeful that with the maturity as well as some young talent, the squad can be very competitive in 6A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">When asked what it would take for his team to make a deep playoff run, make it to the Final Four, or even win the State Championship, Coach Berry told me his guys must strive to get better every single day. Hopefully, with that mindset, they can be playing their best basketball when the postseason arrives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->