Young Red Raiders Ready To Grow Into Contenders

Decatur High School   Class 6A Area 15     Head Coach: Ben Mastin   Current Record: 4-4   IG: decaturhoops   X: @DHSRRaidersMBB   Key Players:   [player_tooltip player_id='2194649' first='Dakota' last='Moncus'] (5'10/PG/'28/Decatur)   IG: Kotamoncus0   X: @KotaMoncus   Dakota is a poised floor general with a game beyond his age. He embraces making the right play, is a willing distributor, a tough shot-maker, and a natural leader whose growing command of the offense elevates the group around him.   [player_tooltip player_id='2639316' first='Kamron' last='Gamble'] (6'1/CG/'26/Decatur)   IG: _diskamm   X: @KamronGamble0   Kamron is a fiery competitor who brings energy and effort on both ends. He is a stingy on-ball defender, a confident shot-maker, and a tone-setter whose intensity fuels the Red Raiders.   Key Role Players to Watch:   Both of these players provide intangibles that are invaluable to this team's identity.   Gary Willie (6'1/F/'27/Decatur)   Gary brings relentless effort every possession. His motor is one of the best in the program, and he never shies away from physicality or big-moment challenges.   [player_tooltip player_id='3071258' first='Reeves' last='Waller'] (6'2/G/'26/Decatur)   Reeves is a coach's dream. He plays the game the right way, knocks down shots at a high rate, and competes with an edge that makes him a must-have piece on the floor.   Returning Starters:   Kam Gamble (G/12th Grade)   [player_tooltip player_id='3071258' first='Reeves' last='Waller'] (G/12th Grade)   Gary Willie (G/11th Grade)   New Additions:   [player_tooltip player_id='2194649' first='Dakota' last='Moncus'] (G/10th Grade: Transfer from Grissom HS)   Jayden Pointer (F/11th Grade: Moved Up from JV)   What To Expect From The Red Raiders This Season:   Decatur's identity is rooted in toughness, pace, and unselfishness. They want to defend relentlessly, generate stops, and turn defense into transition offense. On the offensive end, the focus is on ball movement, spacing, and high-value shots, not isolation. With multiple playmakers on the floor at all times, the Red Raiders aim to be unpredictable, balanced, and connected.   Defensively, communication and discipline are the backbone. The Red Raiders apply pressure without over-gambling, protect the paint, and emphasize finishing every possession with a rebound. Their standard is simple: play harder, smarter, and more connected than their opponent. When they do that, they can compete with anyone.   Ultimately, it comes down to daily habits, accountability, effort, and a team-first mindset. Those are the pillars being reinforced every day in practice.   What Will It Take for The Red Raiders To Win State?   For Decatur, the formula is consistency, maturity, and mastering the small details. Talent gives them a chance, but execution and connectedness will determine their ceiling. They must defend at a high level every possession, take care of the ball, and value every trip down the floor. Playing unselfishly, trusting each other, and sticking to their identity, especially when adversity hits, will be the difference.   They have the pieces: skill, depth, youth, and work ethic. Now it is about habits, discipline, and hunger. If they continue to buy in and stay healthy, their path to a deep postseason run is absolutely within reach.   #TerryTalks   I had the chance to watch this young and talented group in their season opener, and their collective energy immediately stood out. Despite graduating seven seniors from last year's squad, this group is building chemistry fast and shaping into a legitimate contender. Their early schedule has been no joke, multiple top-10 matchups across classifications, and Coach Mastin is encouraged by what he has seen so far.   In a recent conversation, Coach Mastin spoke highly of sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2194649' first='Dakota' last='Moncus'], describing him as a true game-changer with a mature approach and a bright future.   The Red Raiders will continue navigating a tough stretch with matchups against Lawrence County tomorrow (12/1/25) and Austin on Friday (12/5/25). They will also compete in the Pepsi Classic (Austin HS) and the Metro Tournament (Homewood HS), facing several strong opponents. This is a young team, but one that is only going to get better as the season progresses.

Decatur High School