Warriors are picking up steam as new year starts

Don't let Grovetown High School's sub-.500 record fool you.

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The boys basketball team seems to be hitting its stride at the perfect time.

To understand why a team with a 4-6 record as of Tuesday night -- and with a six-game losing streak on its resume -- is on the upswing requires some background information.

Bill Madigan did not find out he would be the boys basketball coach until just before the school year started. Because he didn't get the chance to coach the players during the summer, he was faced with the task of getting a team ready in only a few weeks.

In that sort of situation, it just takes time to get the kinks worked out. Plus, it's not like the Warriors have had a non-region schedule full of cupcakes; they've played Greenbrier three times, Lakeside twice (including a season-opening, one-point victory), Evans once, and a strong Aiken squad twice.

During their six-game losing streak, Madigan admitted that doubts crept up.

However, Grovetown followed the skid by winning the F&M Bank Christmas Tournament at Washington-Wilkes.

Then, the Warriors won their opener Tuesday night against Greenbrier in the Robolli's Christmas Classic.

With a pair of star players in Mike Chandler down low and Denzell Garrett on the perimeter, as well as a strong supporting cast, the Warriors have the ability of playing with anybody.

They should be in fine form when Region 3-AAA North play starts this week, as Grovetown plays host to rival Harlem on Friday night.

The sub-region has a pair of stalwarts in Richmond Academy and Thomson, but Grovetown should have a solid shot at grabbing a spot in a region play-in game.

By that point, the Warriors might just be peaking.