Jamie Dickey preaches focus for Stratford basketball team

A game against perennial power Wilkinson County usually provides a team with a good measuring stick of its ability.

Stratford's 57-54 loss to the Warriors on Saturday in GHSA Region 7-A play offered a lesson for the Eagles: Against quality teams, it takes 32 minutes of focus to win.

"I felt like we kind of let one slip out of our hands," Eagles head coach Jamie Dickey said.

Stratford (8-3) had a defensive lull early in the third quarter that allowed the Warriors to overcome a 27-22 halftime deficit and take a 44-40 lead entering the final quarter.

"We had a little lapse coming out of halftime," Dickey said. "We didn't defend very well, and when you don't do that for three or four minutes, they can go on a 10-2 run in the blink of an eye, and that's what they did."

The momentum swing led to a possession-for-possession game down the stretch during which the slightest misstep could prove costly. Stratford had one in the final minute, and it provided the difference in the outcome.

"The guys came back harder in the fourth quarter, and we took the lead late and needed one defensive stop to seal the deal," Dickey said. "But we didn't get the secondary help in the post we work on all the time, and they made a simple bounce pass inside that the guy caught and laid in.

"You can't have mental breakdowns like that and win against good teams. You have to focus and challenge for 32 minutes or the smallest mistake will hurt you. "

Stratford rolled into Saturday's game on a seven-game winning streak. The Eagles' average margin of victory in the run was nearly 25 points. In Dickey's estimation, however, the streak looked more impressive than it actually was. None of the vanquished teams in the streak currently have a winning record.

"Honestly, I don't think any of those teams were as talented as we were, so they were games we should've won," he said. "Every win is a great win, and we're proud to have them, but we weren't challenged in those games like we were Saturday."

That opposition did allow Dickey more time to work in the nine players on his roster who also played football for the Eagles. Eight of those players were starters when the Eagles fell to  Aquinas in the Class A private school semifinals Dec. 8.

Stratford opened the basketball season that same night with a win over George Walton Academy. The following night, the Eagles lost at Northside, and two days later, they fell at North Cobb Christian.

The winning streak and getting the football players better integrated into the rotation began the following night against Schley County.

"We were able to use those games to get a lot of minutes for everybody and work in the guys from football a little slower," Dickey said. "I think that'll make a difference for us in January and February. I already felt like we had good depth."

The Eagles returned 10 players from last year's team that went 18-7 and lost in the state quarterfinals to eventual runner-up Greenforest. As such, Dickey is getting contributions from a variety of sources in a variety of ways so far.

Senior Quintez Cephus is the scoring leader at around 20 points per game. The 6-foot-2 guard nailed six 3-pointers on the way to 21 points in a win over Chattanooga Christian in the Tattnall Christmas Tournament to break Patrick Sullivan's school mark of 216 for a career.

Nate Brooks, a 6-foot-8, 235-pound junior, gives the Eagles a solid post presence and around 15 points per game while James Mitchell stretches the defense on the perimeter with Cephus. Sophomore Tyler Jordan has been a key contributor off the bench.

"This is one of the most talented, if not the most talented, teams I've had at Stratford," said Dickey, who's in his sixth season. "I feel like we have a lot of depth that gives us a lot of options."

The Eagles are back on the court Tuesday against FPD (7-3). On Friday night, Stratford hosts Tattnall Square (10-2).

"Both of those teams are so much improved from last year," Dickey said. "We need to regroup to get ready for a huge week."

Dickey returned to mental focus and defense as critical points for success against the rivals and for the remainder of the season.

"If we defend for 32 minutes, rebound well and don't get outhustled, we can be a tough team to beat," Dickey said. "With the maturity of this team, there should be the mindset of mental toughness that can carry you past mistakes.

"I'm excited about coaching this group. They have a lot of potential."

This story was originally published January 4, 2016 at 5:07 PM with the headline "Jamie Dickey preaches focus for Stratford basketball team."