A plethora of basketball programs from Baldwin County took part in a preseason Media Day on Monday at the United States Sports University in Daphne.

From the local area, 18 teams were represented at the event, with players and coaches fielding questions from reporters and posing for photos.

Baldwin County Athletics Supervisor Spencer Segrest, who just started the job 11 days ago, got things started at 8:30 a.m. with an opening address before teams took to the podium throughout the morning and afternoon. He notably talked at length about the formal addition of shot clocks into the game this year, with all area schools having them already installed.

Here are some of the notable quotes and notes from what was said ahead of the season beginning in early November:

*Part 3 of 3*

St. Michael Catholic Girls

Representatives: David Offerle (Head Coach), Molly McDonald (SR, PG), Emmy Ronan (SR, PF)

• Offerle has coached at St. Michael Catholic since the school’s founding in 2016. He also previously coached for 15 years in the Memphis area.
• “The first year St. Michael was open, our program was only freshmen and sophomores. So we played a JV schedule, and then we went ahead and played varsity during our second year. Now we’ve got feeder programs and kids who have started from when they were really young, so that’s become our blueprint.” — David Offerle, Head Coach

St. Michael girls head coach David Offerle speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “I rely on our seniors. It’s been since about the fourth grade that I’ve coached them in some form or fashion, and they’ve played everywhere. You name it, we traveled to play them.” — David Offerle, Head Coach
• “I’m hoping to leave a legacy of being a leader. Last year we had four seniors that were starters with me, so this will be a whole new group that I’m playing with in a way, even though most of them I’ve been playing alongside in AAU since the fourth grade.” — Molly McDonald, Senior Point Guard

St. Michael senior Molly McDonald speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “We’ll build from defense out, because sometimes we don’t always shoot well, but if we can keep people from scoring, then we might keep ourselves in a ball game until we can hit our shots.” — David Offerle, Head Coach
• “It was definitely hard to come back from my injury and not be able to play with those seniors for much of last season. But I’ve been able to get my mobility back in my ankle and by the end of last year it was somewhat back to normal, so I’m good now.” —Emmy Ronan, Senior Power Forward

St. Michael forward Emmy Ronan speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “I think we’ve played with a shot clock two or three times thus far, and the players didn’t even notice it. It never went off, so I’m not too concerned about it.” — David Offerle, Head Coach
• “We have some pregame chants we do, some weird things where you can hear us from the locker room. So I’m continuing to teach the younger kids our superstitions.” — Molly McDonald, Senior Point Guard
• “In the past three or four years, we’ve really been trying to play better competition to prepare for regionals and subregionals. You’re not dodging anybody at that point, so you better be battle-tested.” — David Offerle, Head Coach
• “My assistant coach has really been on me about my post moves, just making sure that I keep my eyes up, be strong and get my jumper high in the air.” —Emmy Ronan, Senior Power Forward

Spanish Fort Girls

Representatives: Andrea Powell (Head Coach), Zoe Beckham (JR, G), Niyla Gandy (SR, Wing), Kylei Prescott (JR, PG)

• Starting her first season in charge of the Lady Toros program, Powell has been coaching for over 18 years, with her coming over from Vigor High School. She also played college basketball at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa.
• “They [players] bought in during the summer and are trusting the process. I always tell the parents that there’s a method to my madness, because I was a passionate player and I bring that intensity into coaching.” — Andrea Powell, Head Coach

Spanish Fort girls head coach Andrea Powell speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “We’re not gonna let each other slack. We hold each other accountable, and the program has shifted in that way this summer.” — Zoe Beckham, Junior Guard
• “I’m big on defense and rebounding. It comes down to the little things to win championships, and I just love the defensive mindset. I out-rebounded my forwards in college as a guard, and I think I have a coach who still owes me dinner for taking charges.” — Andrea Powell, Head Coach
• “I love this team. I have five seniors, four juniors and four sophomores, and everybody works hard.” — Andrea Powell, Head Coach
• “I like how passionate she [Powell] is about us, this new team and just pushing us, especially defensively.” — Niyla Gandy, Senior Wing
• “I eat, sleep and breathe basketball sometimes, but I also want to leave a legacy for my kids. My son is a freshman coming in, and he’ll be playing basketball, and I have a 10-year-old daughter who will also be playing sports.” — Andrea Powell, Head Coach
• “I lead by example. I’m not gonna tell you to get on the line and run, or push yourself in the weight room, if I don’t expect myself to also be able to do those things.” — Andrea Powell, Head Coach
• “Coach Powell and I worked a lot on ball-handling, shooting and defense. I’m just trying to be a better point guard for my team.” — Kylei Prescott, Junior Point Guard
• “She’ll [Powell] throw something crazy at us that we’ve never seen before or we don’t think we can do, but we’ve tried to be pretty open to things. And then she’ll prove us wrong, so we’re just trusting the process.” — Zoe Beckham, Junior Guard

Spanish Fort junior Zoe Beckham speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “I love Dawn Staley and Pat Summit, and I’m a big fan of Kim Mulkey because she’s from my hometown of Hammond, Louisiana.” — Andrea Powell, Head Coach
• “We’ll have ‘open gym,’ but the whole team will just show up and it’ll become a practice essentially. Specifically, Layla Thibodeaux (sister of Toros’ QB Jaylyn) will be the first one in and last one out as just a sophomore, and she can’t even drive yet.” — Zoe Beckham, Junior Guard
• Notably, the Lady Toros were the only team to say that their head coach also controls the pre-game aux.

Spanish Fort Boys

Representatives: Andre Epps Jr. (Head Coach), Jackson Wheeler (SOPH, G), Brayden Hereford (SR, G), Conner Payne (JR, G), Camari Roberson (JR, PF)

• Epps Jr. begins his first season at Spanish Fort after leading the Murphy High School program for the past five years.
• “This group is locked in. They’ve been putting in the work since I got here in June, and they’re bought in. My biggest thing is accountability, I try to get them to correct mistakes themselves.” — Andre Epps Jr., Head Coach

Spanish Fort boys head coach Andre Epps Jr. speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• A trio of seniors will lead the way for Epps Jr. this season.
• “He’s [Epps] been great. The intensity for our whole team has improved so much since he’s been here.” — Jackson Wheeler, Sophomore Guard

Spanish Fort sophomore Jackson Wheeler speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “I’m not the one who’s playing, so I want them to try to correct themselves on the court because they’re going to see things that I don’t see.” — Andre Epps Jr., Head Coach
• “Deshawn Sanders is one of the shiftest guards in Alabama, and he’s easily one of the best point guards in the state. He definitely puts in the work day-in and day-out, and he’s one of the best defenders on the court at all times. Definitely under-the-radar.” — Brayden Hereford, Senior Guard

Spanish Fort senior Brayden Hereford speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “When I first met with the guys, I asked them to raise their hands if they had been to regionals. None of them did, so we understand that what we’re trying to do is something that they’ve never done before.” — Andre Epps Jr., Head Coach
• “They go above and beyond to make sure everybody is ok on the team, and I think that’s what can balloon us to the top. Like, I shut down practice one day around five, and they just go ‘Hey coach, you be safe going back across the bay.’ It’s just the little things like that which make this group special.” — Andre Epps Jr., Head Coach
• “Just aggressiveness and intensity, that’s what we’ve been trying to build on through the months he’s [Epps] been here. We go hard at each other during practice and talk trash, because that’s just who we want to be.” — Conner Payne, Junior Guard

Spanish Fort junior Conner Payne speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “We might get mad at each other and end up scuffling a bit, but it’s all love at the end of the day. We make each other better by going hard on the court and in the weight room.” — Camari Roberson, Junior Power Forward
• The Toros will notably play games in Dallas (against former NBA player Tyson Chandler’s son) on top of various holiday tournaments this season. They will also be making a trip to the Smoothie King Center on Jan. 28, with Baker being the opponent.
• “I feel like this season is about to be something special for Spanish Fort.” — Camari Roberson, Junior Power Forward

Spanish Fort junior Camari Roberson speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

Foley Girls

Representatives: Wes Brewer (Head Coach), Shealia Carter (SR, F), Aubrianna Swails (SR, PF), Heaven Thompson (SR, G)

• Brewer is entering his first season at Foley and second year in Baldwin County overall. He had previously spent 27 years as a coach in Mississippi.
• “We talk in our program about how the most important thing we can do is develop our young ladies as people first. Then we can focus on the player aspect, but we believe all the things that go with being a young lady are vital to their success in basketball.” — Wes Brewer, Head Coach

Foley girls head coach Wes Brewer speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “I like talking to my teammates and seeing where their mind is basically. Because Lord knows I can’t do anything without my team and coaches.” — Shealia Carter, Senior Forward, talking about her being labeled the team’s “enforcer”
• “Foley High School has been very good over the past two years, but I think they graduated about 15 seniors over that time. So we don’t have a lot of experience, but the kids are amazing.” — Wes Brewer, Head Coach
• “We want people to see that we play the right way, we play hard and we play a physical brand of basketball where we compete and never give up.” — Wes Brewer, Head Coach
• “If you’re not following the rules, you gotta go. It’s as simple as that. If you don’t have skin in the game, we just don’t have room for it.” — Heaven Thompson, Senior Guard

Foley senior Heaven Thompson speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “I try to keep it to where everybody is getting along, talking to each other and having fun.” — Aubrianna Swails, Senior Power Forward
• “He’s [Brewer] brought so much positivity into the program, and I really feel like he believes in us. He’s that kinda person who will walk up and be like ‘How do you feel? Did you eat today? Are we getting to class on time?’” — Shealia Carter, Senior Forward

Foley senior Shealia Carter speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “We were told to make a pre-game playlist, but we haven’t gotten there yet. Nine times out of ten, I’m gonna be on aux though.” — Heaven Thompson, Senior Guard
• “I’m really a utility player, so it just depends on who else is out on the court.” — Aubrianna Swails, Senior Power Forward

Foley senior Aubrianna Swails speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

Foley Boys

Representatives: Roosevelt Moore Jr. (Head Coach), Haedyn Shoots (SR, PG), Reed Allen (JR, CG)

• Moore has been coaching for 23 years in Alabama, and he currently stands at 469 wins in his career. He’s hoping to reach the 500 mark in the near future.
• “But yesterday’s success means nothing for tomorrow’s success. Every year is a different challenge, a new group of guys.” — Roosevelt Moore Jr., Head Coach

Foley boys head coach Roosevelt Moore Jr. speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• The Lions only have two seniors on their roster after having 10 last year. Moore Jr. did emphasize that he’s a big fan of the junior and sophomore classes that will contribute on varsity.
• “We have a really fast play style. We like to go, so we just hope that the fans enjoy what they see and have a good night.” — Haedyn Shoots, Senior Point Guard

Foley senior Haedyn Shoots speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “We’ll spread it out like we did last year, but this year we’ll be longer in length too. A lot of kids from the last team grew a bit taller this offseason, so that’s a great thing to have.” — Roosevelt Moore Jr., Head Coach
• “There’s gonna be a lot more high-scoring games, and everybody will have to find their shot and score when needed.” — Haedyn Shoots, Senior Point Guard, talking about the shot-clock addition
• “I’d definitely say leadership, especially in the classroom. It’s not cool to be a follower, so he [Epps] definitely tells us to take the lead, whether it’s on the court, at your job, household or class.” — Reed Allen, Junior Combo Guard, talking about what Coach Epps has taught him thus far

Foley junior Reed Allen speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “How can I get the very best out of my players? To me, that’s the biggest challenge for a coach. Can I motivate a player to be great?” — Roosevelt Moore Jr., Head Coach
• “I’ll probably be on aux this year, and I’ll get us started with some G Herbo before taking requests as we go. For superstitions, I like to go up to our bigs and just push them around pre-game, making sure they’re ready for that.” — Haedyn Shoots, Senior Point Guard

Bayshore Christian Boys

Representatives: Kurt Lemire (Head Coach), Anden Scism (JR, Wing), Blake Strickland (SR, PG), Hill Simms (SR, Wing), Caleb Hester (JR, PG)

• This will be Lemire’s first season coaching the varsity boys at Bayshore. He also acts as the grammar school’s Athletic Director and a PE teacher for grades three through six.
• The Eagles have seven juniors returning to go along with a trio of seniors, an experienced core that has Lemire excited.
• “I challenged the guys in our first meeting: ‘Let’s do something special. Why not us?’ I want to take this group and bump them to the next level.” — Kurt Lemire, Head Coach

Bayshore Christian boys head coach Kurt Lemire speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “I would just really like to see us place high in the area, go play some bigger competition and really put Bayshore on the map to show people that we can ball down here in Fairhope.” — Anden Scism, Junior Wing

Bayshore Christian junior Anden Scism speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “We’re establishing a foundation for the future. It’s not just about me or us this year, we want to pave the way for guys that can keep competing at a higher level in this school.” — Kurt Lemire, Head Coach
• “I want a culture of encouragement. I need leadership within the team, because good teams have coaches that lead, but elite teams have players that lead.” — Kurt Lemire, Head Coach
• “There’s never going to be a time, even if we’re down by 20, where you’ll see an emotion change. Everybody on our team will still be locked in, playing like it’s 0-0 the whole game.” — Caleb Hester, Junior Point Guard

Bayshore Christian junior Caleb Hester speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “They’ve been playing together for a while, so they have continuity. They know how each other plays, know their strengths and weaknesses.” — Kurt Lemire, Head Coach
• “I’ve been playing next to Blake [Strickland] pretty much my whole life, so we bring the ball down the court together. It’s just a fun position to play, and we have an offense that moves the ball plenty, so it’s not like I really have the ball in my hands the whole time.”” — Caleb Hester, Junior Point Guard
• “I hope that when fans walk away from our games, and are like, ‘Man, those guys work hard, play to the end and represent Christ.’ If we win, I want people to say that we earned it. If we lose, I want our body language to be good.” — Blake Strickland, Senior Point Guard

Bayshore Christian senior Blake Strickland speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “Last year, we went over to Chickasaw and lost by 30-something. It wasn’t fun, and they pressed us the whole time. But two weeks later, we came back and beat them by one point at home to finish second in our area.” — Anden Scism, Junior Wing, talking about a memorable moment from last season
• “I decided to play football for my senior year, and in the first game I was running the ball and got tackled. I got up and my knee hurt, and then I woke up the next morning and couldn’t move it. I got an MRI and they told me I tore my PCL, but they said I’d be out for football but could probably be back for basketball. And this past week I went to the doctor and they told me I’m cleared to start working my way back into practice.” — Blake Strickland, Senior Point Guard
• “I would say that since I play football, there’s a lot from that which can translate to basketball, especially when it comes to hip mobility on defense.” — Hill Simms, Senior Wing, talking about how his other pastimes (football, baseball) translate to the court

Bayshore Christian senior Hill Simms speaks at Baldwin County Basketball Media Day on Monday, Oct. 12, in Daphne.

Parker Gillam / Gulf Coast Media

• “Hill [Simms], this is his first year playing basketball. He’s an athlete, so he’s been adapting and has been able to fit in really well.” — Blake Strickland, Senior Point Guard
• “I played in eighth grade, but I’ve always stayed in basketball by playing with friends and going to runs at the gyms. So it’s been challenging but fun, and I’ve already learned a lot and developed as a player.” — Hill Simms, Senior Wing
• “My dad played lacrosse at Auburn and went to a national championship, and my great-grandfather played basketball at Florida State. So we have a lot of height in our family; I’m actually the shortest out of all of us.” — Hill Simms, Senior Wing, who stands at 6-feet tall
• “I’d say 80-plus points on the board, I’ve got about seven 3’s, my boy Anderson [Harris] probably made about six 3’s, Anden [Scism] has about 25 points and the student section is going crazy.” — Caleb Hester, Junior Point Guard, talking about what an A+ game would look like for his team