For five straight years Greenville Christian School basketball coach Logan Collins has taken his players to a Memphis Grizzlies game.
On Dec. 23, Coach Collins and three of his Saints, seniors Mike Mohead, Antonio Moore and JaMichael Short, made the trip, once again, to the FedExForum to see the Grizzlies take on the San Antonio Spurs.
These annual outings to Memphis mean a great deal to his players, Coach Collins said, because many of them have grown up loving the sport of basketball but have never seen an NBA game in person.
“It is really fun to see the smiles on their faces when they see some of their favorite players,” Coach Collins said. “Our team is a family, and I want them to experience all the great things about life.”
Five years ago, Coach Collins decided to bring his Saints to Memphis after he was looking for something they could do while also playing in a basketball tournament at Magnolia Heights School in Senatobia.
The players and coach had such a blast he had to keep bringing them back.
Coach Collins and his Saints usually take advantage of a group discount the Grizzlies offer to youth basketball teams. Collins said he is planning on taking his entire team to another Grizzlies game later this season.
While attending the games, the Saints don’t just cheer on their favorite players. Coach Collins finds teachable moments as well.
“I will talk to them about ball movement and how players are affecting the game even without the ball,” Coach Collins said.
“I want them to learn how they can also affect the game in different ways.”
