As the basketball season whips around the corner, a new coach is back in town for the JV team and assistant varsity.

Coach Larry Hicks returns.

“He’s a great advantage for our program,” varsity boys coach Roger Brown said. “He has great coaching experience.”

Brown and Hicks coached together for two years in 1994-1996.

“I left in ‘96 and came back in 2007,” Brown said.

Hicks’ first year coaching in Decatur was 1986. He then left in 2007.

“Decatur feels like home to me,” JV coach Larry Hicks said. “When I came back it almost seemed like I was never gone.”

Brown enjoys working with Hicks again.

“I love it,” he said. “[Hicks] has a passion for the game.

Loving the game, Hicks’ favorite part is the competition.

“I’ve always loved it,” Hicks said. “I’ve been around it my whole life.”

Back for the first time in four years, the team enjoys his presence.

“I like coach Hicks,” junior Nathan Mitchell said. “He’s a good coach.”

Brown describes their coaching skills as opposite. In the end, it works.

“We balance each other in practice and games,” Brown said.

Working well together, Hicks learns from his old assistant coach.

“Brown has gained a lot of experience,” Hicks said. “It’s nice coming back, working with him and learning from him.”

Different than before, now the coaches watch their sons play basketball.

“I think it’s really cool we now have boys and we get to see them play together,” Brown said.

They make three goals for the season.

“Our first goal is to always win the district championship,” Brown said.

The teams’ second goal is to make the regional tournament.

“Our final goal is to be the first boys basketball team in Decatur to make state tournament,” Brown said.

Individual goals are set in the mind of each player.

“[My goals include] working hard through every game, do the best I can and keep improving,” Mitchell said.

Practicing every day, Brown describes coaching as a challenge.

“There are so many personalities out there,” he said. “Players, coaches, parents, officials.”

Dealing with all different types, Brown’s favorite part is watching the guys come together as a team.

“I’m drawn to the intensity and competitiveness of the games and practices,” Brown said.

Varsity assistant coaches Hicks and Casey Jones help lead the team to success.

“I think Coach Jones has played a big role,” Brown said.

With coaches around every corner, the players enjoy their assistance with tips and comments.

“They help me with dribbling, workouts, weight lifting, different drills and discipline,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell’s position on varsity basketball is center and forward. He describes the sport as challenging.

“Every opponent that you have and every game you play has a unique different challenge,” Mitchell said.

Coaches create high expectations for the team to reach and accomplish.

“They expect hard work, dedication and effort,” Mitchell said.

Hick’s expectations for the JV include continually getting better.

“I want to be able to move on to varsity level competition and prepare them for the future,” Hicks said.