VALDOSTA— As the Lowndes Vikings gear up for their upcoming basketball season beginning in January, head coach Reshod Benjamin and his team are already in full swing with a packed pre-season schedule. 

Over the next two months, the Vikings will be playing a series of preparatory games, honing their skills and building the teamwork needed for a promising season ahead.

Coach Benjamin has emphasized the year-round dedication required to succeed in basketball, pointing to an extensive regimen of weight training, individual skills practice, and strategic planning that began long before pre-season officially started. 

“Basketball is prepared for year-round,” he said, discussing the effort invested by the players. Their goals are clear: play their best, claim the regional title, and ultimately secure the coveted No. 1 seed.

This year, the Vikings’ resilience and physical preparedness are boosted by support from Lowndes track coach Joseph Robinson, whose pre-season conditioning program has been instrumental in strengthening the team’s fitness and versatility. 

Coach Benjamin looks forward to using the upcoming games to test the Vikings’ adaptability on the court. “Sometimes you do not always win the same way,” he explained. “With a variety of talent, we are going to be able to win in a variety of ways.”

When asked about the team’s leadership, Coach Benjamin was quick to praise senior Kam Jackson, last year’s Region Offensive Player of the Year. Jackson has embraced a lead role, setting a strong example for younger teammates and helping the Vikings strive toward their goals. 

Coach Benjamin also commended Tarrell Green Jr., Isaiah Camon, and Rashaud Adams for their ability to fill multiple roles, bringing versatility and depth to the squad.

Players often arrive at school as early as 6-6:30 a.m. to practice their skills. Coach Benjamin highlighted the importance of this commitment and the ownership players are taking over their progress and the program itself. 

“We have been working really hard, and the guys are excited to get on the court this year,” stated coach Benjamin. 

In the first game of the pre-season, the Vikings recently traveled to Phenix City, Alabama, to face off against Central High School’s Red Devils, where they encountered a challenging match, ending in a 70-46 loss. Kaiden Brown led the team with 13 points, while Camon, Adams, and Jackson each contributed 7 points. Green added 6 points, rounding out a solid effort from the team.