By: Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
In his 6th season as Head Basketball Coach at Montgomery Academy, and 10th season overall with the program, Jeremy Arant has led the Eagles to the Class 3A state championship. The 2002 Prattville graduate, who currently lives in Deatsville, led a dominant Montgomery Academy team that finished the season with a record of 34-2. The Eagles only loses on the season were to much larger schools, Class 7A Auburn High and Huntsville High.
Arant’s team had an impressive stretch in the Class 3A playoffs. In the Regional Final, Montgomery Academy defeated Lee-Scott 68-35. In the Final Four in Birmingham, the Eagles defeated Glencoe 84-49, and in the State Finals, MA defeated Mars Bible 65-56.
“It feels really good to win the state title,” said Arant. “This is our school’s first state championship in boys basketball in history so to be able to do that makes it special. Really though the most special part of this whole thing is just knowing the joy that our players felt. They work so hard day in and day out and there is not a group of young men out there more deserving. Just to see the joy and sense of pride and accomplishment on their faces after the game was amazing for me. These kids have loved each other and sacrificed for each other all for this one goal and to see it come to fruition for them is what it is all about for me. I love all these players like they are my own kids and we talk about being a family and sacrificing for each other and being there for each other.”
Arant cited the team first mentality as the key reason behind his team’s success this season. “We had kids sacrifice personal accolades for the betterment of our team. We had kids sacrifice playing time so other guys could be key contributors and never complain and always supported each other. This team truly bought in to being a complete team and being there for their teammates. There is no doubt our team is super talented. You can’t win 34 games without having some really talented players, but their commitment to each other and to the team all season was inspiring and something I will cherish forever.”
Arant now adds a state championship to his coaching resume that also includes being named the Capital City Conference Coach of the Year last season. His overall record at MA is 120-73, and he hopes to keep having a big influence on the students he coaches. “My future coaching goals are to continue to have a positive impact on young people. I love this group of young men, and they have helped me continue to understand why I love coaching young people. They were a fun, caring, selfless group of young men who were a huge blessing in my life. This team is truly what coaching high school sports are about and to watch them grow and develop and learn how to be great teammates and brothers has been amazing.”
