James Clemens Senior Night Special For Players And Departing Coach

MADISON- The James Clemens “Senior Night” festivities for the school’s boys basketball program were more than celebrating the prep years for the 11 graduating seniors on the team roster. The celebratory evening also featured the honoring two of the team’s star players reaching scoring milestones and the tribute to head coach Danny Petty who will call it quits as a coach and educator after 46 years.

Both Garrett Hicks and A.J. McGinnis were presented with commemorative basketballs signifying their reaching the 1,000 points club within the Jets program. Hicks, the 6-foot shooting guard has scored 1,103 points while the 6-4 guard/forward McGinnis has 1,038 points in his resume.

“Both have been excellent players both offensively and defensively since they became starters for us as sophomores,” said Petty of his two 1,000-point seniors. “Both have sacrificed their own personal statistics to help the team, especially this season. Matter of fact, how they play is usually how we go.”

Hicks has been a verbal commitment to Alabama A&M where his father, Bryan Hicks, is the Athletic Director. McGinnis on the other hand is still looking at his possible college to attend and is currently uncommitted.

The evening was also a special evening for Petty. He was recognized by the team and school administration for his long career and his soon-to-be retirement and presented a plaque signifying his outstanding career and significant importance to James Clemens.

“I sort of got chocked up when Dr. (Brian) Clayton presented me with my plaque,” said Petty, who’s in his fifth year as head coach of James Clemens. “I got emotional about my retirement, but it’s a good thing.”

Petty looks to being able to have what he called a “normal” Thanksgiving and Christmas and not having to coach games during the usual holidays. He indicated he wants to travel, watch basketball games without having to coach, socialize more, play golf and Pickleball, exercise and continue playing for his senior basketball team that will attend the National Senior Olympics in Albuquerque, N.M. scheduled for June.

In the last home game of the regular season, the Jets defeated East Limestone 49-34 and then completed the regular season with 52-46 road victory over Decatur. Area Tournament play is next for the Jets.

“This is a very sad, but happy time for me and I’ll never say never about coaching again,” added Petty.