Gatewood Gators head basketball coach Don Keiser has quickly learned this season that nothing comes easy.
Injuries, a young roster, and a relentless schedule have tested his team’s depth — but not its fight.
The biggest concern right now is junior guard Landon Moreno, Keiser’s lone returning starter from last season, injured a couple of weeks back after twisting awkwardly and pulling something in his abdomen.
“He got an MRI last Friday, and we’ll find out if he has to have surgery or not,” Keiser said.
Unfortunately, Gatewood is in a rebuilding phase after losing a strong senior class from last year, forcing Keiser to now rely heavily on underclassmen.
“Some nights I’ve got two eighth graders and three ninth graders in the game,” he said. “That’s not an ideal situation.”
The results have reflected the uphill battle.
After winning this year’s season opener 76-44 over John Hancock Academy, the Gators dropped a 66–42 decision to Augusta Prep, fell 64–34 to Piedmont, and suffered a lopsided 67–24 loss to Georgia Military College before getting back in the win column with a 54-48 victory over John Hancock again.
“So, we’ve beaten them twice now,” Keiser said. “At least we got the win.”
The road only gets tougher.
Gatewood faces Mount de Sales Tuesday night in Eatonton (past press time), a team Keiser describes as “very good.” The Gators then hit the road to finish out the year, visiting Piedmont Academy this Friday night in nearby Monticello, followed by trips to Westminster Christian Academy in Watkinsville the next day, and GMC in Milledgeville on Dec. 20.
The Christmas/New Year break follows before the Gators are back on the court Jan. 2 at Mount de Sales in Macon.
For now, though, Gatewood and Keiser will keep up the fight through youth, enthusiasm, and resilience — with a coach determined to get the most out of his team one game at a time.