Scrimmage games are organized practices just before the start of the regular season. In Georgia, you are allowed one opportunity to see your team take what you talked about in practice in hopes they execute.

The games, for the most part, are competitive and truly give coaches and players a better understanding on what needs to be done. Win or lose, there is a lesson to be learned from scrimmages.

Miller Grove beat Norcross 64-57 on Thursday night just before it kicks off the new season. Sure this was a game between 2013 state champions but both coaches walked away understanding that in order to get back to Macon there are some things they liked and things that need improvement.

Here is what I learned watching Miller Grove.

1. Is there a faster backcourt in the state? This was the question I asked myself as senior Keith Pinckney and sophomore Alterique Gilbert pushed the ball up the floor in a frantic pace. This duo is also good at getting the rebounds themselves and going, which is rare for some guards. Let the debate start now and I am willing to listen, but until another tandem shows me different, these guys are in the lead.

2. It is a shame for a player with the heart, strength and natural ability to grab rebounds that James Walker has not really received any interest from schools. When you really watch him play, there are things he does you cannot teach or put in some drill. Walker is a lunch pale, hardhat wearing player who changes the game with his energy and physical play. He finished with 13 rebounds against the Blue Devils and 12 points.

3. The Wolverines are a relentless team that plays 94-feet for 32 minutes. Every player steps on the court understanding, if you don’t sell out for the person next to you your time will be limited. Also, if you don’t box out don’t worry they will make sure to clean up any misses left. Last night, Miller Grove had at least three shots to make plays on the offensive end while limiting Norcross to one shot, for most of the night. The Wolverines finished the evening with 41 rebounds. This could be the key for Miller Grove as the season progresses.

4. Free throws is the Achilles heel of any season. Most players don’t take serious at times and in close games it can cost them. Miller Grove coach Sherman White was not happy with his teams performance from the charity stripe. Miller Grove was 17-of-36 for the game, 12-for-23 at halftime. Players need to understand when its time to shoot free throws in practice that is not the time to socialize. On the contrary, that is the time you need to be the most focused because that one point can make all the difference in the game and your final stats.

5. Terrell Coleman only played with the varsity team during the team camp in the summer. He also was going through conditioning and basically had a spot on the Wolverines roster. However, the 6-foot-5 incoming freshman still had an impact on the DeKalb School as the team has what would’ve been his number 24 jersey embroidered on their sweat suit jackets, while fans sported Terrell “Too Tall” Coleman t-shirts with his number on it as well. A young life and talent lost too soon but not forgotten.