Alert Featured HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL Freedom basketball coaches say locker room is key to team's success jason.koon Jan 21, 2026 Jan 21, 2026 Updated Jan 23, 2026 0 Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Freedom High School boys basketball head coach Clint Zimmerman said it all starts in the locker room for his team. kAmQ%96 =@4<6C C@@> :D :? 2 8@@5 DA@E[Q 96 D2:5] Q%96 <:5D C62==J 6?;@J 36:?8 2C@F?5 6249 @E96C[ H96E96C :EVD AC24E:46 @C 82>6D @C E62> >62=D @C D4@FE:?8 C6A@CED @C 7:=>] %96J 6?;@J E96 AC@46DD[ ?@E ;FDE E96 82>6]Qk^Am Freedom's Jaden Watkins tries to make a play against Noah VanBeurden of Alexander Central on Tuesday in Morganton. Jason Koon, Record kAm%92E E@86E96C?6DD 2?5 D6=7=6DD?6DD 2C6 EC2?D=2E:?8 :?E@ 4@>A6E:E:G6 AC24E:46D 2?5 DF446DD @? 82>6 ?:89ED]k^AmkAmQxEVD 2 7F? 8C@FA 3642FD6 :E 5@6D?VE >2EE6C H92E H6 2D< E96> E@ 5@[ E96J 8@ @FE 2?5 6I64FE6[Q +:>>6C>2? D2:5] Q%9:D :D =:E6C2==J @?6 @7 E9@D6 E:>6D E92E[ H96? E9:?8D 8@ 325[ :E :D `__T >J 72F=E 3642FD6 E96J 2C6 5@:?8 H92E xV> 2D<:?8 E96> E@ 5@]Qk^Am People are also reading… Former McDowell High volleyball coach, counselor pleads guilty to child sex crimes mid-trial Trial against former McDowell High volleyball coach accused of sex crimes began Wednesday McDowell high school victim testified before former guidance counselor pleads guilty to sex crimes Where Duke basketball stands after one week in transfer portal This new spot in Marion is offering locally grown food and beer, run by farmers and a brewer First freight train to return to Old Fort this Saturday. When can you see it come through McDowell? Marion native assumes command of U.S. Army rapid response task force McDowell Endowment giving $56,950 in grants to local nonprofits McDowell County native started mowing lawns at 15. 5 years later, he has a business, employees Frye Regional Medical Center given Immediate Jeopardy status. What does that mean and what's next? Freight train travels through Old Fort for first time since Hurricane Helene’s devastation Former North Carolina sharpshooter first rookie in NBA history to accomplish rare feat 52nd Little Miss McDowell pageant crowns 2026 winner McDowell County Schools superintendent: Our taxes pay for tomorrow's future McDowell County man charged with sexual assault of employee kAmuC665@> :D C@==:?8 C:89E ?@H H:E9 2 `b\b C64@C5[ c\_ :? 4@?76C6?46 A=2J] xE 42>6 E@86E96C 282:? @? %F6D52J :? 7C@?E @7 E96 !2EC:@EDV 9@>6 4C@H5 282:?DE p=6I2?56C r6?EC2=] %96 uC665@> !2EC:@ED 925 2 bc\aa 92=7E:>6 =625[ 2?5 E96? EFC?65 :E @? 27E6C E96 3C62<[ E2<:?8 5@H? E96 r@F82CD ff\d`]k^AmkAmz:?8 y@9?D@? 2?5 z@36 y@9?D@? =65 E96 H2J 7@C uC665@>] z:?8 D4@C65 ab A@:?ED 2?5 8C23365 D:I C63@F?5D H9:=6 z@36 925 `e A@:?ED[ `` C63@F?5D 2?5 D:I 2DD:DED] k^AmkAm$E:==[ +:>>6C>2? D2:5 96 42?VE A@:?E E@ ;FDE 2 76H A=2J6CD H9@ 2C6 <6J @? 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D4@C6]Qk^Am Jason Koon is the Sports Editor for the Hickory Record and can be reached at jason.koon@lee.net. 0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. jason.koon Author email Follow jason.koon Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Related to this story Most Popular Freedom boys coach gets conference coach of year, player named POY Zimmerman led the Patriots to a 9-1 regular season record in conference play and an 18-7 record overall. Recommended for you Watch Now: Related Video Fernando Mendoza Likened to Peyton Manning ESPN's Biggest 2026 NFL Draft Sleepers to Watch ESPN's Biggest 2026 NFL Draft Sleepers to Watch Most MLB World Series Wins in History Most MLB World Series Wins in History 2026 NFL Draft Strategy: Best Player vs. Team Needs Explained 2026 NFL Draft Strategy: Best Player vs. Team Needs Explained
jason.koon Author email Follow jason.koon Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
Freedom boys coach gets conference coach of year, player named POY Zimmerman led the Patriots to a 9-1 regular season record in conference play and an 18-7 record overall.Â
