Hollis was the Mustangs’ stallion

Mustangs are known for their speed, and the Knox Doss Middle at Drakes Creek boys basketball team racked up victories in a hurry this past season.

Eighth-grade point guard Garnett Hollis played a key role in the Mustangs’ 20-1 campaign, averaging 11 points, six rebounds and three assists per game.

Hollis was a big reason why KDDC went undefeated in the Sumner County Conference, winning the league’s regular-season championship and sharing the conference tournament title with Station Camp after the championship game was cancelled due to inclement weather.

The Mustangs’ season ended with a 53-50 loss to Blackman in the Tennessee Middle School Athletic Association (TMSAA) Middle Tennessee Sectional Tournament semifinals.

As a result of his play, Hollis has been named the Sumner County Boys Middle School Basketball Player of the Year.

Hollis recently discussed the season, his future plans and a variety of other subjects. His feedback is as follows …

Not many players get to experience a 20-game winning streak, but the Mustangs did this year. What was that like for you to have that much success this season?

It was kind of overwhelming, because it’s kind of hard to beat a team more than once. But we just worked hard in practice and kept it going.

How tough was having your only loss come in the sectional tournament?

It was a tough loss, because we went 20-0. It was our first loss, and it was our last game of the season. It was tough, but we took it very well. Nobody pointed any fingers or blamed anybody. We all knew that it was a team game, and we lost as a team.

What was the biggest key for the Mustangs’ success this year?

We played the best team ball, because we didn’t care who got the credit. We didn’t care who scored the most points. We just wanted to win the game. I couldn’t have gotten here without my teammates, because you can’t go one-on-five. They really helped me get better in practice as a person and as a player. This is a team award, not just individually. This is for my team.

What was your best game this year?

I think it was the first game of the season (a 57-42 victory over visiting Hunter on Nov. 5), when I scored 24 points. It wasn’t just because I scored 24 points, but I got everybody involved. I played defense pretty well that game. I also think it was the Blackman game. I didn’t really do anything in the first half, and I got in foul trouble. So, I couldn’t really help the team as bad as I wanted to. But in the second half, I came back and helped them get back into the game, and even though we lost, I was still proud of myself for how we recovered.

What did you improve most about your game this year?

I really worked on attacking the hoop and really making sure that I got everybody involved. I knew that I could take over a game any time I wanted, but I wanted to get everybody involved. I really just worked on my passing and dribbling, so I could get anywhere on the floor and get everybody else shots.

What do you like to do before a game?

I like to listen to music and mostly lay down and chill, really get comfortable. I listen to a lot of hype music, rap mostly.

Is there anything interesting that people don’t know about you?

I don’t think people really know that I’m a real big Christ follower. Sometimes, I can show in school that I can do my own thing. I get in trouble in school sometimes ... I’m not going to lie. But after school, when I go home, I study the Bible, because I know that I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Him.

What’s it like playing for head coach Brent Cothron?

He’s a great coach. He’d get on to you when you needed it. But he never gives up on you, and he’ll always be there when you need him. Playing for him is nice. He never yelled at you for missing a layup or missing a shot. He got on to you for not hustling or bad effort. He got on me really hard sometimes in practice, because sometimes I practiced like I’m the best person in this county. He got on to me, and that made me into a better player.

What are your plans for high school?

I think I’m going to Battle Ground Academy. There were some other schools, like Pope John Paul II and Ensworth. But I had a good bond with the football coach (at BGA), so that’s why I picked them. I’m going to play football and basketball there.

Knox Doss head coach Brent Cothron’s thoughts on Hollis …

Garnett was such a versatile player for us this year. Although he played point guard, with his size and strength, we could post him up and utilize his rebounding skills. He made a lot of big plays this year that led to our team’s success. It was a pleasure coaching him the past two years. I’ve enjoyed watching him evolve into a fabulous basketball player and a fine young man.

Reach Chris Brooks at cbrooks@tennessean.com or at 615-575-7118. Follow him on Twitter @CB_SumnerSports.

All-County Boys Team

Durstin Adams, White House

Max Barnett, Knox Doss

Dairius Bell, Portland West

Kirby Bickerton, Westmoreland

Kavon Blankenship, Rucker-Stewart

Drew Hohenbrink, Ellis

Jermaine Holt, Station Camp

Jacob McDonald, White House

Eric Mobley, Shafer

Samari Patton, Portland West

Connor Simmons, Portland East

Eli Thurston, Ellis

Chris Townsend, Hunter

Alex Vaughn, Station Camp

Jordan Zuger, Hawkins