NATCHEZ &8212; The transition from coaching football to basketball has not been easy, but it is a transition that first-year Adams County Christian School boys head basketball coach Josh Loy said he has enjoyed.

&8220;It&8217;s been interesting,&8221; Loy said. &8220;I&8217;m a football coach, coaching basketball.

He said the biggest challenge he has faced as a first year head coach has been relating his coaching experience, gained in football, to his basketball players.

&8220;It&8217;s been difficult because, while I am familiar with the game, I have not been around it a whole lot in seven years.&8221;

Another challenge Loy has faced has been building up his team. He said when he took the job, the Rebels had only three returning players.

&8220;I had to do some recruiting in the hallways,&8221; said Loy.

Loy&8217;s efforts paid off, as he now leads a team of three seniors, five juniors and three sophomores.

He said his main goal for his team this year is for the Rebels to be a better team at the end of the season than when they began. He said his short-term goal is to have his team ready for district play.

Loy said the Rebels must stay disciplined in order to get better, adding that it has been difficult with early season losses. He said his team is in the process of rebuilding.

&8220;We still keep it fun, otherwise the players would get burned out,&8221; Loy said.

Prior to coaching Loy, 26, graduated from Louisiana State University in 2004 with a bachelor&8217;s degree in education. After graduating from LSU, Loy worked as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach at Southeastern Louisiana and a graduate assistant defensive backs coach at Delta State while working on his masters in physical education.

With the program in a building phase, Loy said he is going to try to get more students interested in basketball so the program will continue to grow.

&8220;If we can get more kids in here (the gym), get them playing and keep them playing, the better chance we will have in the long run,&8221; said Loy.

Loy will get his taste of rivalry action tonight when the Rebels travel to take on cross-town rival Trinity Episcopal.

He said despite being new to the position, he is familiar with his opponent. Loy said he played for Trinity head coach David King when he was in high school.

&8220;Trinity is going to be ready, and they are a good basketball team,&8221; he said

Loy said his team might have an edge because they have played a few more games and had a few more practices than Trinity, as a result of the Saint&8217;s extended football season.

&8220;His players will be in shape, so we will have to try to get his players into foul trouble early,&8221; said Loy.

Loy said despite the Rebel&8217;s less than picture perfect start, he is enjoying being a coach, and hopes his team will continue to improve.

&8220;I am enjoying being around the kids. Things have not taken off like we wanted them to, but the kids are practicing and playing hard. And we are getting better,&8221; said Loy. &8220;That is satisfying enough for me right now.&8221;