February 10, 2026 — Our series, “A Week in the Life of Cobb Basketball,” continues with a distinct shift on Tuesday. Yesterday, we were on a ride following the perspective of the teenage student-athlete. Today, the script is flipped as we travel through a day of the high school basketball head coach.
 |  |  |
Hillgrove Boys Head Coach Gregory Moultrie is the frontman for a Hawks team that was 16-6 coming into this day. The Hawks have been in high gear lately, winning seven of their last eight games with an average margin of victory of 31.5 points. Moultrie’s team is in a battle to claim the second seed in 6A Region 3 with just three regular-season games remaining. On this day, his team traveled to South Cobb for a crucial regional matchup.
However, Coach Moultrie is more than a basketball coach. He is also a father with chauffeur duties and an educator during the regular school day.
Day: Tuesday (game day)
Location: Moultrie family home
Time: 6:15 a.m.
"I wake up and get ready for the day. I check emails and review reminders for tonight’s game while eating a light breakfast."
Coach Moultrie is out the door by 6:45 with two children in tow. His son rides in the front passenger seat and will take the whole ride to Hillgrove with his dad. The coach’s daughter is in elementary school and gets dropped off by 7:20. The coach then makes a quick stop for a morning coffee before turning his vehicle toward Hillgrove.
Location: Hillgrove High School
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
"The school day begins. I teach weight-training classes throughout the day, focusing on proper technique, safety, and helping students build strength. During my planning period and any other downtime, I prepare for the away game. There’s game film to watch, travel bags to pack, and mental notes to jot down. Every game day is important."
Time: 2:45 p.m.
"After the school day ends, I take a moment to have my own weight workout in the weight room. This helps me stay in shape, gets my mind right, and sets a positive example for my athletes."
Time: 3:45 p.m.
"I meet with the team after school to review expectations, discuss keys to the game, and make sure everyone is prepared."
Time: 4:30 p.m.
"It’s time to load the bus and travel to South Cobb. During the bus ride, I sit up front with the assistant coaches and discuss everything from basketball to movies. The boys are either releasing nervous energy through laughter or locking in with their playlists."
The Hillgrove Hawks team arrives at their opponent’s gymnasium and watches a few minutes of the girls’ game before entering the visitors’ locker room to get ready for their game.
Pregame speeches are rarely firestorms. This is a time for calm reminders and clear instructions. Coach Moultrie’s team is confident, and he has confidence in them. It’s an excellent recipe for game time.
Location: South Cobb High School
Time: 7:30 p.m.
"Game times are almost always fun. Today, the team is really clicking. I can sit back and enjoy the action without getting too animated. Games like this let me give younger players playing time, too. That’s important for the continuity of our program."
Time: 9:19 p.m.
"After the game, I briefly address the team post-game. I share some statistics and highlights, but I also point out some areas for improvement. We can always get better. However, there is a lot to like about this performance, and I think we are peaking at the right time."
Hillgrove enjoyed a 98-56 victory, actually increasing their recent surge in average win margin. Still, they are neck-and-neck with Pebblebrook in the fight for region seedings.
Time: 9:45 p.m.
"We return to the bus and head back to Hillgrove. I use the ride to reflect on the game, get feedback from assistant coaches to find out if there is anything they might have noticed, and I begin to think ahead to upcoming practices."
Time: 10:15 p.m.
"We arrive back at the school. I wait until all the players have left before I head home. These late nights can be tough, but they’re easier to take when we’re winning."
Time: 10:52 p.m.
"I finally arrive home and take a moment to wind down. After game nights, it’s sometimes hard to calm my mind enough for sleep, but I do my best. Tomorrow starts the grind for the next game."
Tomorrow also holds the next installment of our series. To this point, we have followed those on the boys’ side of the basketball schedule. On Wednesday, we will meet a girls’ student-athlete and take a look at how her day might differ from what we’ve seen so far.
h/t photos provided by Hillgrove High School
