BETH HAVEN
Coach: Michael Stinnett (second year).
Last season: 20-5, lost to Valley 74-66 in district first round.
Player to watch: G Duncan Barber (5-11, Sr., 10. 7 ppg., 3.3 rpg., 4.5 apg.). “Duncan is real smart and has a good feel for the game,” Stinnett said. ”He’s a good three-point shooter (28 of 58 for 48.3 percent). We need to get him a lot more shots this season.”
Other top players: C Cody Mikel (6-4, Jr., 10 ppg., 6.4 rpg.); F Austin Streble (6-3, So., 9.7 ppg., 4 rpg,); F Daythan Greathouse (6-4, Sr., 2.5 ppg., 2.2 rpg.); G Jaylyn Allen, 6-0, S0., (2.2 ppg., 1.5 rpg.); G Jose Mims (5-9, Sr., 2.5 ppg.); F Ryan Gibson (6-3, Sr., 3.9 ppg., 2.9 rpg.).
Outlook: Despite losing last season’s top two scorers in Victor Billingslea (16.2) and Joseph McNair (14.9), Stinnent looks for another good year. Barber knows how to run an offense and Stinnett says the Bearcats have eight players who can score. “We could be hard to guard if everything comes together,” he said. “Rebounding will be the biggest key for us.”
FAIRDALE
Coach: David Hicks (second year).
Last season: 12-15, lost to Holy Cross 54-46 in district first round.
Players to watch: F Trae Richardson (6-4, Sr., 13.9 ppg., 5.6 rpg.) G Glenn Queen (5-11 So., 9.2 ppg., 2.5 rpg.). “Trae is the best athlete we have,” Hicks said. “If he can control his composure, we have high expectations for him.” Trae scored 361 points and hit 57.5 percent of his field goal tries. “Queen came into a tough situation as a freshman and started at point guard,” Hicks said. “He plays hard every night.”
Other top players: F Ethan Longacre (6-0, Sr., 5.2 ppg.1.7 rpg.); F Bradlee Sanford (6-1, Sr., 3.1 ppg.1.9 rpg.); C Korey Tipton (6-4, Sr., 5.9 ppg., 6 rpg.); F Treziaun Allen (6-1, Jr.,); F Martesse Irvin (5-11, So.).
Outlook: The Bulldogs return everybody who played at the end of last season. “Our experience is a strength and they all understand our system better,” Hicks said. “We played slow last season, but we’ll be able to play more up-tempo now. Longacre is a strong kid who can play down low for us and Richardson can finish a play.”
HOLY CROSS
Coach: Mike Durham (10th year).
Last season: 15-17, lost to Doss 78-46 in regional first round.
Player to watch: F Nick Hickey (Sr., 7 ppg, 3.9 rpg.). Nick is a great practice player who also is a good game player,” Durham said. “He also played football and was an all-region soccer player. He took 29 of our 35 charges last season. He’d rather get an assist than shoot the ball. That’s how tough he is.”
Other top players: G Caleb Wimberg (5-6, Sr.); C Ethan Driskell (6-8, So.); F Ethan Short (6-4, So.); G Chase Phillips (6-0, Jr., 2.6 ppg.); F Cooper Short (6-1, So.); F Chris Snyder (6-4, So.); F Quinton McKinney (6-0. So.).
Outlook: “We’ve got nice size and we’re athletic for the first time in a while,” Durham said. “Our kids can get up and down the floor and can jump. We have to turn that into basketball skills. The key for us is whether we can rebound and play defense. In eight games last season, we held our opponent to under 40 points.”
PLEASURE RIDGE PARK
Coach: Dale Mabrey (35th year).
Last season: 18-8, lost to DeSales 58-55 in regional first round.
Player to watch: G Hunter Stevenson (6-0, Sr., 7.6 ppg., 2.3 rpg.). Stevenson has been a starter off and on since his freshman year so he’s the Panthers’ most experienced player. He’s a decent shooter who hit 30 of 108 threes for 27.8 percent last season and should team up with improved sophomore point guard Gerald Gray to give PRP a nice backcourt combination.
Other top players: F Chris Drabo (6-5, Sr.); C-F Logan Hudson (6-5, So.); G Gerald Gray (5-11, So., 1.7 ppg.); F Jorian Thompson (6-3, Sr., 2.7 ppg., 2.6 rpg.); G Trey Curry (6-2, Jr.); F Trey Trice (6-2 Sr.); F DaRon Washington (6-5, So.).
Outlook: PRP has less experience than it usually starts a season with. However, the Panthers always have been in the regional title chase under Mabrey, and the veteran coach expects his Panthers to do same thing this season. The addition of Hudson, a transfer from Thomas Nelson High, and Drabo, a transfer from Iroquois, will definitely help. Drabo reminds Mabrey of rugged Richard Gaines, last season’s inside workhorse.
VALLEY
Coach: Joe Harris (second year).
Last season: 6-23, lost to PRP 87-65 in district first round.
Player to watch: F-G Eric George (6-4, Jr, 14.5 ppg., 3.9 rpg.). He scored 29 points in a district tourney loss to PRP last season. “With his size, Eric can shoot over defenses,” Harris said. “He can play inside or outside. He led us in three-point shooting (42 of 113 for 37.2 percent), but he can also post up and penetrate.” George made 137 of 172 free throws for 79.7 percent.
Other top players: G Cam Wilson (6-0, Fr., 9.1 ppg.); F Tymetrius Walter (6-0, So., 8.1 ppg., 1.8 rpg.); F Devious Brooks (6-1, Jr., 7.9 ppg., 3.7 rpg.); G Trae Anderson (5-10, So., 5.5 ppg.); F Curt Lewis (6-4, So., 6 ppg., 4.3 rpg.); F Roekwon Evans (6-3, Jr.); G Dewann Phillips (5-6, Sr.); G John Brewer (5-10, Sr.).
Outlook: The Vikings return a lot of players from last season, but they are still young and undersized with no seniors in the rotation. “We can score with anybody, but we must defend at a high level and rely on three-point shots,” Harris said. “Walter hit seven threes against Beth Haven last season.”