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CAMERON -- Although the majority of its roster is made up of freshmen and sophomores, Cameron Head Boys Basketball Coach Tom Hart says likes the mix of youth and experience with his 2023-2024 squad.
"This is a very interesting and intriguing group this season," said Hart, who enters his 8th season at the helm of the Dragons. "Without question, this is a very young team; the bulk of the team are freshmen and sophomores. However, we have kids that love the sport, are willing to work hard, work together and make each other better. I like the mix of players we have."
Despite their youth, the Dragons return three starters from last season's 14-12 club that advanced to the W.Va. Class A state tournament for the third consecutive year while battling a brutal schedule and numerous injuries during the season. Those three starters are seniors Lance Hartley, Colson Wichterman and Colton Winters.
"Lance and Colson have been playing varsity since they were freshmen and have started for three years. Colton stepped into a starting role last season. They are good students, good athletes and lead by example. They believe in the team concept," Hart said.
Hartley (6-5) earned first team All-OVAC and All-Valley accolades along with honorable mention All-State a year ago. He averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds per contest.
Wichterman (5-11), the record setting quarterback on the football team, was also a first team All-OVAC selection last season. He scored nearly 10 points, handed out six assists and grabbed five rebounds per night.
Winters (6-2), who picked up second team All-OVAC honors, had "a great summer of basketball and has gotten stronger in the off season," according to Hart.
Another key returnee for the Dragons is junior lettermen Mason Scott (6-1) who is recovering from a football injury. He burst onto the scene in midseason last year and into the Dragons varsity rotation after leading the junior varsity team in scoring the year before.
Three other juniors: Trey Estel (5-10), Cuyler McCauley (5-7) and Camden Frye (6-1), along with sophomores Colin Magers (6-3) and Danny Yoss (6-2) may play into key roles for Hart's club.
"They work well with our veteran players and our veteran players work well with them."
Other sophomores in the overall mix include Carter Paczewski (5-11), Hunter Dobbs (5-8) and Ryan Schrack (5-9), along with a pair of promising freshmen in Zade Long (5-10) and Preston Hartley (6-0).
Lost to graduation were Cole Burkett, a 1,000 point career scorer, along with Brayden Marling and Mason Debolt.
Hart is assisted by Matt Burge, Tim Brown and Logan Burkett.