Blue Eagles Return Plenty Of Experience, Talent For Last Year In Class Double-A

NEW MARTINSVILLE -- Experience will be one of the strengths for Coach Dave Tallman and his Magnolia boys' basketball team heading into the 2023-24 season with a pair of seniors and two juniors returning to lead the show for the Blue Eagles.

In all, Magnolia's returning players averaged nearly 50 points and over 20 rebounds a game total last season.

With a roster consisting of 15 players, Tallman feels that his squad could have a little bit of an advantage in preparing for teams.

"There is a lot of competition for positions and practice has been very fun," Tallman admitted. "And it is very nice being able to go five on five every day, which pretty much makes every practice like a game. I think that is something that could give us a huge advantage."

Senior Hayden Pyles, a 6 ft. 4 in. shooting forward, leads the way after dropping in 21 points a game last year with six rebounds and three assists. Classmate Brady Kocher, a 6-5 pivot, scored eight points with seven rebounds, while junior Dubale Greathouse (6-2, forward) added 12 points with nine rebounds and was a state champion in the Class A high jump as a sophomore.

Sophomore Kingston Christian (5-11, point-guard) had a nice freshman campaign with eight points and three assists while junior Hunter Oats (5-8, guard) is a returning letterman who was the football team's leading rusher.

Main competition for playing time will come from Spanish foreign exchange student Lucas Pena, a 6-2 sophomore, juniors Eli Midcap (6-4, forward) and Darin Shimp (6-3, pivot) along with senior Carter Clegg (6-1, forward).

The remainder of the roster consists of sophomores Scott Bailey (5-8, guard), Carson Wade (6-0, guard), Jackson Fortney (6-1, forward), Jaxon Poe (6-3, forward), Brayden Byers (6-1, forward) and Preston Beverlin (5-10, guard).

"We are going to have our work cut out for us with our schedule, our section and our region, but we are very optimistic with our goal the same as it is every year - a state championship," Tallman added. "Our gym floor has been redone and that is giving the kids even more excitement and enthusiasm.

"This is looking like it might be our last year in Class AA with a possible drop to A next year, so we really would like another crack at a AA state title.

"Our first four games are on the road, which really might be a good thing and help turn us into road warriors. We are going to need to shore some things up early on. But the good thing is that most of our road games are still pretty close and not very long trips at all. Our second game at Wheeling Central is going to provide a nice, early barometer."

In actuality, eight of the Blue Eagles' first 10 games will be played away from New Martinsville, including a trip to Tyler Consolidated's Boggs Tournament in mid-January. Magnolia will take on Brooke at their own Rotary Classic, which will include Class AAAA power Morgantown for the second year in a row, coached by Tallman's son Dave.

The Eagles will open the campaign on December 5 at Ritchie County.

Tallman will be assisted by former Sistersville High standout Randy Shuman, who returns to the Ohio Valley from coaching stints in Florida.