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By SETH STASKEY
HANNIBAL -- Some things are worth waiting for.
River basketball coach Mark Romick certainly subscribes to that theory.
You see, the start of the Pilots season was delayed because of the football team's run to the third week of the postseason. Though it may take the players who arrived late a few weeks to get their 'basketball legs' under them, Romick believes it'll all be worth it in the long run.
"You have kids coming who know how to win, were in big situations and know how to perform, which is a good thing," Romick said. "I have no problem with it at all. There are a lot of good byproducts from a successful (fall sport) team and I'll take those anytime."
The Pilots' boss had 10 players play football, including a few key cogs. Though he was missing some guys, preseason practices have been spirited since there were nearly 20 players in the gym.
"We've had good numbers the last several years," Romick said. "We have 30 kids in the program. We're going to have a separate freshmen team, so things are good in that way. Our junior group only has three, so those numbers are kind of thin."
River is coming off an impressive, but still unsatisfying 2016-17 season. Romick, who is in his 22nd year as the head coach, guided the Pilots to a 19-5 record, equaling the school record for victories. They were knocked off in the OVAC Tournament by eventual champion Wheeling Central and then lost to Sandy Valley in the district semifinal at Steubenville.
While the Pilots boast three returning lettermen, including senior standout Lukas Isaly, who is on track to become the school's all-time leading scorer, Romick knows plenty of work remains ahead if his team is to duplicate its success from last season.
Though long-time assistant coach and defensive guru Gard Curtis retired, the Pilots are still going to be committed to the defensive end. And they'll mix and match their approach, too.
One thing is for sure about the Pilots, they do boast a player who is a tough guard and will score the ball in the 6-foot Isaly. A returning first team All-Ohioan, Isaly is right around 1,500 points for his career and is chasing Mitch Miracle's school record of 1,778. He's coming off a season in which he averaged 21.7 points a game.
"Unless there's an injury or something unforeseen, Lukas will have a very strong chance of breaking the school record," Romick said. "He's simply a scorer, but he's not a volume scorer. I don't think he's ever taken 25 or more shots in a game. He shoots about 55 percent from the floor."
Senior Drew Dietz (6-2) will be a swing player for the Pilots. He's also going to be asked to become more of a scoring threat after netting just 4.7 points a game last winter.
"Drew was a full-time starter last year," Romick said. "He's a decent defender, runs the floor well and we're going to be counting on him for rebounds."
Cody Hupp (6-1) is another who will need to supply a greater contribution on the offensive end after averaging just over four points per contest.
Romick expects 6-3 junior John Murphy to make a push for significant minutes this winter.
Jason Deaton (6-0) is another who will see time in the backcourt along with junior James Hendershot (6-0). Senior Tanner Brown (6-0) has come back out after taking his junior season off.
Two sophomores Romick is high on are Colton Lawrence (6-1) and Stone Thompson (6-0).
Kris Pfalzgraf and Scott Piatt return, while Jordan Indermuhle has joined the staff.
Dec. 1: at Frontier 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 2: Hiland 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 8: Monroe Central 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 12: Linsly 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 15: at Martins Ferry 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 16: Shenandoah 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 19: at Bridgeport 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 22: Shadyside 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 27: at Paden City 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 30: Columbus Bishop Ready* 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 3: at Shenandoah 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 9: at Magnolia 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16: Frontier 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 19: at Linsly 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 26: at Shadyside 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 27: Union Local 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 30: St. Clairsville 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 2: Magnolia 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 6: at Monroe Central 7:30 p.m.
* at Tuscarawas CC