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By KIM NORTH
MORRISTOWN -- Zach Delman liked what he saw at the tail end of his first season as head coach at Union Local last winter.
With four starters back, Delman's second season at his alma mater holds a lot of promise.
"I thought we ended on a great note. Obviously, it was a tough loss. We were up 10 going to the fourth quarter, but they battled back and beat us at the end," he said of a season-ending setback to a good Garaway team in the district tournament that left the Jets at 10-13.
"Considering where we were earlier in the season, we were up-and-down and always around .500 it was nice to see us go on a little run there at the end (of the season)."
Union Local lost just one starter in point guard Jeremiah Mott.
Also picking up their diplomas last spring were Nik Bilyeu, Isaiah Meyer, Zach Lucas and Colby Haney.
With only one starter gone, that means four return for Delman, who is more than welcoming them back.
"Last year we didn't have a player that started the year before, so we were a little inexperienced and I was inexperienced as a head coach," Delman said. "This year we're be further along early-on because of that factor. We'll have more leadership and more experience."
The four returning starters are seniors Ty Kildow (5-foot-10 guard), Cody Ray (6-0 center) and Luke Menges (5-11 guard/forward), along with junior Cal Kildow (5-7 guard).
"Ty averaged about 12 points a game last year and earned special mention All-Ohio," Delman said. "He's not big or fast, but he always seems to find a way to get off a shot. He's extremely fundamental. He's a good shooter and handles the ball well. He understands the game … time and score situations, so we like to get the ball in his hands and let him try and close out games for us."
Ray, the center and middle linebacker for the football team, is a banger in the middle. He averaged 6-7 rebounds a game last year.
"He plays a lot bigger than his size, but he is a really, really good defender," Delman said. "He understands post defense very well. He's always in great position and checks out well. He's also effective around the rim and we're going to need some more scoring out of him this season."
Menges injured an ankle early in the first football game of the season and is nagged by it.
"Luke is another under-sized player for his position, but he also plays bigger than he is," Delman said. "He's a strong kid and our best defender hands-down. He'll draw the toughest assignment each night based on matchups, but he'll relish it. He had a good summer shooting the ball."
Cal Kildow, fresh off a 1,000-yard passing season for the Jets, rounds out the returning starters. He scored 14 points a night last year and will be counted to do a little more this season.
"Cal is a very heady player. He's very fundamental, handles the ball really well and shoots it pretty accurately," Delman added. "His defense has really improved and that is where we will need his help more this year."
Elijah Baker, a 6-0 junior, is expected to fill the vacant point guard role.
"He's been playing for a long time," Delman said. "He's very heady and has the best court-vision of anyone on our team. He always makes the right play and spent all summer and fall putting up shots and lifting weights. It might not show, but he's gotten bigger and stronger. He had a good summer and we're expecting big things from him."
The remainder of the varsity roster includes seniors Zane Thompson (5-9 guard/forward) and Derek Smith (5-10 forward); juniors Andrew Smith (6-0 forward) and Stuart White (6-2 forward/center); and sophomores Hunter McCort (5-10 forward) and Zack Kelich (6-0 guard/forward). White, however, will be sidelined for a while after breaking his foot recently.
Vaughn Butler returns as Delman's top assistant. Jimmy Hess comes on board to coach the jayvees, while Doug Butts leads the freshman squad. Dustin Roe is also a varsity assistant.
Dec. 1: Martins Ferry 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5: at Buckeye Trail 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 8: at Harrison Central 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 12: Bellaire 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 15: Wheeling Park* TBA
Dec. 16: at Shadyside 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 19: St. Clairsville 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 23: Toronto ** 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 29: John Marshall 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 3: Steubenville Central 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 9: Harrison Central 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 12: at Bellaire 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 13: Shadyside 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16: at Martins Ferry 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 19: at St. Clairsville 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 20: Barnesville 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 23: Buckeye Trail 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 27: at River 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 3: Buckeye 8 TBA
Feb. 6: at Barnesville 7:30 p.m.
* Sam Andy Classic (at WesBanco Arena)
** at OUE