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Tyler Consolidated boys' coach Steven Nutter is hoping his team can build off of the success the football team had in reaching the Class A state playoffs this season.
The Silver Knights will be led by a large group of seniors in Hayden Brown, Connor Bailey, Garon Broughman, Mason Nichols, Garson Gorby and Brody Seckman with juniors Zade Billings, Ethan Clark, Jayce Miller and Jake Lancaster.
Sophomore candidates include Brady Strode, Colby Nicols, Layton Gorrell, Tripp Perrine and Jason Keller. There is also a huge freshman class in Bo Tallman, Reese Davis, Brody Giovinazzo, Garrett Bordenkicher, Cole Lemasters, Parker Hayes, Adam Shreves, Tanner Starkey, Trysten Magruder and Jacob Henderson.
"We are really hoping to build off of the football success with the kids excited to be in the gym and ready to come together as a team," Nutter said. "So far they are showing up to practice focused and ready to work, knowing each minute is valuable in the development of becoming one unit.
"The goal is to be better than we were the day before and to grow as individuals along the way.
"Our schedule is difficult, and the guys will be battle tested by the time championship season arrives. I am really blessed to have a great group of seniors who have been leading the way on and off the court."
The Silver Knights open the campaign at home against Williamstown on Dec. 13 before embarking on a four-game road swing.
ON THE BOYS' side, Coach Jarrell Bailey takes over the Wildcats and welcomes back three returning starters for the 2022 campaign.
Sophomore Joey Baker (6-0, forward) and juniors Jeremiah Thomas (6-1, guard) and Mickey Guerra (5-9, guard) will all play key roles for Paden City this season with junior Adri Lila (6-1, forward) and senior Oskar Lehtonen (6-2, forward) both logging significant minutes. Tommy James (5-7, guard) is the lone sophomore on the roster while freshmen Brayden Neff (5-8, guard) and Skyler Wright (5-11, forward) should both see significant playing time. The other freshmen include Koen Bowser (5-7, forward), Riley Dennis (5-7, guard), Jack Nelson (5-2, guard) and Jessup Higgins (5-9, forward).
"I couldn't be more excited about the fine group of young men that have made the commitment to this legacy filled basketball school," Bailey said. "We have some experience and a lot of younger kids that will play crucial minutes that we are excited about.
"Our seniors have not reached their ceiling yet development wise and the younger kids are learning at a fast pace, and it is really translating to the floor.
"I am blessed to have one of the finest assistant coaches the valley has to offer in Kelly Sine. I love the energy and dedication to not only the program, but to the school. I am looking forward to seeing all these young men on this team get together and make this season special."
The Wildcats open the season on December 6 at Hundred before returning home to host the Bob Burton Holiday Classic on the 9th and 10th.
SECOND YEAR Hundred boys' coach Nathan Huggins believes he has learned a lot in his short period of time on the bench and is hoping that could lead to positive results for the Hornets.
"This being my second year I believe I have learned lots about game speed, level of competition and dedication," Huggins admitted. "As a coaching staff we adjusted our practices to meet the requirements."
Senior Everett Johnson leads the way for Hundred with classmates Jeffery Morris and Levi Eakin also playing major roles. Seth Michael is the only junior on the roster but will also be looked upon for big things. Sophomores are Josiah Morgan and Brayden Bartrug.
There is a large freshman class in Tyler Sleeth, Colt Sandy, Karter Parson, Toby Michael, Jaxon Huggins and Trey Huggins.
"We are expecting our seniors to lead the charge this year," Huggins said. "Johnson is definitely our leader and is very well balanced with the ability to play a number of different positions. We know we will get a lot of hustle out of our other seniors.
"There is only one junior on the roster, but he will be valuable and sophomores Josiah Morgan and Brayden Bartrug earned great experience getting thrown into the fire last year as starting freshmen. They have both really improved and will be part of our future success.
"Our six freshmen have been together for awhile and already have great chemistry together. These freshmen will be hard to keep out of the starting lineup this season with all of them adding something different to the mix that is needed to be successful.
"When it comes down to it, we have a well-balanced team this year, from top to bottom. We are a team that could have 22 different starting lineups in 22 games. Our biggest problem this year is going to be getting everyone enough playing time, but that isn't a bad problem to have. I feel like we will have different leaders every night with our motto being family and team.
"We are really very excited and can't wait to get going and I am proud to be a part of this."
The Hornets open the year at home against Paden City on Dec. 6.
VETERAN HEAD coach John Kocher has plenty of high expectations for his Valley boys' squad this season with plenty of experience back for 2022.
Leading the way will be a pair of seniors in Patrick Higgenbotham (5-10, guard) and Brigg Anderson (6-3, center). Higgenbotham averaged six points and three assists a night last year while Anderson was good for five points and three rebounds.
The Lumberjacks also welcome back the team leader in points and assists a season ago in sophomore Gavin Derby (5-10, point guard), who finished with a 16.6 scoring average and six assists a game. Junior Dallas Preat (6-1, forward) pulled down seven rebounds a night last year while the starting lineup will be complete with sophomore Landon Jerico (6-0, guard/forward).
The remainder of the Valley roster will consist of seniors Chris Kennedy (6-5, center), who Kocher says will see a lot of action, and Eli Stackpole (6-1, forward), who hasn't played since his freshman year. Junior Ethan Shimp (5-11, guard) will be available along with sophomore Trevor Stackpole, in his first year. The only freshman on the roster will be John Wade (5-5, guard).
"We will be looking to increase our point production this year," Kocher said. "Last year we averaged 50 points a game, but we want to be closer to 70 this year. The kids are trying to get into shape to be able to press and fast break.
"We want to be an up-tempo team with a lot more than 40 shots a game, which is where we were last year.
"The team we had a few years ago was averaging 80-90 shots a game and talent wise I don't think this team is far behind them.
"It has been a long time since we have done it, but the goal is always to head down south. We haven't been there since the 1999 and 2001 seasons, and I would like to get back down there. I really think we have a
"shot, but we are also in a tough sectional and region, so we need to keep getting better each and every day.
"Our schedule is very competitive, and we know every game will be a challenge, but we just want to go out and compete every night. We have to know we can't take anyone lightly and we need to treat every team we play like they are defending state champions."
The Lumberjacks begin a season-opening five game road trip with a game at Parkersburg Catholic on Dec. 6. Valley's first home game will be Dec. 27 against visiting Hundred.
In his 27th season on the Lumberjacks' bench Kocher will be assisted by Jeff Derby.