By Chris Parker
Hurley boys basketball will have big scoring shoes to fill this year with the graduation of Wyatt Pope and his 28.4 points per game.
“Wyatt could definitely score. I’m looking for several players to step up and fill that void together. I believe that approach will make us tougher to guard,” Hurley head coach Ryan Yates said.
Jaden Hicks and Noah Chrystal were both valuable contributors as sophomores. Hicks averaged 10 points per game while Chrystal added in 7.2 points per game.
“I expect them (Hicks & Chrystal) to come out of their shells and produce on both ends of the court. In my experience, players step up when needed. I believe that they will do what is required for us to be successful. They are putting in the time and effort to become better players. They both must be good defenders and double digit scorers for us this season,” Yates said.
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Senior Kobe Mitchell returns to the post for Hurley. Sophomore Hayden Grubbs will bring good shooting. Classmate Terry Lowery returns after starting as a freshman. Freshmen Gavyn Cable and Aidyn Whaley both will see immediate playing time as freshmen.
“Our strengths should be speed, spread out scoring, and defense,” Yates said. “We are going to have to guard better and have more guys contribute offensively to be successful.”
Hurley will be young with just one senior, so Yates will look for him to improve throughout the season.
“My overall expectations are to improve as the season progresses and to be a very tough out come districts. I want to see growth. We only lost a couple from last year’s team and are only graduating one this year,” Yates said.
Hurley opens the season on Nov. 26 at home against Fordland.
