By Chris Parker
Seymour boys’ basketball will have a new look this year with just one varsity player returning.
“It’s hard any time you lose eight seniors from the previous year. It’ll take some time to find out identity, but we have a good core group that is willing to put in the work,” Head Coach Chris Hastings said. “We have the talent, just lack the experience. It may take some time but we hope we are playing our best basketball come February.”
Senior Evan Crump is that lone returning player. Last year, Crump averaged 6.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game as a junior.
“He (Crump) had some big games for us down the stretch last year,” Hastings said. “I expect that to carry over into this season.”
Fellow senior Brock Pearce returns to the court this year and will be a leader with Crump.
“(He) was not able to play last year due to injury. Brock is a big body that has the ability to affect the game on both ends of the floor. We expect him to have a big senior year,” Hastings said.
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Junior guard Payton Bryant has shown good off-season improvement.
“I expect him (Bryant) to have a breakout season. He’s a scoring point guard with deep range. Also sees the floor well. He can influence the game in many different ways,” Hastings said.
Eli Nunnaly, Bill Dailey, Bryson Benson and Nathaniel Hosiner all will be new players to watch this year.
Nunnaly stretches the floor well with his shooting. Dailey is a very competitive player. Benson is a big body who will look to influence the game down low. Hosiner is a hardworking, physical guard.
“We always have high expectations. Our main goals are to come in and practice hard every day and the rest will take care of itself. Our kids are excited to take on the challenge,” Hastings said.
Seymour opens the season on Nov. 20 at Chadwick.
