By Chris Parker
Richland boys basketball posted a 23-4 record last year ending the season with a loss to Iberia in the district championship game.
The Bears return a lot from that team, but did graduate four seniors including all-state selection Ethan Fagre. Fagre led the team in scoring and rebounding with 26 points and 9 rebounds per game. He finished his career as the school’s all-time leading scorer.
“We are really excited about the upcoming season,” head coach Matt Moulder said. “Although we graduated a fine group of seniors, we return a talented core of experienced, long, and athletic players who should be fun to watch.”
Leading those returning players are 6’6 senior Kaden Kardosz and 6’4 junior Veston Fearon.
“Kaden Kardosz is a very versatile performer and a three-year starter with a wealth of experience,” Moulder said. “Veston Fearon burst onto the scene last year as a sophomore, and has put in a lot of work to continue to add strength and improve his skill set.”
Kardosz earned all-conference honors after he averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds per game.
“This year is going to be fun to watch. We are going to be long and athletic, and plan to use our defense to create offense. We have grown closer as a team. I am very excited to see how it goes,” Kardosz said.
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Fearon earned all-conference and all-district honors on the strength of his 14 points and 5 rebounds per game.
“I am excited to be able to play another season with such amazing teammates,” Fearon said. “We are building great relationships, and pushing each other to get better every day. We are a very athletic team and really diverse. We have a lot of size, and hope to be dominant on the defensive end. I see a bright future for our team, and can’t wait to get it going.”
Noah Johnson (6’3 junior), Daveton Fearon (6’6 junior) and Trevor Black (6’1 guard) round out the returning lettermen. Fearon led that group in scoring (7 ppg) and rebounding (5 rpg). Johnson (4 ppg and 3 rpg) and Black (2 ppg and 2 rpg) were just behind him in both categories.
“Noah Johnson and Daveton Fearon both started a lot of games last season and are eager for expanded roles,” Moulder said. “Trevor Black also saw considerable varsity action and should transition into the starting lineup this year as well.”
Newcomers to watch for Richland include: Dylan Heberling (6’3 senior), Hunter Reed (5’8 junior), Davin Williams (6’0 senior), Chase Otto (6’0 sophomore) and Mason Michels (6’0 sophomore).
“Senior Dylan Heberling transferred to Richland this year, and should be a significant addition. He has good size (6’3”, 180 pounds) and athleticism, and should fit in well with the Bears and their attacking style of play,” Moulder said. “Junior Hunter Reed returns after not playing last year, while sophomores Davin Williams, Chase Otto, and Mason Michels will also be vying for varsity roles.”
Aggressiveness and versatility will be hallmarks of the Richland Boys Basketball team this year.
“The Bears will be an aggressive team at both ends of the floor, who will tweak their schemes again this year to take advantage of their players’ strengths,” Moulder said. “We plan to be a primarily positionless team on offense with almost all of our players being capable of playing inside and out. Our length and athleticism should also allow us to play multiple defenses that will hopefully create transition opportunities and the pace of play we want.”
Richland opens the season on Nov. 20 at home against Vienna.
“As always, we try to focus on getting better every day and enjoying the process of coming together as a team,” Moulder said. “Every year we want to compete for championships, and this season if we are fortunate enough to stay healthy and continue to progress, we hope to be in the mix again.”
