By Chris Parker
Bryce Turnbough takes over as head coach of the Hurley boys basketball program this year. He was an assistant coach at Dadeville last season.
Turnbough is familiar with the Hurley community from his time as a high school basketball player.
“I played against Hurley throughout high school and they always had a great community and a great basketball program,” Turnbough said.
He will be looking to turn around a program that hasn’t won double-digit games since 2018-19. Last year, the Tigers finished 3-18 overall.
A pair of senior guards in Avery Myers and Terry Lowery will lead the Tigers in Turnbough’s first season.
“Avery is our hardest working player and is always in the gym or weight room working on his game. He leads by example,” Turnbough said. “Terry has a lot of varsity experience and has had to adapt his game. He understands the situation very well and will be a floor general for us.”
Senior Hayden Grubbs and junior Aidyn Whaley also return to the varsity lineup. Both are forwards.
“Hayden brings some size to the floor and has improved his jump shot. He should add some shooting to the team,” Turnbough said. “Aidyn is a long athletic player whose game has improved over the summer. He should bring some scoring and be able to get in some passing lanes this year.”
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Junior Jordan Yoho, sophomore Shawn Whitlatch and freshman Caysen Youngblood will be new players to watch on the varsity level.
Turnbough on Yoho: “Jordan is a tall athletic player who will make an immediate impact on the team. He is a versatile player who could play anywhere.”
Turnbough on Whitlatch: “Shawn is a very athletic and quick player. He should make an impact on both sides of the ball for us.”
Turnbough on Youngblood: “Caysen is a gifted scorer who should bring some shooting to the team.”
Hurley will have good length on the floor this year, but must improve ball-handling to have success.
“Our team’s greatest strength this year is going to be our length. We are going to have the ability to tip a lot of passes and hopefully produce some turnovers,” Turnbough said. “We will have to improve on our ball handling and chemistry this year to find success.”
Hurley will travel to Galena for a jamboree on Nov. 15 with Ash Grove, Pleasant Hope and Galena. The Tigers open the regular season Nov. 20-24 at the Verona Tournament.
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“Our overall identity will be that we are a hardworking team that will show up every game ready to outwork the opponent,” Turnbough said.
