By Chris Parker
Fair Play boys basketball enters the second season with Lucas Vert as head coach with a deep roster ready to take the next step in Vert’s system.
“This being the second year in the same system for this team will show how willing they are to be coached,” Vert said. “Making adjustments and getting better each practice and game is something that we are looking to do. This group has shown willingness to be coached all of last season, and I think that will grow over the course of this season as well.”
Blake Thomas (senior guard), Andrew Mettler (senior forward), Andrew Hartshorn (senior forward), Dakota Ray (senior forward) and Keegan Anderson (senior forward) are the team’s top returning players.
Thomas averaged 8.3 points, 5.3 rebounds 3.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game last season.
“Blake is the point guard and top defender on this team,” Vert said. “He has grown a lot in this last year, and will take on more of a scoring role going into this season. I am very excited about where he is as a player. His nose for the ball on the defensive end, and ability to get the ball where it needs to be on offense will play a huge role in our success this season.”
Mettler scored 18.8 points per game with 7.3 rebounds. 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game as a junior.
“Andrew (Mettler) is the leader of this team,” Vert said. “Both leading vocally and by example. He is who this team looks to when times are tough. He was out eight games with an injury last year, so we are looking for him to have a healthy and productive upcoming year. Andrew is extremely gifted in his ability to score at all three levels, and we will look to him in some big moments.”
Hartshorn has grown greatly from this time last year to now.
“Andrew (Hartshorn) has improved greatly over the course of last season,” Vert said. “His basketball IQ gives him the ability to make plays within our system that he needs to make. I think he will be much more aggressive on both ends of the floor this season and will play a much larger leadership role.”
Roy will see his role expand this season.
“Dakota played significant minutes last year, and has made tremendous progress over the summer,” Vert said. “We are looking for him to step into a larger role on both ends of the floor. His size and footwork around the basket will give a lot of opportunities.”
Anderson has the potential for a breakout season.
“Kegan has a lot of potential to be an offensive weapon for us this season. His skillset and basketball IQ fit in well with our system,” Vert said. “He will continue to play significant minutes, and look to grow his role on this team.”
Other returners include Tanner Mayfield (senior guard), Rowdy Garzee (senior guard), Jacob Dougherty (senior forward), Cooper Alexander (junior forward), Caleb Christian (senior forward) and Jackson Stewart (junior guard).
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Freshmen Alex Frye (forward), Will Frye (forward), Riley Bruce (forward) and Dallas Hardt (guard) along with sophomore forward Mason Harman all have the potential to make an impact on varsity this season.
Vert on Alex Frye: “Alex is an up-and-coming dual threat player. His size and skill allow him to play both in the post area and on the perimeter. Alex has the opportunity to create some competition for varsity minutes this season.”
Vert on Will Frye: “Will is a post player with huge potential. We are looking for him to begin to grow into a role this season.”
Vert on Bruce: “Riley is a hustle player. His motor and willingness to guard, rebound, and dive on the floor is something that this team is going to value. His coachability will also make his growth into a role at the varsity level a lot faster.”
Vert on Hardt: “Dallas is an up-and-coming guard with a lot of potential. His growth in our junior high program was steady, and we will look for that to continue this season.”
Vert on Harman: “Mason made improvements to his game last season, and we will look for him to make another jump this year. His willingness to be coached and work hard will aid him in doing so.”
Fair Play opens the regular season Nov. 27 through Dec. 2 at the Humansville Tournament.
“I want our reputation to be that we play hard all the time,” Vert said. “We preach controlling our attitude and our effort at all times, and I want that to start to show in the way we play. We saw spurts of it last year, but I want it to be an all the time thing this year.”
