By Chris Parker
Matt Moulder enters his third season as head coach of the Hermitage boys basketball program with three starters returning from last season’s 18-11 team.
Seniors Justus Yates and Bennett Mantooth return for their fourth years as starters while junior Cash Turner enters his third season as a starter.
Yates averaged 13 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Turner scored 13.1 points per game with 5.6 rebounds per game. He was also the team leader in assists.
Senior forward Gabe Montejo and junior guard Jaxon Wheeler also return after lettering last season.
Junior guard Logun Whittle is a transfer who should make an impact. Freshmen Ashton Sawyer and Justin Weathers will look to make immediate varsity impacts.
Many of the same athletes who have won three consecutive team state cross country titles will be key pieces of the basketball team.
“As three-time defending state champions in cross country and also champions last spring in track, our biggest strength is obviously team speed,” Moulder said. “We want to use our speed to play fast and aggressively, and are hoping to be able to use our depth to press a bit more this year and really get after people.”
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF THE WINTER PREVIEWS
While the Hornets are fast and possess endurance, they also lack size.
“In many ways our biggest strength can also be a challenge for us,” Moulder said. “I always joke that we have a state champion cross country team playing basketball. This can certainly be an asset with team speed and endurance, however playing teams that are big, strong and physical can sometimes be a challenge for us. We have to continue working hard at gaining strength, along with the physical and mental toughness necessary to compete consistently at a high level.”
Hermitage opens the season on Nov. 17 at Miami (Amoret).
“Every year is different, but the constant in our program is that we want to continue to get a little better every day and focus our energies on what we can control: our effort and our attitude,” Moulder said. “There will be highs and lows, as there are every year, but we want our kids to have fun, be great teammates, and love the process of competing to win every day. If we can string together a bunch of those daily wins, in the end we will have a successful basketball season.”
