By Chris Parker
Humansville boys basketball won 23 games last year. The Tigers were able to accomplish despite only playing six player most nights. While some key players graduated, this year’s version of the Tigers will be able to go much deeper than 6.
“Our biggest strength is that we will have depth this year,” Humansville head coach Fred Lundien said. “Last year I only rotated six players. This year I plan on rotating eight or more players. This will help us be better defensively. We will be fresher and faster on the court.”
Six total players return with three of them bringing back significant varsity experience.
That trio includes Kade White, Gage Kenney and Ty Ahlers.
White was a second team all-conference selection as a junior. He averaged 14 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
“Kade White is a senior this year and was my second leading scorer,” Lundien said. “He handles the point guard duties for our team. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and is a competitor.”
Kenney is the team’s second-leading scorer. He averaged 8.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1 block per game.
“Gage Kenney is a senior that will help us down low on the post,” Lundien said. “He is lanky and fast. He was one of our main rebounders and shot blockers last season. I am ready for him to step his game up to the next level.”
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Ty Ahlers scored 3.1 points per game with 1.5 assists and 2.8 rebounds.
“Ty Ahlers is another player that will help us,” Lundien said. “He is classified as a guard but plays multiple positions. He is a junior this year. He is a very good help-side defender. He likes to do the dirty work. He also has a great attitude. He should be one of our X-factors this season.”
Blake Gwin, Waylon Proctor and Kylan Vorwark return after seeing some varsity action last season.
“Blake Gwin and Waylon Proctor will be seniors this year and Kylan Vorwark will be a junior,” Lundien said. “They played limited minutes last year but have shown great improvement over the summer. I am anxious to see what they can bring to the table this year. I expect them to play a lot of minutes this season.”
Behind those six will be a large class of eight freshmen who push for varsity time.
“We will have eight freshmen coming up the ranks this season,” Lundien said. “D.J. Medley, Joseph Gordon, Russell Lee and Treven Henson should compete for some varsity minutes this season. D.J. is a guard but plays anywhere you need him and has a nose for the ball. He is very good at getting steals and rebounds. Joseph is another quick guard who is very fast and has decent ball skills. Russell is another good defensive player for us that is good at reading passes and is strong going to the rim. Treven Henson will provide us with some size down low. He is very strong and tough on the boards.”
Humansville opens the regular season on Nov. 17 at home against School of the Ozarks.
“We want to play fast for the full 36 minutes. We want to wear teams down if we can,” Lundien said. “I expect us to compete well in our conference this season. I believe we can build off last year’s success.”
