By Chris Parker
Tanner White takes over as head coach of the Richland boys basketball team this season. He inherits a program coming off a four-win campaign.
His arrival will bring new energy and philosophies.
“Our biggest strength this year will be the fact that we will have a new system and a new coach with a new philosophy,” White said. “I don’t really know what took place last year, but there will be a new wave of energy surrounding the boys basketball program this year. The kids this summer came in and worked their tails off for two months.”
Kade Belshe (senior point guard), Karson York (junior point guard), Bryce Pemberton (junior forward), Ethan Butteris (sophomore forward), Brayden York (sophomore guard), Aden Pallai (sophomore guard) and Dylan Green (senior guard/forward) will be the team’s key players.
White on Belshe: “We will look for Kade to do a lot for us this year. He is really the only returner that got significant minutes last year. I look for Kade to be a leader and to be the one that helps turn this program around. He is quick and athletic and can make big plays for us.”
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White on Karson York: “Karson has been in the gym a lot this summer working on his shot. He can be a kid that can have a big night if he makes a couple from outside. He is a streaky shooter and will definitely help us with his shooting ability.”
White on Pemberton: “Bryce is a big body who loves to be down low. He is a kid that loves contact and will play through contact.
White on Butteris: “Ethan is the same as Bryce, he is a big body who loves contact. Having both of these guys helps us because it allows us to do some different things down low and to set screens and be able to constantly put pressure on the defense.”
White on Brayden York: “Brayden didn’t get a whole lot of minutes last year, but he is one that with a little growth and skill development can have a huge impact this year. He can shoot it and do some really good things.”
White on Pallai: “Aden is just like Brayden. We will ask a lot of these two and they will have to adapt and overcome some adversity early on, but I would like for these two to build and help us by January.”
White on Green: “I don’t really know what to expect from Dylan. I definitely think he can help us out, but he is coming off of an ACL injury, so I don’t really know how he is going to be in the first couple of months. If he is healthy and is able to stay healthy, I believe Dylan will be a big contributor to our success.”
Clayton Laughlin will be the lone freshman who could contribute on varsity this season.
“Clayton will be my only freshman this year. He will get some minutes at the varsity level,” White said. “He is quick and can play all night long without getting tired. He will be a big spark for us on the defensive end this year. He is a kid that will be able to come in and guard the full court.”
Richland opens the regular season on Nov. 17 at Vienna.
“I want to see the growth in our young guys,” White said. “We have a lot of guys who don’t have a lot of experience and that will have to play a lot of minutes for us. Early on, I expect them to make young mistakes, but I want to see us grow and not make the same mistakes twice.”
