By Chris Parker
Stoutland boys basketball finished 15-14 overall last season. Two starters and five lettermen return this season.
The five returning lettermen are Justin Crabtree, Will Morrow, Aaron Franklin, Isaac Hill and Michael Kincaid.
Crabtree, who was a starter, averaged 10.5 points per game last season.
“Justin has been a key part of our varsity team since his freshman year,” head coach Joe Nicholson said. “He works hard all the time and even though he is 5-foot-8, he plays like a big guy. He has worked hard to get where he is and will be our floor leader. He is our only senior this year.”
Morrow is the second returning starter. He averaged 14.8 points per game.
“Will is coming off of another great season,” Nicholson said. “His freshman year he was our sixth man. Last year, he was a key starter. Will is a great scorer inside and out. His defense has improved immensely, and I expect him to be one of the top players in the conference.”
Franklin saw action in 11 of 28 varsity games last season.
“Aaron is the one guy that every coach wants on their team,” Nicholson said. “On defense, he is annoying, he always brings major energy. He is quick and tough on defense and on the offensive end he drives the basket well.”
Hill played 110 total minutes across 16 games last season.
“Isaac has worked very hard over the summer and has improved his game greatly,” Nicholson said. “Isaac is a solid defensive player and a legitimate scorer on the offensive end. Like all of our top guys he works very hard and does not take a play off.”
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Kincaid played in 21 games in 2022-23.
“Michael is leaving the sixth man role he had last year and stepping into the point guard role,” Nicholson said. “Michael will be the guy that gets the ball up the court for us and will also be the guy that makes our offense run. He is a very quick ball handler and works hard. I expect Michael to have a breakout year.”
Junior Landon Martin is a move-in who will compete for varsity time. Freshmen Jesse Dickinson, Riley Bench, Brodie Millsap and Austin Pribble will all compete for varsity minutes.
Stoutland opens the season on Nov. 18 at Vienna.
“I think this will be the best season at Stoutland in the four years that I have been here,” Nicholson said. “This team has a great work ethic, and we have some depth. I feel like all of our players really want it this year and I think all of that will translate into positive things for the Stoutland Tigers. I think the conference is wide open.”
