By Chris Parker
Thomas Jefferson boys basketball has won three consecutive district titles including advancing all the way to the Class 1 state quarterfinals last season.
The Cavaliers will have a different look this season with just 102 of 1,636 points from last season’s team returning.
“This will be a true rebuilding year for us. Success is continuing to get better each week,” Thomas Jefferson head coach Chris Myers said. “We will be very young. Experience is going to hopefully make us better in February than we will be in November.”
Ethan Renger (junior forward) and Kohl Thurman (sophomore center) are the only returning players who saw action in more than eight varsity games last season.
Renger scored 28 total points last season.
“Ethan has come off the bench the past couple of seasons,” Myers said. “With no Seniors on the roster, he will be leaned on to fill a big leadership role.”
Thurman scored 72 total points as a freshman.
“Kohl got some good minutes as a freshman last season,” Myers said. “He had been working hard all summer and fall to get ready for his increased role this year. I’m excited to see his hard work on display this season.”
Newcomers to watch for Thomas Jefferson include Jaxx Wisdom (sophomore guard/forward), Jack Twiss (freshman point guard), Spencer Long (freshman guard/forward), Jackson Radius (freshman forward) and Yousuf Mokhtar (freshman guard/forward).
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Myers on Wisdom: “Jaxx came a long way last year. He works hard, has a great attitude, and will be in the mix for varsity minutes.”
Myers on Twiss: “Jack is our leading candidate to take over the point guard role. He has a good shot and should prove to be one of our offensive leaders.”
Myers on Long: “Spencer is a hard-working kid that will compete for a starting role. Starting or not, he will get varsity minutes.”
Myers on Radius: “Jackson is a max effort kid. He’s a grunt work kind of guy but continues to improve his basketball skills. He too will factor into a bulk of the varsity minutes.”
Myers on Mokhtar: “Yousuf has a good shot, some size for a freshman, and a good understanding of the game. He will compete for a starting role but will play varsity minutes.”
Mokhtar is currently recovering from an injury suffered during the soccer season.
“While we are young, these young kids want to be on the court,” Myers said. “They show up, work hard, and have a huge desire to continue our programs success.”
Thomas Jefferson opens the season on Nov. 21 at Exeter.
