By Chris Parker
Licking boys basketball is coming off a 20-win season with two starters returning this season.
Seniors Roston Stockard and Carter Sullins return with two years of varsity experience each.
Stockard is a strong scorer.
“Roston brings back offensive punch,” Licking head coach Phillip Gambill said. “He was selected to the all-conference team last season as a junior. Roston can shoot and score off the dribble. He improved his defensive game throughout last season.”
Sullins runs the offense.
“Carter is the key to our offense,” Gambill said. “He is a player who likes to drive and dish to open shooters. He handles the ball well and understands his role. Carter is also strong on the defensive end of the ball as well. He is quick and understands the game.”
Fellow seniors Kannon Buckner and Jordan Ritz also return.
Buckner keys the defense and will look to be more of an offensive threat this season.
“Kannon is our defensive motor,” Gambill said. “He does a great job on the defensive end of the floor. He shoots and scores the ball well. Last season, he was looked upon as more of a defensive key but will be looked upon to score this season as well.”
Ritz will look to build off a strong finish to last season.
“Jordan came on strong at the end of last season,” Gambill said. “Jordan is a big with soft touch around the basket. He rebounds and reads the ball well. We are looking for Jordan to be a big piece to our rotation this season.”
Nate Gambill (junior), Karson Walker (junior), Benton Corley (junior), Kale Cook (senior) and Lake Wade (senior) will be newcomers to watch.
Coach Gambill on Nate Gambill: “Nate is a great shooter and has improved scoring off the dribble. He was a JV starter last season. He rebounds well and has improved his game on the defensive end. Nate understands the game well. We are looking for Nate to contribute solid minutes this season.”
Coach Gambill on Walker: “Karson is a scrappy, high-energy player. He guards and handles the ball well. Karson is a solid shooter and can score off the dribble. Karson will be looked upon to give us solid minutes this season.”
Coach Gambill on Corley: “Benton is a good athlete who started on the JV team last season. Benton can shoot it and score off the dribble. He is also a solid rebounder who we will look to give us solid minutes as well.”
Coach Gambill on Cook: “Kale is a strong post player who rebounds the ball very well. Kale started on the JV team last season. Kale has a soft touch around the basket and knows how to use his body around the basket.”
Coach Gambill on Wade: “Lake is a solid, strong post player who understands the game well. Lake shoots the ball well and rebounds the ball well. He is coming off knee surgery but will be looked upon for some solid minutes this season.”
Coach Gambill expects to see a more versatile team on offense and an improved team on defense this season.
“We will be able to score in more ways than we did last season, and I feel we can be defensively better as well,” Coach Gambill said. “One key factor I feel is that we will rebound the ball better than we have in previous seasons. We will be a much bigger team, which will allow us to be flexible each night.”
Much of Licking’s success will be based on play in the post.
“Our biggest strength will be our post play,” Coach Gambill said. “We haven’t really put an emphasis on post play the last few seasons, but post play will play a big part in our success this season. Our guard play will be solid again.”
Licking opens the regular season on Nov. 26 at Salem.
“We are excited about the upcoming season,” Coach Gambill said. “We have strengthened our schedule which we feel will help us come playoff time. We are going to have a deep bench, with many different looks and options to use. We have a group of players who love to play together.”
