By Chris Parker
Blue Eye boys basketball won 21 games and a district title behind a senior group that featured three all-conference players.
“Last year’s senior group was a special group,” Blue Eye head coach Trae Patton said. “They truly loved playing together and were always happy for each other’s success. I believe their biggest legacy was their team-first attitude, and work ethic. They set the foundation doing whatever it takes to be successful.”
Brady Isbell is the lone returning starter entering his senior season. He was a second-team all-conference selection as a junior.
“Brady’s role on our team has expanded every year since his freshman year. He has always been a good leader, and his teammates look up to him. This year his role is expanding especially on the offensive side of the floor. He has put in a lot of work during the offseason to expand his offensive game,” Patton said. “Brady is a special player. He is a very smart basketball player and can play a lot of different positions on the floor. He has good vision like a point guard, but is also strong and can post up if we need him to. Last year he also took 17 charges on defense.”
Sophomore guard Braxton Bell also returns.
“(He is) a good shooter who can help stretch the floor,” Patton said. “He had some big games for us last year and we are looking forward to him expanding his role this year. He is a hard worker and has put in time this offseason to improve his skills on both sides of the floor.”
A host of newcomers will compete to fill out the varsity minutes. That group includes Riley Snowden (junior), Isaac Harper (junior), Beau Brown (junior), Brayden Bettlach (junior), Joey Feagans (sophomore), Baily LeStage (sophomore), Broan Hartsell (sophomore), Kole Turner (freshman), Josh Rowe (freshman), Caden Snowden (freshman) and Kalei Thamm (freshman).
Patton on Riley Snowden: “A good shooter who can help stretch the floor. Riley worked hard this offseason to improve his skills on both sides of the floor. He will compete for playing time at the guard position.”
Patton on Harper: “An athletic forward and strong defender that will compete for playing time at the post position. He has worked hard this off season to improve his skills.”
Patton on Brown: “A good shooter who can help stretch the floor. He worked hard this offseason to improve his skills on both sides of the floor. He will compete for playing time at the guard position.”
Patton on Bettlach: “A strong post player who has worked hard this off season to improve his skills. He will compete for playing time at the post position.”
Patton on Feagans: “A smart player who leads by example and has put in work this offseason to improve his skills. He will compete for playing time at the guard position.”
Patton on LeStage: “A strong post player that will compete for playing time at the post position.”
Patton on Hartsell: “A good shooter who can help stretch the floor. He will compete for playing time at the guard position.”
Patton on Turner: “A good athlete and shooter who plays with a lot of energy on both sides of the floor. He will compete for playing time at the guard position.”
Patton on Rowe: “He will compete for playing time at the guard position.”
Patton on Caden Snowden: “Good shooter who will compete for playing time at the post position.”
Patton on Thamm: “He will compete for playing time at the guard position.”
While much of the team will be new to the varsity floor, the players have plenty of experience playing together.
“I think our biggest strength this year will be how close this year’s team is,” Patton said. “They have been playing with each other since they were in grade school and genuinely enjoy playing together and push our Team First agenda.”
Blue Eye opens the regular season Nov. 23-27 at the Verona Tip-Off Classic.
“We have a young team, so being able to compete night in and night out on both sides of the floor, communication, being physical, as well as coming together as a team will be some points of emphasis,” Patton said.
