By Chris Parker
Stoutland boys basketball will look for more consistency coming off a 13-15 season.
“Last year’s season was a tale of two cities,” Stoutland head coach Joe Nicholson said. “There were times we looked unstoppable and at other times we looked dismal. We started off ok but by midseason we looked lost. By the time we got to districts, we looked like a team that could do some damage. I think we lacked game experience last year and at times that hurt us.”
Will Morrow (senior forward), Michael Kincaid (junior point guard), Aaron Franklin (senior guard) and Isaac Hill (senior guard) return as full-time starters.
Nicholson on Morrow: “He has improved his game at all levels. He is next to impossible to stop on the offensive end and has turned into a team leader. He will single-handedly take us to a few victories.”
Nicholson on Kincaid: “The best point guard in the conference. Michael is a 40-percent shooter from the 3 and is our top defensive player.”
Nicholson on Franklin: “Outstanding on defense. Works harder than any player we have. Great at taking the ball to the rim and has no quit in him.”
Nicholson on Hill: “Almost a clone of Franklin. They are very similar players that always give their all.”
Morrow averaged 19.5 points per game last season. He also led the team with 237 total rebounds and 113 assists. Kincaid was at 12.8 points per game.
Landon Martin (senior forward), Jesse Dickinson (sophomore forward), Austin Pribble (sophomore guard), Brodie Millsap (sophomore forward), Riley Bench (sophomore guard) and Devin Barnewell (senior guard) also return.
Nicholson on Martin: “Landon was our sixth man last year. He brought great energy into the game off the bench. He is excellent in transition and is a great shooter from anywhere on the court.”
Nicholson on Dickinson: “Jesse is a great inside player and will contribute big this year at the varsity level. Attacks the basket very well.”
Nicholson on Pribble: “Austin is a solid point guard that can shoot the three.”
Nicholson on Millsap: “Brodie is hard-nosed player that is kind of a trash man. He will get rebounds and put them back in at a rapid pace. Brings great energy off the bench.”
Nicholson on Bench: “Riley is a good three-point shooter and an excellent defensive player. Will give us some solid varsity minutes.”
Nicholson on Barnewell: “Devin is a solid point guard that gives us another solid point guard option on the bench along with Kincaid and Pribble.”
Martin tied for second on the team at 12.8 points per game last season. He was second in total rebounds with 172.
Stoutland opens the season on Nov. 25 at Macks Creek.
“We have everything in place to have a great season. I think we are going to surprise people this year,” Nicholson said.
