By Chris Parker
New Covenant boys basketball returns three players who averaged in double figures for last season’s eight-win team.
“I believe a strength this season is the experience our three returners we bring back,” New Covenant hed coach Ryan Worley said. “Isaiah (Tessmer), Nate (Martin) and Hudson (Grell) are great leaders that will help our young players come along quickly. They model daily what it takes to prepare, practice and compete at the varsity level. This group of guys has a good understanding of how we would like to play on both ends of the floor.”
Tessmer is a 6’4 forward who averaged 11 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in 12 contests last season.
“He (Tessmer) was playing some of his best basketball before suffering a shoulder injury that cut his season short,” Worley said. “Isaiah has a motor that doesn’t stop while on the court. He has worked very hard to become one of our most consistent shooters from deep and continues to be a strong finisher around the basket.”
Martin earned second-team all-conference honors after he put up 12 points, 5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
“Nate has been a two-year starter for us and has developed into a very strong scorer and defensive stopper for us,” Worley said. “He has turned himself into a three-level scorer with all of his hard-work in the off-season. He takes a lot of pride on the defensive end which is contagious for the rest of our team.”
Grell is a 6’3 forward who averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds.
“Hudson stepped into a starting role for us last season,” Worley said. “With his new role came leaps in his confidence and skills. His athleticism and motor are hard to match on our schedule. He is a versatile defender that can defend the small guards and the opponent’s big men. Watching his understanding of the game continue to grow and improve each season has been a joy as a coach.”
Brixton Watson (freshman), Aiden Doing (sophomore), Brade Keener (sophomore), Max Rhoads (sophomore), Kade Frost (freshman), Eli Polan (freshman), Isaac Holden (sophomore), Zach Buchanan (freshman) and Jacob Sowder (freshman) are all in the mix to contribute on varsity.
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Worley on Watson: “Brixton is a strong finisher at the basket and has an uncanny nose for the ball. He has a strong, athletic frame that he uses well for finishing at the basket as well as to defend and rebound for us with. We will need him to adjust to the Varsity level quickly for us to be able to compete this season. Brixton is a competitor, so the coaches have all the confidence that he is ready for this challenge.”
Worley on Doing: “Aiden has good freshman season developing for us on the JV level. He was able to use that opportunity to continue developing his ability to post and finish in the paint while developing the toughness that it requires to mix it up in the post on defense. As he develops his role and becomes more comfortable on the varsity level then we will see his minutes continue to grow as the season moves forward.”
Worley Keener: “Braden is a great teammate that shows up each day and competes hard. He will have the opportunity to bring some additional athleticism for us with his minutes.”
Worley on Rhoads: “Max took last year off from playing but has been a part of our program in previous seasons. He brings strength and athleticism to our team and how quickly he adjust to playing again should help in providing us some depth.”
Worley on Frost: “Kaden will have the opportunity to compete for minutes for us at the guard position. He is capable of playing PG for us or off the ball. He will provide us with an additional ball-handler that has the ability to create shots for others as well as being a consistent scorer himself.”
Worley on Polan: “Eli is a great shooter from deep. He can stretch a team’s defense with his range. As he continues to get stronger and develops his defense then he will compete for minutes.”
Worley on Holden: “Isaac brings a lot of energy to the floor and will have the opportunity to compete for minutes.”
Worley on Buchann and Sowder: “Both players have a good basketball IQ along with an understanding of we would like to play. They will have the opportunity to compete for a role with this group as well as for minutes.”
New Covenant opens the regular season on Nov. 17 at home against Spokane.
“I’d like to see our group come together in a way that will make this season a rewarding experience,” Worley said. “That no matter what adversity or challenges we may have faced, we were able to learn from them, grow and continue to enjoy “showing up” each day for practices and/or games.”
