Conference: 7A Central
Coach: Mike Abrahamson, second year
Assistant coach: Steve Wilson
Last year’s record: 7-20, 3-11 in conference
Returning starters: The Hornets have four returning starters. Senior Brady Cozart (5-10 guard) averaged 12.5 points per game last year, increasing to 15 per game during conference season, Abrahamson said. “It’s a tough player; he played one game with a cracked rib and scored 19 points.” The coach said Cozart has matured since last season and expects him to have a good season. Senior Jordon Griffin (5-10 guard) is also returning. He was the team’s leading scorer, averaging 13 points per game. Coach Abrahamson called him solid as a rock. “He takes on a lot of responsibility, both scoring and handling the ball,” the coach said.
Quinten Motto (6-7 center) is a senior who Abrahamson said has really improved during his summer work and continues to improve through practice. The coach said Motto plays with better control. “Sometimes, when you are 6-7 in high school, it is hard to be in control of yourself, but he is getting better,” the coach said. Also returning is junior Marcus Wilson (5-7 guard), the best leader. Abrahamson said Wilson “might be the best I’ve ever coached because he makes the entire team better. He is a good 3-point shooter and a good defender that adds to the game.”
Best inside players: Motto and junior Zach Canbron (6-2 forward) will be really good close to the hoop, the coach said. Leon Neale (6-3 forward), a junior, is good for both the inside and perimeter game. “He is good at attacking the basket and a very good athlete,” Abrahamson said. “Our hopes are high about what he can give to the team.”
Best outside players: Besides Neale, playing the outside will be Anthony Black (5-6 point guard), a sophomore who the coach said is “really good with a ball in hand and a strong competitor. Also on the perimeter will be senior Logan Trudell (6-1 guard) who is a good shooter from the outside.
How will this team match up to last year’s? “Going into the first year, we had no varsity experience, and we were small,” the coach said. “It is a little better this year with even some depth in the experienced players.” Abrahamson said if the team works hard every play, the Panthers will be in a position to improve their play with a better defense and a more exciting style of play. “I’m excited; this team has good players, and they are good kids who work hard,” he said.
Strengths: The strength of this team is in the play of Cozart and Griffin, the coach said. “They have been asked to do a lot this year, but we are in the right position. Now we need others to step up for us to do more scoring.”
Weaknesses: “We turned the ball over a lot last year,” the coach said. “We placed a lot of emphasis on that this summer and during practice. It is an area of concern for us.” If the team continues to turn the ball over, they will not win, he said. The team also shot only 35 percent from the field last year, and that will also have to get better, Abrahamson said.
Game to watch: “We play Benton twice. That is always the big rivalry for the fans,” the coach said. “In the conference, everyone is good.”