HAGERSTOWN, Ind. – Hagerstown Head Boys Basketball Coach Bobby Jones is now in his eighth year with the Tigers and heading into this season, he has a question he needs answered.
“We are excited about this year’s team,” Jones said.
And the question?
“We are going to have to find some consistency in scoring,” Jones said. “It will be interesting to see who steps up into that role with the loss of Thorin Stage from last season.”
Stage was the Player of the Year in the Tri-Eastern Conference after averaging 21.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game during his senior year.
“I see this year’s teams as being very balanced on both ends of the floor,” Jones said. “We are going to have to do everything by committee and really buy into the defensive end of the floor. So far, I like what I’ve seen in practice and our scrimmage with Shenandoah.”
All-TEC choice junior Jared Andis is the top scorer back as he tossed in 11.6 points per game last season.
Jordan Auker, Nate Combs, Mason Stitt and Bret Templin are the seniors on the roster.
In addition to Andis, the other juniors are Evan Hoover and Isaiah Neal. Jalen Oliver, Drew Pyle and Trent Weiss are the sophomores, while the freshman are Dylan Napier and Caleb Neal.
With a lot of younger players expected to see some varsity action, Jones has a plan.
“Getting acclimated quickly to the pace and intensity of a varsity game will be crucial for a few of our players who are on varsity for the first time,” he said. “The ceiling for improvement is high for this group and they should be fun to watch this season.”
“We will look to Andis, Templin, Isaiah Neal and Combs to score more this season,” he added. “I am very excited about our three sophomores Weiss, Oliver and Pyle who have spent a lot of time in the off season getting stronger.
Hagerstown begins the season with a trip to Randolph Southern on Tuesday, No. 24. The Tigers start TEC play at home with Lincoln on Dec. 4.
“As always the TEC will be tough and competitive,” Jones said. “There are several teams that could contend for the TEC title this season.”