tbgfan 856 Report Share Posted December 14, 2010 In today's Bristol Herald Courier Published: December 14, 2010 BOYS Southwest District Preseason Poll 1. Abingdon 2. Graham 3. Grundy 4. Richlands 5. Marion 6. Carroll County 7. Tazewell Abingdon District, Region: Southwest, Region IV Group, Division: Group AA, Division 4 Coach: B.J. Lasley Last season: 17-8, 9-3 Key returners: Zach Viers, G, sr.; Jacob Hess, G, sr. (14.5 ppg); Ben Coleman, F, sr.; Alex Looney, C, sr. (11.7 ppg) Promising newcomers: Josh Hess, fr. Key losses: Nathan Hess (11.0 ppg), Randall Carter. Outlook: Abingdon advanced to the SWD tournament finals last season before falling 60-44 to Graham. The Falcons then dropped a 61-53 decision to Bassett in the regional playoffs. Four starters return from that team. Senior Stephen Steele will see time at point guard. Jacob Hess earned first-team all-district honors last season, while Nathan Hess was second team. Abingdon opened SWD play this season with a 70-58 win over Carroll County. Looney (18 points) was among four AHS players to reach double figure. The junior varsity team from AHS won the SWD regular-season title last year, but lost to Grundy for the tournament title. Coach’s quote: “I have been pleased with our willingness to compete on a daily basis. As long as we continue to dedicate to a defending every possession, we will have the potential to compete.†– B.J. Lasley ******************************************* Carroll County District, Region: Southwest, Region IV Group, Division: Group AA, Division 4 Coach: Brad Hawks Last season: 2-18, 1-9 Key returners: Mac Martin, F, sr.; Ryan Gravely, PG, soph.; Austin Horton, F, soph.; Kody Alley, G, soph. Promising newcomers: Connor Lundy, G, fr.; Wes Smoot, F, jr. Key losses: Adam Crotts (12.3 ppg), Tyler Reavis Outlook: With Gravely setting a torrid pace at point guard, the Cavaliers won their first two games this season. The Cavaliers were forced to start three freshmen last season, but that experience appears to have paid dividends. Smoot is an athletic transfer from Ohio. Coach’s quote: “I believe in hard work and hustle. Our team will play pressure defense and look to push the ball in transition. With a youthful team, mistakes are expected. But our kids should be fun to watch.†– Brad Hawks. ******************************************** Graham District, Region: Southwest, Region IV Group, Division: Group AA, Division 3 Coach: Glynn Carlock, Jr. (7th year) Last season: 16-5, 8-2 Key returners: Jordan Bryan, F, sr. Promising newcomers: Christian Allen, sr.; Trey McDaniel, sr.; Euneke Diaz, jr. Key losses: Scott Brewster (15.1 ppg.); David Marrs Outlook: The G-Men must replace 10 seniors, most of whom played at the varsity level for three years. Bryan, who is closing in on 1,000 points, is one of the top players in the region. He averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds per game last season. Hustle is a strong point, but size is a concern. Brewster and Bryan were both first-team All SWD picks last season. Senior Alex Harclerode is the point guard, while senior Aaron Davidson has some varsity experience at the other guard spot. Diaz scored 20 points in a 77-66 loss to Grayson County to open the season. Coach’s quote: “We will build around Jordan Bryan. There are many new faces that must step up their game to give Bryan and our team help on both ends of the floor. It is crucial that we rebound well and limited second chance baskets due to our lack of size.†- Glynn Carlock, Jr. **************************************** Grundy District, Region: Southwest, Region IV Group, Division: Group AA, Division 3 Coach: Bill Christian Last season: 15-12, 4-6 Key returners: Cody Justus, sr.; Ben Rife, jr.; Logan Boyd, sr.; Travis Lester, jr. Promising newcomers: Dillon Q’Quinn Key losses: Derek Hess (13 ppg) Outlook: The Golden Wave must overcome the loss of John Kelly, who suffered a serious knee injury during football season. Kelly averaged 14.4 ppg last season. Justus is a four-year starter, while Rife has started for three years. Boyd returns at point guard. Lester was the backup to Kelly last season. Hess and Kelly were both named second-team all-district last season. Grundy, which won the SWD junior varsity title last season, opened this season with a 53-47 loss to Graham. Rife scored 15 points. Coach’s quote: N/A ****************************************** Marion District, Region: Southwest, Region IV Group, Division: Group AA, Division 3 Coach: Chad Bailey Last season: 9-14, 6-6 Key returners: Marshall Wagner, G, jr.; Branson Bowman, C, sr. Promising newcomers: Sam Lincoln, soph.; Ethan Richardson, soph.; Terrance Cox, jr. Key losses: Matt Noe; Gavin Roe (19.8 ppg); Garrett Johnson. Outlook: Bowman is the lone returning starter and senior. He emerged as a leader over the summer. Wagner averaged three points and two assists last season, while Bowman supplied six points and six rebounds. Austin Klug also has varsity experience. Cox, the likely starter at point guard, led the Marion JV team to a 13-9 record last season. Richardson was also a big scorer at the JV level. Through the first four games this season, Wagner has averaged 14.2 ppg. Speed, defense and hustle are team strengths, while inexperience is a concern. The Scarlet Hurricane relied on eight seniors last year. Roe earned SWD player of the year honors. Marion advanced to the Group AA quarterfinals two years ago. Coach’s quote: “I’m excited about this team. We will be younger, but we picked up a lot of experience this summer playing at several camps. Last year was difficult because we had a large group of seniors who had to adjust to a new system, a new vocabulary, and new expectations. No one will outwork us.†– Chad Bailey ******************************************** Richlands District, Region: Southwest, Region IV Group, Division: Group AA, Division 3 Coach: Jimmy McGee Last season: 18-5, 8-3 Key returners: Austin Johnson, sr. (14.6 ppg); Devon Johnson, jr.; A.J. Johnson, soph.; Sean Overton, sr. Key losses: Gunner McGee (19.0 ppg) Outlook: As usual, basketball season in Richlands has been put on hold because of the successful Blue Tornado football team. Many of the same athletes who led Richlands to the Division 3 title game will star for the Blues this winter. McGee was one of the most potent scorers in Southwest Virginia the past two seasons. He earned first-team All-SWD honors last season, while Austin Johnson was a second-team pick. Richlands defeated Grundy for third place in the SWD tournament last season. The Blue Tornado then lost to Grundy in a Region IV tournament game. Coach’s quote: N/A ****************************************** Tazewell District, Region: Southwest, Region IV Group, Division: Group AA, Division 3 Coach: Lee Walker Last season: 3-17, 1-10 Key returners: Jeremiah Jessee, sr. (13.8 ppg.); Jalen Jordan, soph.; Brad Rhudy, sr.; Quentin Harris, sr.; Blake Hash, jr.; John Walker, jr. Promising newcomers: Cody McCann, soph. Outlook: Tazewell was hurt by three player defections last season, but Jessee emerged as a big scorer in the post and was a second-team All-SWD selection. He scored 24 points against Carroll County and will lead an experienced cast The Bulldogs closed last season with a 74-45 loss to Abingdon in the SWD tourney. Tazewell opened this season with a 71-68 loss to Bland, but Rhudy scored 22 points and Hash added 17. McCann was the quarterback for the Bulldog football team. Coach’s quote: N/A Life has many choices---eternity two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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