Hornets Return Two Seniors
There is a new sheriff in town this season in boys’ basketball at Hundred High School. First-year Head Coach Ryan May steps in and will try to turn around a boys’ program that has had several different head coaches since Justin Balwanz nearly had the Hornets in the state tournament back in 2009.
With only two seniors and three juniors on the squad, May will need to utilize 11 underclassmen, including five freshmen, to mesh into a well-oiled machine.
Speaking of oil, the Hornets will lean toward the slippery 5’7″ senior point guard Chris Varner to lead the way. Varner started last year and had a breakout season, dishing out assists and making steals. May will need to utilize Varner like the HHS football team used him-as everything. With only three players on the roster with much varsity experience, Varner will also need to do a little more scoring and lead by example, while waiting for the underclassmen to fit in.
Also returning to the lineup is 5’10” senior wing man Kirk Shriver, who is the team’s best long range shooter. Junior power forward Greg Stewart (6′) will also be there.
Stewart, along with Varner and Shriver, will need to pick up the scoring and defensive effort.
From there the final two spots will come down to 5’7″ junior Levi Simpson and sophomores Brandon Armstrong (5’11”) and Hunter Goddard (5’7″). Looking to break into the lineup could also be 6’4″ freshman Joe Mars and 5’10” freshman Holden Mars.
Finishing out the lineup is, 5’9″ junior Ethan Umstead; sophomores Courtland Armstrong (5’11”), Davin Copeland (5’6″), Brandon White (5’3″) ; and Mike Myers (6′). Freshman out that could make an impact include 5’10” Andrew King, 5’8″ Hunter Goff, and 5’7″ Greg Jones.
“We don’t have much height, so we probably won’t be able to go with the traditional positions,” May observed. “But we do have a nice mesh of underclassmen that we hope we can develop for the future with experience and repetitions. The more games these kids get, the more well-versed they will be as juniors and seniors.”
Helping May on the sidelines is veteran assistant coach Brian Bartlett. Hundred will open its season against the Paden City Wildcats Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Hundred High School.