Pictured is veteran MHS Head Coach Dave Tallman talking to most of his 19 boys basketball players on what drills they were going to practice

The Blue Eagles did not have a very good basketball season a year ago, in terms of the boys. The loss of the team’s top scorer and rebounder Leo Herrick as well as Garrett Babe, Jarrett Moore, William Nice and DeMarco Smith would make one think “Here we go again,” on not having a good season. They would be wrong, however, as coaches Dave Tallman, Mark Blair and Larry West have some very good players to use during a long season, that could spell state-bound for these guys.

We can start with returning starters junior Jake Gamble (6-1) and senior Eli Nice (6-2) and add senior Matthew Gaiser (6-4), junior Trenton Scheibelhood (6-3) and Silas McKeever (6-1), they have a solid (five). Moreover, Tallman has some other guys who will challenge these five for starting roles and first guys off the bench.

Gamble looks to be the main guy on the perimeter. He can drive and finish like all the great Blue Eagle guards of the past, but he is also deadly from beyond the arc, as well as a good distributor of the ball. Gamble is a player not influenced by the opposition. His ball handling is spot-on as well. His shooting went from being average to top-notch. He looks to be the floor general, along with freshman Trevor Williamson (5-8). If needed, they also can also use senior Sebastian Stickler (6-0) and junior Jacob Miller (6-0) for playing.

Being a slasher and distributor, Gamble will be able to deliver the ball to Gaiser and Scheibelhood in many ways, as well as his other teammates.

Gaiser and Scheibelhood are competing as the top big man but will both be in the line-up a lot, even if one them starts on the bench. Gaiser didn’t play since he was a freshman, but looks to be a player that will see major minutes with his all out-hustle and inside game, while Scheibelhood’s game has gotten better and better both offensively, as well as defensively – along with his presence around the paint.

McKeever saw a lot of time last season and is a player that can take over a game. He can do it all and do it very well. He has an excellent touch from around the perimeter, as in the paint. His defense and rebounding the ball, as well as keeping the ball alive on their hoop side, are as good as it gets.

Scheibelhood and McKeever have seen a lot of game action the past several years, and have always been team players who will give opposing team fits with their aggressive play and hustle.

These two gems, like all the rest of the starters, can shoot, run and defend.

As to Eli Nice, he has always been a very good rebounder, and he possesses an all-out hustle and speed the Eagles will benefit from.

You might have a starting group made up of unfamiliar names, but it won’t be very long before teams will know who they are.

Despite having a tight-nit bunch to start, you must find some guys to fill in and keep what unity you have going, and give the starters a breather.

Williamson is challenging for a starting job at guard and looks like he can hold his own with anybody. He is an excellent shot and distributor of the ball and looks to be up as the second guard. Even with his size, he will prevail; he is that good.

Also challenging for playing time are sophomores Chase Glover, Gavin Postlethwait and Levi Cecil as well as freshmen Damon Shimp, Marcus Barnes and Brendan Mirandy.

Also on the roster are Levi Quinn, Woodson London, Kayden Jones, Timothy Wells, Kolbee Cecil, Drew Clegg and Samuel Mensore.

“I have a lot of players that we will use, and some that will play both varsity as well as the junior varsity, but I believe that we have a fine bunch of players and should compete with any Class A teams,” said Coach Tallman.

“I like our chances to get better and better every practice and game and be basketball ready by mid-season, tournament time as well.”

The Eagles open up with Monroe Central on Dec. 4 in Woodsfield, while taking on the Running Rebels of Ritchie County at home Dec. 11, with junior varsity games tipping off at 6 p.m.

Prediction: 17-6