A cursory look at the boys 32nd District might make you think Walton-Verona would dethrone Simon Kenton next February and win its second title in three years.
You would think that because the Bearcats return four of their top six scorers from last year’s 20-11 squad, but fifth-year coach Mike Hester didn’t predict his team would win.
“I’m not going to say that,” fifth-year Walton-Verona coach Mike Hester said. “Obviously, our goal is to win the 32ndDistrict and then go on from there, win a region.”
Grant County coach Joseph Utter likes Walton-Verona.
“In our district, Walton-Verona has the most returning players and won’t have to fill as many roles,” Utter said. “Simon Kenton will need to learn to play without the 7’3″ center (Youngstown State freshman Gabe Dynes) they have had the last two seasons and will rely heavily on shooting guard Travis Krohman. Williamstown will be solid this year with several returning starters as well.”
Simon Kenton coach Trent Steiner’s response is two-word succinct.
“That’s okay,” he said.
Simon Kenton (22-11 last year)
The Pioneers reached the 8th Region semifinals. This season’s obvious question: How will the Pioneers compensate for not having Dynes protecting the rim in a zone defense?
Steiner said returning to man-to-man defense might be a solution, though he said relearning it is possible.
“We’ve got a lot of things in the works, man being one of them,” Steiner said. “That’s what you practice for. When you don’t do close-outs every day, man-to-man close-outs … angles are different in man-to-man than they are zone. Transition defense is different, man vs. zone.”
Senior shooting guard Travis Krohman, Simon Kenton’s leading scorer at 17.7 points a game, returns. Steiner said he does more than hit threes.
“He can get to the hole now, he’s gained weight, he’s stronger,” Steiner said. “ … he’s a great scorer from the perimeter, his pull-up game has gotten better, his mid-range game has gotten better.”
Junior Jay Bilton (8.5 points a game) is the point guard. Steiner said Bilton is especially effective on defense.
“He does so many things defensively,” Steiner said. “There were multiple games where he had double-digit deflections. You’re getting your hands on the ball that many times, that’s really good. ‘Savant’ might not be the right word for him, but he’s awful fun to coach.”
If Simon Kenton opts for a three-guard set, look for senior Miles Brown to join Krohman and Bilton. Juniors Brayden Polly and Bode Stone comprise the front line.
Walton-Verona (20-11)
Something Hester wants folks to notice: the Bearcats love to run. “We play an up-and-down style,” he said.
Four double-figure scorers are back: junior Aaron Gutman (whose 17.5 points a game led the team), senior Julian Dixon (15.7) and seniors Zach Smith and Max Montgomery (10.8 and 10.1, respectively).
Hester wants the 6-6 Gutman and 6-3 Dixon to be versatile enough to play center or point guard. They have large roles they have to fill.
“Aaron can get a rebound, and he can be initiating the offense,” Hester said. “Julian can get a rebound, initiate the offense.
Hester said Smith and Montgomery could alternate between point guard, shooting guard and small forward. Senior Landon Bach, who started last season, is a true point guard.
“A the end of the day, all our guys, we ask them to do three things – we want them to make shots, we want them to play hard, and we want to play defense,” Hester said. “We get those three things done, they’ll play.”
Grant County (25-8)
The Braves’ biggest challenge: replacing four seniors, including all-time leading scorer and rebounder Dylan Hammonds, who’s now a freshman at Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati.
Two starters, senior guards Jackson Utter and Spencer Breeden, return.
“Jackson has run point guard for three years and averaged 5.1 points, 4.7 assists and 3.1 rebounds,” Coach Utter said. “He is as fast as they come with the ball and a great on ball defender. Spencer is a 6’1″ strong athletic shooting guard that can knock down the jumper or get to the rim. He averages 13.7 points and 4.1 rebounds. He will be a tough matchup and is capable of putting up huge numbers this season.”
Junior shooting guard Ben Bosse could step in and fill some of the scoring we lost from last season.
“We will be the underdogs most of the season and it will take a little time for us to find our new rotations,” Joseph Utter said. Our junior class will have serval players stepping in filling new roles.”
Williamstown (14-16)
In a word, the Demons are experienced.
The top two scorers, seniors Colton Feagan (19.3 points a game) and Honore Yangoua (16.0), are back. Feagan made 48.1% of his shots (including 40.3% of 3-pointers), and Yangoua’s 5.7 rebounds led the team.
“Both are much improved for senior season,” fifth-year coach Jacob Cheesman said. “Both made improvements to weaknesses in offseason. Colton has improved defensively and is rebounding great in preseason. Honore is shooting the basketball at a really high level.”
Cheesman said senior Malachi Donaldson could make the biggest difference.
“Last year Malachi was injured in (the) first preseason game and returned in January but was never 100%,” Cheesman said. “Donaldson rebounds, defends, takes charges … Having him healthy is huge for this team.”
Sophomore guard Javonte Yangoua, junior guard Owen Taylor round out the starting lineup. Senior guard Riley Morris, senior center Derek Anderson, senior forward Trevor Faulkner, senior Alex Jordan and junior guard Holten Schultz could comprise a 10-player rotation.