The Nicholas County boys basketball team was two points away from playing for the sectional championship last year before dropping a tough decision to Lewis County.
While the road to Charleston will once again be daunting, head coach Brian Phipps is seeing a lot of good things from his group to start the 2023-24 season.
“They are working hard and talking. For the first in a while, as a team, they are the most coachable group that I have had,” Phipps said. “I have had coachable players, but as a whole group, this may be the most coachable group I have had. They listen and try to execute what we tell them to the best of their ability. I can’t say enough good things about them.”
The Grizzlies will have a pair of senior starters back in Jaxson Morriston and Ethan Collins who combined for roughly 18 points per game.
“Jackson is more of a forward type player and Ethan is a guard type player,” Phipps said. “They are doing a great job leading our team and directing the team really well so far. They have been great leaders. It will be nice having them on the floor.”
Trey Stump is a returning junior that is a likely starter this year. Last season Stump averaged seven points and four rebounds.
“Trey is a really good shooter from the perimeter,” Phipps said. “He is going to do some really good things for us as well this season.”
The two remaining starting spots will be filled by Landon Hanna and Cole Brown. Brown played in 23 games last year and averaged just under nine points.
“Landon played some varsity last year and he has grown a couple of inches. Landon has done some great things in practice and he is a hustler that defends really well,” Phipps said. “Cole had some spot starts last year. He is a great defender and also brings hustle all over the floor. He is a physical player that can shoot the 3-pointer for us.”
Provided he can stay healthy, Ethan O’Dell could also be a solid contributor for the Grizzlies.
“Ethan has been plagued by injuries and hasn’t had a full season,” Phipps said. “He is a tremendous athlete and his practice time has been great.”
Nicholas County will also have a solid trio of players coming off the bench to add to the rotation in Trey Brogan, Isaiah Minor and Brock Miles.
“Trey is a really good 3-point shooter, especially when he gets in rhythm. Isaiah can jump out of the gym. He is still learning the game of basketball, but he gives it everything he has every day,” Phipps said. “Brock dressed some varsity last year and he will help us in the post. We just need to get him some confidence and have him play within himself. We need him to defend in the post, rebound and set screens for us.”
Phipps also believes he has some other plays that can contribute as the year moves toward the postseason.
“We have some guys that we are not sure on, but have potential. Ira Mylott, who is a baseball player has looked good. Hayden Dean played as a freshman and he is very vocal and a really good defender,” Phipps said. “A few more sophomores and freshman could see some varsity time, but right now we will play with about nine kids.”
While getting to the state tournament is the ultimate goal, getting to Charleston is never easy in Region 3.
“Our section is not easy, you have teams like Lewis County, Sissonville and Herbert Hoover. They always have good players and every sectional trip is at least an hour for us,” Phipps said. “Then you look over on the other side there is Midland Trail, PikeView, Independence and Shady (Spring). Things aren’t going to be easy.”
