Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Lootpress
  • News
    • Breaking
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Consumer
    • Election 2024
    • Local
    • Entertainment
    • Health
    • National
    • Politics
    • West Virginia News
    • Kentucky News
    • North Carolina News
    • Ohio News
    • Pennsylvania News
    • South Carolina News
    • Virginia News
    • Weather News
  • County
    • Barbour County
    • Berkeley County
    • Boone County
    • Braxton County
    • Cabell County
    • Clay County
    • Greenbrier County
    • Fayette County
    • Jackson County
    • Kanawha County
    • Logan County
    • Mason County
    • McDowell County
    • Mercer County
    • Mingo County
    • Monroe County
    • Nicholas County
    • Putnam County
    • Raleigh County
    • Randolph County
    • Summers County
    • Wyoming County
  • Lifestyle
    • Pet of the Week
    • WV Tourism
      • Charleston CVB
      • Huntington CVB
      • Morgantown CVB
      • New River Gorge Tourism
      • Visit Southern WV Tourism
  • Editorials
  • Calendar
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Breaking
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Consumer
    • Election 2024
    • Local
    • Entertainment
    • Health
    • National
    • Politics
    • West Virginia News
    • Kentucky News
    • North Carolina News
    • Ohio News
    • Pennsylvania News
    • South Carolina News
    • Virginia News
    • Weather News
  • County
    • Barbour County
    • Berkeley County
    • Boone County
    • Braxton County
    • Cabell County
    • Clay County
    • Greenbrier County
    • Fayette County
    • Jackson County
    • Kanawha County
    • Logan County
    • Mason County
    • McDowell County
    • Mercer County
    • Mingo County
    • Monroe County
    • Nicholas County
    • Putnam County
    • Raleigh County
    • Randolph County
    • Summers County
    • Wyoming County
  • Lifestyle
    • Pet of the Week
    • WV Tourism
      • Charleston CVB
      • Huntington CVB
      • Morgantown CVB
      • New River Gorge Tourism
      • Visit Southern WV Tourism
  • Editorials
  • Calendar
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Lootpress
No Result
View All Result

Boys Basketball Preview: Greater Beckley is back and ready for a return to Charleston

Rusty Udy by Rusty Udy
Friday, December 8, 2023 1:09 pm

It goes without saying that the excitement is high for the Greater Beckley Boys basketball team this year.

Following a one-year postseason ban by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC), the Crusaders are back to business as usual.

“It is way more up-beat in practice,” Greater Beckley head coach Justin Arvon said. “Playing for the Christian school state tournament is great and we love that. However, at the end of the day, our school is accustomed to trying to compete to be at the WVSSAC state tournament in Charleston. When that option is not there, it does undermine the excitement of the season.”

The last time Greater Beckley was competing in the WVSSAC postseason, the Crusaders made it to the Class A state championship game.

Whether they can make a return trip to Charleston is still to be seen, but the Crusaders definitely have the pieces to make a run.

Greater Beckley will return an experienced group, but they will still have a big scoring gap to fill left by all-stater John Rose who graduated last year.

“We have four starters back, so I think we have a pretty good squad,” Arvon said. “We did lose John which was 30 points per game, but these guys have not taken much time off at all in the off-season. They have all progressed, gotten better and we have added some pieces.”

“We will be far deeper than we were last year,” Arvon went on to say. “We will probably shoot the ball better as a team than we did last year. We will rebound better because we have more size. It is a different team all together. They are an extremely confident bunch too which helps out.”

See also  Chris Vicars stepping down as head football coach in Summers County

The Crusaders will provide opposing defenses a strong challenge in the post this year with the return of senior Aaron Hall.

“Aaron is a 6-foot-5 forward who can step out and shoot it a little bit. He was a double-double kid last year and will be that to a great extent this year. He plays above the rim and is the hardest worker we have in the program right now.”

Junior Averyk Woodson averaged nine points, seven rebounds and four assists last year and Arvon expects him to be a big-time player this year.

“He will have the ball in his hands a lot this year,” Arvon said. “His wing span is about four inches longer than it should be, so he led us in blocked shots last year. He is really good on the defensive end and he can change the game as well.”

Kash Hendrix was one of the top 3-point threats in the state last year as a sophomore averaging 10 points per game.

“Kash was our leading 3-point shooter and was inside the top-five in the state last year” Arvon said. “He spent the off-season adding to his game. He now puts the ball on the floor and gets to the rim. He has improved his toughness and if he brings that to the team this year he will have a prominent role on this team.”

Hunter Laxton will also see time for the Crusaders and is described as the energy guy, that rebounds and will do anything to help the team win.

One of the newcomers this season will be freshman Keegan Davidson who has proven already he can play well above his years.

See also  Curry leads Warriors in win against Pelicans

“Keegan is a huge add to our team. He is an immediate leader that is a really good shooter,” Arvon said. “He can penetrate and is one of the best ball handlers in the area already. I would argue one of the best players already. He will play the point mostly and play in transition. That is what we want to do, get the ball up the floor.”

Joining Davidson as a newcomer this season is Kellen Heffernan who played at Woodrow Wilson last year. Heffernan will definitely be an impact player for the Crusaders.

“Kellen is a smooth player that is a good defender and can shoot the basketball. He can really attack the rim as well,” Arvon said. “I have made it a personal goal of mine to make him tired in practice and that has not happened. He will really help us.”

Landon Rose and Eli Gunter will give Greater Beckley added depth on the perimeter.

“Landon is John’s brother and he can really shoot it. He is not shy about it either,” Arvon said. “He is not the biggest kid in the world, but he acts like it. Landon can come in and turn a game around in the blink of an eye. Eli is another guard that can shoot. I am excited about what he brings to the table.”

Isaiah Kincaid is 6-foot-3 and is a skilled perimeter player that can play in the post and finish around the rim. He, along with Josh Garlow, Colten Harper and Kaden Bolen should all see varsity minutes this year.

Don't Miss

March Madness 2025
Featured

March Madness 2025: Final Four Dates, Location, and Schedule

1 month ago
Graphic Courtesy of Marshall University
College Sports

Marshall’s Cornelius ‘Corny’ Jackson named finalist for Joe B. Hall Award

2 months ago
FILE - West Virginia head coach Neal Brown gets holds the trophy after their win against North Carolina in an NCAA college football game at the Duke's Mayo Bowl Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. Brown has agreed to a $400,000 pay cut over the next three years while being rewarded with a one-year contract extension through 2027 following a nine-win season. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
College Sports

Former WVU head coach Neal Brown finds new home in college football

2 months ago

Community Calendar

Lootpress brings you the latest news in Southern West Virginia and around.

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Youtube

Recent News

Secretary of State Kris Warner Announces 103 Municipal Elections Set for 2025

May 13, 2025
Daughter violently attacks her 81-year-old father

Daughter violently attacks her 81-year-old father

May 13, 2025
  • About
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

© 2024 Lootpress - Your News, Now! - Occidental Imports & Exports Company dba Lootpress

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Breaking
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Consumer
    • Election 2024
    • Local
    • Entertainment
    • Health
    • National
    • Politics
    • West Virginia News
    • Kentucky News
    • North Carolina News
    • Ohio News
    • Pennsylvania News
    • South Carolina News
    • Virginia News
    • Weather News
  • County
    • Barbour County
    • Berkeley County
    • Boone County
    • Braxton County
    • Cabell County
    • Clay County
    • Greenbrier County
    • Fayette County
    • Jackson County
    • Kanawha County
    • Logan County
    • Mason County
    • McDowell County
    • Mercer County
    • Mingo County
    • Monroe County
    • Nicholas County
    • Putnam County
    • Raleigh County
    • Randolph County
    • Summers County
    • Wyoming County
  • Lifestyle
    • Pet of the Week
    • WV Tourism
      • Charleston CVB
      • Huntington CVB
      • Morgantown CVB
      • New River Gorge Tourism
      • Visit Southern WV Tourism
  • Editorials
  • Calendar
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
    • Contact Us

© 2024 Lootpress - Your News, Now! - Occidental Imports & Exports Company dba Lootpress