The late start to the state high school football playoffs and some adverse weather have slowed the Meadow Bridge boys basketball team in the early stages.
Still, head coach Brandon Wickline is excited and anxious to see what the 2024-25 season brings for his squad.
“I am really excited about this group. Overall this is probably my most athletic team since my first year when I had Connor Mullins, Ryan Cooper and those kids,” Wickline said. “Probably 1-9 this is the most athletic team I have had.”
Eleven players on the roster did not play football this year and have working since day one of practice. Practice will be crucial for the Wildcats.
“We are trying to change thing up completely,” Wickline said. “We will be more of a press and man-to-man team than we have been in the past. I have a different style of kids this year and we are athletic.”
Kaiden Sims and Trent Roles lead the returners and were both part of the football playoff team.
“Kaiden, that kid is just an athlete. I am pretty sure in football or basketball, he is one of the fastest kids in Class A. Our new style is more suited for him,” Wickline said. “Trent also started last year. He is very athletic too and has a good basketball mind. Hopefully we can press and get out and run on people.”
Tony Martin also played quality minutes last year and will join Sims and Roles in the starting lineup. Martin is 5-foot-11, 160 pounds and is also an athletic player.
Jacob Bowman is the only senior on the team and returns after missing last year, along with newcomer Chase Callison.
“Jacob missed last year with a knee issue. He can knock it down from the 3. Him and Trent both can shoot the ball,” Wickline said. “Chase transferred in last year, but not in time to play basketball. He is another athletic kid.”
Nick Hammons played center in football. Wickline says the young sophomore moves good and will help the Wildcats on the inside.
“I will probably go eight or nine deep this year,” Wickline said. “I have some sophomores that have grown up a lot in a basketball sense and also hit a growth spurt.”
One of the sophomores carries a prominent name for Meadow Bridge athletics, Keaton Rozell.
Brother Kobe was a high school basketball standout who later played at WVU Tech. Sister Kierston is a senior this year and is approaching 1,000 points for her basketball career.
“Rozell is one that hit a growth spurt and has worked hard on his shot. He can really knock it down,” Wickline said. “All three of them can shoot the ball. I have been told that when they are at home, they have a basketball in their hands, outside shooting. They are outside getting better on their own.”
Although the Wildcats have struggled the last few seasons, Wickline is confident in his team this year.
“We have talked about the postseason and the kids expect to make it to the state tournament. They have a good attitude,” Wickline said. “Starting out we will probably not look good with the limited work in the preseason, but we hope to be ready by March.”
Meadow Bridge host Sherman, Dec. 10 to open the regular season.
