Meadow Bridge head boys basketball coach Brandon Wickline experienced some growing pains last year in his first season as head coach.
Wickline is confident those lessons learned will translate into a strong season this year.
“I think we are going to be alright. I really do. Everything just seems to be falling right into place,” Wickline said. “I feel a lot better at this time this year than I did at this time last year. I think a lot of that is the fact that the kids understand the system now.”
Leading the group of experienced players are cousins Connor Mullins and Seaton Mullins.
Wickline expects the Mullins duo to have a big season for the Wildcats.
“Conner is our primary ball-handler. He is a really good outside shooter with a high basketball IQ. I expect him to put up some big numbers,” Wickline said.
The biggest strength for Seaton Mullins, who was a starting tailback on the football team, comes from him being a little unconventional in the post.
“Seaton played really well for us last year. He is not tall, but he is big and strong. The thing that gets a lot of people is how fast he is,” Wickline said. “I don’t know if there are very many bigs that can keep up with him.”
The Wildcats head man feels post play will be an area of strength for his team. A big portion of the optimism comes from the return of junior Blake Bennett.
Bennett went down with a knee injury early in the season last year causing him to miss the remainder of the season and part of the football season.
“Blake is 6-foot tall, 230 pounds and he will really help us in the post,” Wickline said. “I think once he gets going in the right direction, he will be hard to stop down low.”
Junior Bryce Sawyers adds more depth and is more of a traditional post player.
“I think both of them will have a good year. We had to change the offense last year when we lost Caidan Connor,” Wickline explained. “I went to a four out, one in look. Now we are going back to our traditional three out and two in. We are going to play a lot more physical.”
Freshman Kaiden Sims gives Meadow Bridge another powerful body standing 6-foot tall and weighing 180 pounds.
“Kaiden was another starting running back on the football team,” Wickline said. “He is a strong athletic kid and he will get some time.”
Dakota Hayes will be a starter this year and while he gives the Wildcats another solid shooter, Wickline is high on another part of his game.
“The main thing I like is he plays great defense,” Wickline said. “He is all over the floor. He is that kid that gives you all he has each night.”
Senior Conner Chester, Junior Cordell McClung and sophomore Jakob Bowman are all vying a for a starting guard position, but all will see time for the Wildcats this year.
“Last year I thought we had more depth than we actually did,” Wickline admitted. “This year I think I have two quality post players that can come in off the bench. I also think I will have two guards that can come in and we won’t miss a beat.”
