Nicholas County boys basketball head coach Brian Phipps has seen this scenario several times.
A solid group of seniors, including a prolific scorer, move on after graduation leaving big shoes to fill.
The good news for the Summersville faithful is the veteran coach always seems to find the right feet to fill those vacant sneakers.
“We lost the state’s leading free-throw shooter and a guy that really scored points for us (in Colby Pishner),” Phipps said. “Then we lost a great rebounder and defender in Bryson Phipps and a really good point guard in Travis Smith.”
On the surface, the loss of Pishner is huge. As a quick-rising senior, Pishner averaged 25 points per game and had a knack for dramatic performances late in games.
While the Grizzlies likely won’t have a player like Pishner this season, the scoring bucket is far from empty.
“Everybody is going to have to pick up the pace,” Phipps said. “It won’t be just one person and we have a few guys that will have to share that load.”
Junior Ethan Collins and senior Jaxston Morriston are both players that can not only score, but provide strong rebounding.
Phipps will also look to 6-foot junior, Bryar Bailes who could be on the verge of a breakout season.
“Bryar has really worked his tail off over the (off-season),” Phipps said. “He has put on 20 pounds and increased his explosiveness and vertical leap. He is playing with confidence.”
Senior Austin Altizer played offensive guard on the football team and will be the steady force in the paint for Nicholas County.
“Austin will have to score and defend around the basket,” Phipps said. “He will need to do what Bryson did by taking hold of the defense to make sure everyone is in the right spot.”
Gage Groggs is in his second year under Phipps who feels with a little bit of patience his senior sharpshooter could be a key offesnive weapon.
“Gage is a great 3-point shooter,” Phipps said. “He still needs to let the game come to him more and not forcing some issues, but he has been doing a better job at that so far.”
A name to keep on eye according to Phipps will be sophomore Trey Stump.
“Trey had a great spring and summer. His early practices have been really good and he can throw it up from the outside as well,” Phipps said. “We have a bunch guys that will need to score more points for us to be successful. This group will be more balanced and teams won’t be able to focus on just one player.”
Phipps also likes the fact that his group can attack defenses in multiple ways to get buckets.
“I would like to be more tempo. We want to get up and down the floor and shoot layups, but I think we can play both ways,” Phipps said. “Our offensive scheme is designed for this group. We have been able to install more things off of the base offense than we have in the past and they are executing it well.”
Defense and taking care of the basketball will be the identity of this team according to the coach. Phipps believes if his team can do that, the rest will take care of itself.
“Herbert Hoover, is always good. Sissonville only lost one or two players and is much improved. Lewis County is always tough to play,” Phipps said about the sectional foes this year. “It will be tough for us, but I think we can make some noise.”
Nicholas County opens the season at home, Dec. 6 when it hosts Oak Hill.
