Times have been tough for Richwood boys basketball in regards to numbers in the win column the last few seasons.
First year head coach Todd Russell is hoping a strong core of senior returners and different style of play will equate to a solid season.
“I think we can be pretty good if we can get them to buy into the speed and intensity that we want to play with,” Russell said. “Going into the off-season last year I just felt like we needed to play faster. We tried to play slow and methodical the last couple of years. We just couldn’t put the ball in the basket enough or play good enough defense to win ball games that way.”
Russell has been the assistant basketball coach for the last three seasons under J.B. Miller who stepped down after last season. He is also the head football coach and was the middle school basketball coach two year prior to moving up to the high school.
“Most of them I coached against them or coached them in some capacity,” Russell said. “Some of them since they were eight, so I have had them for a good while.”
A big portion of the optimism this season centers around three veteran seniors that will lead the team.
“Grant Russell, Tyler Barnhouse and Trey Trivolette all started last year,” Russell said. “They have to step up and be huge for us this year. We will be relying big on those three to push things and get us going.”
Barnhouse is an athletic player, especially on the football field, while Russell will be the guy the Lumberjacks look to for scoring.
“On the football field, Tyler is kind of unmatched in single-A. Basketball-wise he needs a little confidence, but at 5-7 he was one of our leading rebounders last year. We will also look to him for hard defense,” Russell said. “Grant can stretch the floor, shoot the deep 3-pointer and get to the basket. We feel like we really need to get him to the foul line at least 5-7 times and 10 would be great. He shoots such a good percentage that we have to get him there.”
Trivolette plays down low for Richwood, but can also step out and knock down the long ball creating matchup issues with opposing bigs.
Casey Beard gives the Lumberjacks another big presence inside and Skylar Broyles will add depth at the guard position.
“Casey is 6-foot-4 and played football. He will be our banger inside and we will look to him to get rebounds and easy buckets,” Russell said. “We are looking for Skylar to really help us out on defense. He has to give us solid minutes and probably start some.”
Defense will be a strong emphasis according to Russell and crucial to a successful season for Richwood.
“We are stepping up the defensive intensity and trying to get out and run to get some of those easy baskets that have eluded us the last couple of years,” Russell said. “That is what the good teams do. They win ball games off hard defense and that is the formula in single-A basketball.”
Junior Christian Griffith, sophomore Brock Ward and freshman Christian Nealy are expected to make contributions this season as well.
“Christian Griffith played some varsity last year and really looked good this summer. The game was slowing down a little bit for him. He plays super hard, we just have to get his shot dropping for him,” Russell said. “Brock is not real tall, but can knock down 3’s and play defense. Christian Neal is 6-foot-4 will give us some minutes, get some rebounds and give some players a break.”
The Lumberjacks will need to be ready to hit the ground running since they will have just one home game in December with seven road contests on the slate.
“We stepped the intensity and have gone super hard in practice. Hopefully we keep getting better and will be ready to go when the season starts,” Russell said.
