Although he is not the least bit thrilled with the situation, Kincaid’s teams have been competitive the last two seasons.
Originally classified in Class AA for basketball with the option to play up one class, Trail elected to play in Class AAA with the likes of Wyoming East, Summers County, Mingo Central and Chapmanville playing in the same AA region.
“We competed last year and we went to the states the year before. It is a big task being single-A and playing triple-A,” Kincaid said. “It is tough, but you have to do what is best for your program. Hopefully the WVSSAC will do what is best for our program and put us in single-A where we belong (after next season).”
Until that time, the Patriots will play the cards they are dealt, which on the surface, Trail looks to hold a solid hand.
Midland Trail will be tasked with replacing a great player in Meghan Gill who graduated last year, but the Patriots do return some weapons.
“Meghan was kind of like our coach on the floor, so we do miss her her leadership along with her scoring,” Kincaid said. “We will need to find some of the younger kids to pick up the lost rebounding and scoring.”
The Patriots will be strong up top where a pair of sophomores harass ball handlers and create easy basket with ease at times.
“Addie Isaacs is really tough and to be honest with you, I was a little surprised she wasn’t all-state last year. I thought she was the third best player in our region and there were some good players in this region,” Kincaid said. “Rumor Barnhouse played well for us last year and she has also improved. They are just athletes that are competitors and love to play.”
Kincaid loves for his teams to play fast and create havoc using multiple defenses.
To do that, the Patriots will need some depth and the veteran coach feels like he has a pair of sophomores to get the job done.
“We like to change the defenses and get up and down the floor to score. Addi will get her points and I feel like Rumor will score better this year,” Kincaid said. “We should get some help from our sophomore group that really looks improved. Jayla Barnhouse and Ava Dickerson, will step in there and play the back-up role at the guard position.”
Midland Trail only has two seniors this year, Brylee Stephenson and Mia Nuckols. Both players are veterans to the varsity floor and will be counted on to provide strong leadership.
“We have big expectations for Brylee Stephenson. She started last year and we are looking for some leadership from her. We are counting on her stepping up this year. She is built like a basketball player and has made some big plays for us in the past,” Kincaid said. “This will be Mia Nuckols third year as a starter. She is coming back from an ankle injury in soccer and may start a little slow. She gets after it on defense though and is a good all-around player.”
Sophomore Catherine Maxwell and junior Maddie Harrell will add size inside with Stephenson and Kincaid has a couple of freshman that have made an impression on him.
“There are a couple of freshman I really like. Nevaeh Hall is very athletic and can play about anywhere. Jody Ward is also athletic and long. Look for them to make an impact,” Kincaid said. “I have seen a lot improvement in the ball-handling and the basic skill sets, but we still have a ways to go.”
The season may start a little slow for the Patriots, but once the postseason rolls around, Kincaid thinks his team will be right in the mix for a trip to Charleston.
“I have always pressed and trapped. We like to do a lot of different defenses and get up and down the floor. I am confident in about 10 kids that can play,” Kincaid said. “It will take some time to get up to varsity speed for some of them, but by the second half of the season, we have a chance to be a really solid basketball team.”
