It has been a few years since Nicholas County participated in the girls state basketball tournament.
After knocking on the door the last couple of years, head coach Kamryn Hornby believes he has a group to end the dry spell.
“It has been 13 years since we have been in the state tournament. I think this team has a good chance to do something. It is up to the kids as to how far they want to go,” Hornsby said. “I am real excited about this group. We lost a few from last year, but we got the majority of the team back along with four starters. So we are excited.”
Senior Adrienne Truman averaged 16 points, seven rebounds and four steals last year and is expected to have another big season in Summersville.
“Adrienne is very talented and very athletic in all of the sports that she does including cross-country and track. She loves basketball, but she is a heck of a track star,” Hornsby said. “She will be the focal point, but we will need some of the other kids to step up as well. Coaches are no dummies, they know our team. They will double her and triple her. I think we have some other kids that will step up, hit some shots and hopefully alleviate the pressure from her.”
While the Nicholas County coach hopes to rotate nine to ten girls in the game, he will is looking for senior Olivia Stone and junior Madison Coffman to both be impact players.
“I have coached Olivia since basically the sixth grade. She has worked hard. Her shot looks the best that I have seen in the four years she has been at the high school. She is a tremendous leader for us,” Hornsby said. “Madison is a post player, but probably not a post player in most systems. She can move and is a really good defender. I really feel like she will lead the state in deflections. That is where a lot Adrienne’s steals come from when Madison gets her hands on the ball.”
Juniors Tateny Mylott and Brooklyn Nunley, as well as sophomore Taylor White, should also step into bigger roles this year for the Grizzlies.
“Tateny is one of my hard-hitter kids. She does everything at 200 percent. She will let players know that she is there. She is a hustler and on loose balls, she is on the floor,” Hornsby said. “Taylor White has solid shot and is very unselfish. At times I need her to be more selfish and score when she has those looks near the basket. She will make the extra pass and do the extra work. Kamryn is a soccer player that is very athletic and plays exceptional defense.”
Brooklyn Nunley and Madelyn Jones are also part of the talented sophomore class for Hornsby.
“Brooklyn is similar to Adrienne in the way she plays. She has a good first step and will give us some good minutes,” Hornsby said. “Madelyn will help in the post. She has good moves around the basket and will give Madison a break. She can beat around in the post.”
Truman’s twin sister Addison is also back for her senior season to give Nicholas County another threat from the 3-point line.
“I have three seniors, two juniors and five sophomores, so we have a nice mix. I have also seen some good things out of the freshman kids as well,” Hornsby said. “This team will be physical. In years past under coach (Tom) McGirl when I helped him, his teams were very physical. Everybody knew when you played Nicholas County it would be a tough game and you would have to work for it. I see a lot of those similarities in this team.”
Nicholas County opens Dec. 4 at the Grafton Tournament.
