Sports
TVC Boys’ Basketball Hero Watchlist
By: Russ Heltman
Posted on:
Seth Richardson-Alexander
Richardson, alongside Mason Chapman make up a dominant Alexander backcourt that led the Spartans to a second place finish in the TVC-Ohio last season. Richardson is a talented player who shoots the ball very well and has a great basketball IQ that allows him to see the floor well and hit open teammates. He is also a gifted defender who uses his athleticism to guard almost any position. As long as he can keep up his confidence shooting the ball, Richardson will be a star.
Mason Chapman-Alexander
The definition of utility player on the football field, senior Mason Chapman transitions that label perfectly to the court with his ability to excel in all facets of the game. Chapman is a strong outside shooter who uses his big body to rake in rebounds. Chapman is a strong offensive player, but he shines the most on defense where he is able to put pressure on any ball handler and guard multiple positions. Chapman and Richardson will once again look to lead Alexander on a run at the TVC-Ohio title.
Griffin Lutz–Athens
This year Athens will look to repeat as champions of the TVC-Ohio, and the key factor has to be the play of Griffin Lutz. As one of the best point guards in the TVC-Ohio, Lutz is an all around solid player on both ends of the floor, but he excels most as the teams main ball handler and distributor. The junior is apart of a dynamic backcourt alongside senior Zacchiah Saltzman and coach Skinner has said Lutz will be playing a lot of minutes this year giving him an opportunity to put up some big numbers for Athens. Lutz’s ability to take on this feature role will play a huge part in whether the Bulldogs can repeat as TVC-Ohio champions.
Dillion Swatzel-Eastern
The Eastern senior was bitten by the injury bug last year and was sorely missed by the Eagles as they finished last in the TVC-Hocking. Swatzel is now healthy and primed for a dominant senior season. A skinny and tall player at 6’3, he serves as the primary rebounder for the Eagles. He will need to utilize his height throughout the season to help an Eastern team that looks like it could struggle once again this year. Swatzel should standout as one of the best players in the conference if he can stay healthy and out of foul trouble.
Kaileb Sheets-Meigs
A household name on the football field, senior guard Kaileb Sheets is ready to return to a Meigs team on a quest for the TVC-Ohio title following a disappointing 2014 campaign. Sheets will have to become a steady leader on a team that has five underclassmen and a burgeoning star in junior guard Luke Musser. The Marauders offense fits Sheets perfectly as they will look to win the rebounding battle and push the ball up court quickly. If he plays with the same intensity as he does on the gridiron, he and the Marauders will be a force in the TVC-Ohio.
Luke Musser-Meigs
After an out-of-nowhere stellar sophomore season, Luke Musser is primed to breakout as the conferences best player. With Sheets at the other guard position, they are put out to be one of the best backcourts in the TVC. Musser was a lights out shooter from outside last year and he has utilized the offseason to improve his jumper even more. Musser will thrive in first-year head coach Ed Fry’s fast break focused offense with his ability to run lanes and get open on the outside. Musser is ready to make a strong case as the most dangerous player in the conference.
Aaron Davis-Nelsonville-York
A solid player as a sophomore, Davis will take on a bigger role on a Buckeye team that desperately needs a leader. The Buckeyes struggled throughout the season last year, as they finished second-to-last in the TVC-Ohio standings. The Buckeyes will look to make Davis a big factor in their game plan, a role he has yet to take on in his career. Davis has the potential to make a big splash in the TVC-Ohio, he just needs to work to get the ball on an offense desperate for scorers.
Hunter Edwards-Nelsonville-York
The junior point guard is now looking to play in a full season as the leader of this Buckeye squad. Edwards was a sneaky player on defense last season as he used his fast hands to average three steals per game. Along with the steals, Edwards averaged 12 points per game, and will look to improve that number as the prime ball handler for the buckeyes.
Justice Jenkins-Trimble
As the schools only 5,000-yard career rusher, Jenkins has long shown his dominance on the football field, but few people know that he prefers basketball to football. Jenkins is looking to make a similar impact on the court this season. Jenkins is one of two returning starters for Howie Caldwell’s squad and will once again run the offense. Jenkins is a high-energy guard who looks to push the tempo whenever he can and prefers to finish near the rim, though his jumper is much improved from last season. Jenkins will use this jumper to try and improve his poor play in the half-court. The Tomcats are looking to win back to back TVC-Hocking titles behind a newly well-rounded player in Jenkins.
Bryce Guthrie-Trimble
Guthrie is the other senior Trimble will rely on this season. As a forward, Guthrie will be the main focus of a frontcourt that lost Micah Couch and Grant Clarke to graduation. Guthrie rebounds the ball very well and has a sneaky good jump shot. He will definitely see more minutes and more time handling the ball as he is a solid dribbler for a big man and has the ability to run in transition.
Chase Wood–Vinton County
The Vikings had a solid season last year finishing third in the TVC-Ohio behind Athens and Alexander. The main force behind that respectable finish was then junior Chase Wood. Wood was a force to be reckoned with, as he was one of the biggest players in the conference. This year the senior will bring the experience of being a fourth-year starter to this Vinton County team in hopes they can make a push for the title.