By David Grimes
Inexperience is the best way to describe this year’s edition of the Hidden Valley boys’ basketball team, as the Titans return only one starter off of last season’s team that finished fourth in a tough River Ridge District.
The lone returning starter for the Titans is senior guard Dylan Hobson. Senior forward Ben Munsey and junior guard Tyler Kendrick return to the team that went 14-14 last year.
Ready to hit the hardwood for Hidden Valley this season is Hayes Nelson (junior, forward), J.J. DeVaughn (sophomore, guard), Davion Rice (sophomore, guard), Jacob Bowen (senior, center), Walker Brand (junior, guard), Blake Butterworth (junior, center), Camden Sine (sophomore, guard), Andrew King (junior, guard), Doug Hartley (senior, guard), Chris Moses (senior, forward) and Tim Rohr (senior, forward).
According to head coach Troy Wells, who is starting his fifth season at Hidden Valley, “Dylan Hodson will be our leader this year on the court. Hopefully we can find some complements to his game. Tyler Kendrick will handle the point guard position and Hayes Nelson will have to step up on the wing. Jacob Bowen and Ben Munsey needs to be a presence in the paint. J.J. DeVaughn and Davion Rice will add some quickness and athleticism to the lineup.”
When asked about this season’s edition of the Titans, Wells stated, “We are very inexperienced with only one starter back and two other returners. We have several sophomores playing and a few seniors who have not played in the past. We will have to grow up fast to have a successful season.”
As for Hidden Valley’s strengths and weaknesses, Wells added, “We are very young and fairly small, so we will have to play harder than our opponents in order to compete. We will see what our strengths are as the season develops.”
The Titans will have a tough schedule this season, as they will play three Group AAA teams from the area, as well as big games with Cave Spring and Salem. Hidden Valley opens its season on Monday, Nov. 26, at Franklin County.
