2019-20 Winter Preview: Fair Play Boys Basketball

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By Chris Parker

Fair Play boys basketball enters the second season of the Deric Link era having to replace a trio of seniors in Noah Rutledge, Logan Underwood and Scott Schwartz from last season’s team that finished 19-9.

“They all brought great energy, effort, and passion every day in practice,” Link said. “They were competitive guys who brought out the best in everyone every day. Their leadership on and off the court will be something we miss, but that it also opens the door for opportunities for others to step in and be the leader, to challenge teammates every day, and grow as individuals.”

Codey Shuler returns to lead the Hornets in his senior season after averaging 9.5 points. 3.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.7 steals last season.

“Codey was huge for us a year ago at not only setting the tone offensively as our point guard, but also defensively as he stepped up to the challenge as guarding the opposing team’s best guard every day,” Link said. “Codey is an extremely athletic kid who does a lot of things well for us. I’m looking forward to seeing him step up this year as a leader and have an awesome senior year. Codey is as competitive as they come and as gritty as they come. He is a tough kid who enjoys taking on a challenge.”

Fellow senior Colby Durst gives Link a strong duo to lean on for leadership. Durst averaged 4.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game last year.

“Colby grew into a big role for us last year having to guard every team’s best big man last year. He is rarely the biggest kid on the floor, but it is hard to find someone who will outwork him,” Link said. “This is a total team guy, the most impressive stat of his from last year were the 20 charges he took. Colby is going to be a guy we rely on this year to bring great energy and effort every day.”

The junior quartet of Adrian Hartshorn, Kolin Thomas, Adam Bass and Mason Hopkins also return after all seeing significant varsity time last year.

Hartshorn led that group, and all returning players, with 9.6 points per game as a sophomore.

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“Adrian is another hard working and competitive kid in our program. He had a great summer for us and really bought into the process,” Link said. “He has a chance to be a great playmaker for us with his high basketball IQ. He has the ability to create for his teammates and score for himself. He is a competitive kid that is always wanting another challenge.”

Thomas averaged 4.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game last year.

“Kolin is one of the top athletes in our program,” Link said. “He does so many positive things for us offensively and defensively. He stretches the floor with his ability to knock down the three as well as force you to run with him for 32 minutes. He can be a top rebounder and defender for us as well.”

Bass also played in 28 varsity games last year with averages of 3.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

“Adam has a high ceiling for what he can accomplish this year,” Link said. “He has worked really hard in the off-season to improve his game. He is tough and hard working. He has an opportunity to be a dominant low post presence for us offensively and defensively. We saw flashes last year of how great he can be on the boards and how that impacted his play. I think he takes a big step forward this year as a junior in putting it together. He also has the skill set to step outside and stretch the floor for us with his ability to knock down the three.”

Hopkins saw time in 12 varsity games last year, but that number should grow this season.

“Mason is a huge glue guy for us. He took on the role of being an energy guy for us last year was awesome at it. He is a kid who just wants to compete. He has an opportunity to help us with depth this year at the guard position by his ability to come off the bench and take care of the basketball, defend, and knock down the open shot,” Link said.

Senior Landon Wright returns after missing most of last season with a torn ACL.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him have a full year for us,” Link said. “He can do a lot of things around the basket. He has a soft touch and is super competitive. He has high expectations for himself and he will be another big for us competing for time.”

Gavin Tennyson, who stands at 6’3, is a new name to watch on the varsity level.

“I have been really impressed with the growth of Gavin’s skills. He has worked hard to improve. He is a big kid who can give us time in the low post. He has the capability to finish with both hands and he loves the game. He has a passion for getting better and loves working on his game,” Link said.

“Our biggest strength I think will be our experience. We have five of our top eight and seven of our top 10 return from a 19-win season a year ago. That is huge. With that we also have guys coming back with a chip on their shoulder. They won 19 games and want more. This is a competitive group that can be tough defensively and score in a multitude of ways on the offensive end,” Link said.

Link will look for his team to become more of a tight-knit group to reach their full potential.

“The biggest thing we need to improve upon for us to have the most success this season is our connection as a unit,” Link said. “Our guys have to improve on their connection with their teammates. The closer we can get as a group, the more unselfish we can be, and more trust we can gain in our teammates will allow us to have more fun as a group and more success. They have a head start on this through growing up together. This will improve all of our offensive and defensive needs for improvement because we will care for more than just ourselves but the betterment of the group.”

Fair Play opens the season Dec. 2-7 at the Humansville Tournament where the Hornets are the No. 1 seed.

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