By Chris Parker
Gainesville boys basketball has high expectations this year with four seniors returning including three that averaged double figures in scoring for 2020-21 edition of the Bulldogs that finished 18-9 overall.
Those four seniors are: Bryce Hambelton (post), Landry Jenkins (guard/forward), Jake Leeker (guard/forward) and Ryan Poe (guard/forward).
“These four are all very familiar with our expectations and also have good rapport with the underclassmen on our team,” Gainesville head coach Morris Jenkins said. “They each have good skill sets for their positions and are committed to team goals.”
Hambelton was a first-team all-conference selection last year after he averaged 17.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 67% from the field.
“(Bryce is a) very solid and consistent rebounder and interior scorer,” Jenkins said. “His size and mobility give us a good defensive presence in the lane.”
Leeker also was named first-team all-conference after he averaged 15.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He also led the team in steals with 43.
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“(Leeker) gives our team a lot of production on both ends of the floor. (He is a) good shooter that also has ability to make plays in the paint,” Jenkins said. “(He) has strong competitive traits that help lead our team.”
Landry Jenkins was an honorable mention all-conference selection on the strength of his 11.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3 assists per game. He took 19 charges last year and led the team in 3-point field goal percentage at 35%.
“(He is a) very versatile player who increased his production in all areas last season,” Coach Jenkins said. (He is a) good shooter who has also developed his ability to attack with the dribble.”
Poe will look to increase his production this year as a senior.
“(Poe is a) player that does a lot of the ‘little things’ that don’t always show up in stats like screens, position rebounds, makes the right pass, etc,” Jenkins said. “(He is a) capable shooter who works well with teammates to take advantage of team strengths.”
The guard trio of Wyatt Alms (junior), Carter Wise (junior) and Easton McGee (sophomore) all gained extensive varsity experience last year.
Jenkins on Alms: “Solid guard that can play the point or the wing. Has ability to make open shots and drive the ball in the paint. Has good understanding of team strategy and strives to work well with teammates.”
Jenkins on Wise: “Athletic guard who had several ‘spark plug’ moments last season. Capable scoring threat with his shot and drive.”
Jenkins on McGee: “As a freshman got a lot of our ball handling assignments and progressed well. Good shooter and ball handler. Anticipates well on both ends of the floor and has a good understanding of team strengths.”
“We return the bulk of our 18-9 varsity team from last year. With all of our returners we have a lot of experience and also are bigger which will allow us to be more physical. We have good strengths at several key spots and feel with great effort and attitude we can be a very competitive team,” Jenkins said.
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Grayden Rowbotham (junior forward), Camden Evans (junior guard), Nathan Kiger (sophomore guard/forward) and Andrew Hambelton (sophomore forward) are four newcomers are expected to contribute.
Gainesville opens the regular season Nov. 29-Dec. 4 at the Forsyth Tournament.
“We hope to be a well-balanced team which plays with great effort and demonstrates a great team-first attitude. We feel we will have good depth and can hopefully use that as a key strength,” Jenkins said. “We understand that we play a very solid schedule with very good conference teams and regardless of what class we end up in our district opponents will be solid as well. That being said we are confident that we can be a team that competes well with all teams on our schedule.”
