By Chris Parker
Blue Eye boys basketball won its second district title in a row and third in four years with a 20-9 record last season.
A tight-knit roster returns this season.
“I think our biggest strength this year will be how close this year’s team is,” Blue Eye head coach Trae Patton said. “They have been playing with each other since they were in grade school and genuinely enjoy playing together and push our team first agenda.”
A host of players return including all-conference honorees Braxton Bell (junior guard) and Kole Turner (sophomore guard).
Bell was a First-Team All-SWCL honoree as a sophomore.
“(Bell) is a very versatile player and plays extremely hard on both sides of the floor and plays with a contagious energy,” Patton said. “He is a good shooter who can help stretch the floor. We are looking forward to him expanding his role this year. Braxton has worked hard in the offseason to expand his game offensively. He has continued to grow as a leader both on and off the floor.”
Turner earned honorable mention all-conference as a freshman.
“Kole is an athletic point guard who has an impact on both sides of the floor for us,” Patton said. “We are looking forward to Kole expanding his role this year. He is a hard worker and has put in time this offseason to improve his skills on both sides of the floor and continues to grow as a leader.”
Seniors Riley Snowden (guard), Beau Brown (guard), Isaac Harper (forward) and Brayden Bettlach (forward) along with junior Joey Feagans (guard) also return.
Patton on Snowden: “Riley is a returning guard for us, who is a good shooter who can help stretch the floor. Riley had some big games for us last year, and we are looking forward to him expanding his role this year. Riley worked hard this offseason to improve his skills on both sides of the floor.”
Patton on Brown: “Beau is also a returning guard for us, who is a good shooter who can help stretch the floor. Beau had some big games for us last year, and we are looking forward to him expanding his role this year. Beau worked hard this offseason to improve his skills on both sides of the floor.”
Patton on Harper: “(Harper is) a returning athletic forward and strong defender. Isaac has a strong work ethic and has worked hard this off-season to improve to get stronger and expand his skill set. Looking forward to him expanding his role this year.”
Patton on Bettlach: “Brayden is a strong and smart post player who is returning for us. He is a hard worker and is versatile. Brayden has worked hard this off-season to improve his skills. We are looking forward to him expanding his role this year.”
Patton on Feagans: “Joe is a smart player who leads by example and has put in work this off-season to improve his skills. Joe has stepped up as a vocal leader for us as well this off-season. We are excited to see how his role expands this year.”
Newcomers who could have an impact include Bailey LeStage (junior forward), Broan Hartsell (junior guard), Cole Lippe (freshman guard/forward), Josh Rowe (sophomore guard), Caden Snowden (sophomore guard), Andrew Hardesty (freshman guard), Lucas Prestridge (freshman guard), Easton Campbell (freshman guard) and Jett Bell (freshman forward).
Blue Eye opens the season Nov. 22-26 at the Verona Tip-Off Classic.
“We will need to compete night in and night out on both sides of the floor,” Patton said. “Communication, being physical, as well as coming together as a team will be some points of emphasis.”
