By Chris Parker
Forsyth boys basketball has posted three straight winning seasons including a 20-8 record last season.
This year Forsyth will look to continue the winning trend with some key players returning.
“We have shared the conference title a couple of times the last few years. We would love to have an opportunity to win it outright, but that is a tough task in a conference with such tough coaches and teams. We have our eyes on competing for a possible district title. Hopefully we can put ourselves in that position,” Forsyth head coach Kevin Smith said.
A pair of all-conference players in Chris Halbrook and Tamarkus Holmes return for their senior seasons.
Halbrook was named First-Team Mid-Lakes All-Conference as a junior.
“Chris has two years of varsity experience in a starting position. (We are) looking for him to help others see the vision we have as a team. Chris will help lead us with his work; he puts a lot of time into his game,” Smith said. “He has great playmaking ability. He can score at all three levels. He can really be dangerous on both ends of the floor.”
Holmes earned Second-Team Mid-Lakes All-Conference honors as a junior.
“Tamarkus is so dynamic with the ball,” Smith said. “He is so strong with the ball when he drives it, but what makes him more dangerous is that he can shoot it from the perimeter. He led us in three-point percentage last year.”
Griffin Coen is a third returning starter for Forsyth.
“(Coen) could be a tough matchup problem with his post-up ability and being able to shoot from the perimeter,” Smith said.
Ben Boyer and Thomas Strahan also return with varsity experience.
“Ben Boyer is an excellent on-the-ball defender and can really hit from the perimeter,” Smith said. “Thomas Strahan came off the bench and hit some big shots for us last year. (He) has some great vision on the floor.”
Colton Voliva, Cooper Lais, Jacob Stamps, Brenden Halbrook and Reid Wyman will also factor into the varsity equation.
Smith on Voliva: “Colton Voliva is a big post that will help us in the post with size and strength which could be a plus. I look forward to seeing what he can do.”
Smith on Lais: “Cooper Lais is an extremely big post that will be able to control the middle offensively and defensively. The more aggressive he is, the better we will be.”
Smith on Stamps: “Jacob Stamps is a guard with good handles that can make plays and be a solid defender.”
Smith on Brenden Halbrook: “Brenden Halbrook has good length and can attack the basket, rebound and shoot from the perimeter.”
Smith on Wyman: “Reid Wyman is coming off a knee injury, and we hope to get him back during the season. He will be a good shooter that can make plays for others.”
This group brings good speed but will need to improve defensively.
“I think speed and length will be a strength,” Smith said. “I think we need to guard better as a team. We have a couple of individuals that are extremely good. We just need to be better as a team.”
Forsyth hosts its home tournament Dec. 1-6 to open the regular season.
“We would like to be playing our best basketball at the end of the season and see if we can push for a conference and district championship,” Smith said.
