By Chris Parker
Reeds Spring boys basketball has a new head coach in David Sherer this season. Sherer is entering his 22nd year as a head coach with a 353-249 career record.
The Wolves went 9-16 last season and return one player who saw action in all 25 games: senior all-conference honorable mention selection Brody Pettigrew. Pettigrew averaged 10.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game as a junior.
“Brody Pettigrew has really come into his own this summer and fall,” Sherer said. “(He is) much stronger. He is leading with his voice and with his effort. He has put time and concentrated effort into improving all facets of his game.”
Izek Hays played in 17 games as a sophomore, averaging 3.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
“Izek plays many roles on our team and is willing to guard all five spots,” Sherer said. “He plays with instinct and a high motor. He started off and on over the last two years.”
Senior Tyson Porter was slated to return, but will miss the season with a torn ACL.
Seniors Iain Phillips, Sam Carpenter and Kymani Headecker all saw limited varsity action last season.
Phillips played in nine varsity games as a junior.
“Iain Phillips can score at all three levels,” Sherer said. “(He) jumps well and had several high-point games on JV last year. (He) will do nothing but improve game by game playing at the varsity level.”
Carpenter played in eight varsity contests.
“Sam can shoot the ball, but this summer he started really attacking the rim and pulling up from the midrange,” Sherer said. “He is one of the biggest gym rats in our system. He will be a captain and will lead by example.”
Headecker averaged 2.9 points per game in 13 varsity games.
“Kymani Headecker continues to grow and figure things out each day,” Sherer said. “His effort and continued growth will be important to our success. If he learns to play in space, he is a hard matchup.”
Tyler Fisher (junior), Cal Waters (senior), Houston Hodges (freshman), Dom English (sophomore) and Zach Miller (freshman) are looking to move up to varsity for minutes.
Billy Taylor (junior) and Blake Pettigrew (sophomore) are new to the program this season.
“We are a work in progress and process,” Sherer said. “We are focusing on attention to detail and doing the little things correctly. We have very little experience regarding varsity time. I think we will improve as the season evolves. We have to understand we will have growing pains as roles have changed, and we lost so much in graduation.”
Reeds Spring opens the regular season on Nov. 21 at Green Forest (Ark.).
