By Chris Parker
Hurley boys basketball doubled its win total last season, going from five wins two years ago to 10 wins last season.
This season, a young team returns to the court.
“We are young, quick and athletic,” Hurley coach Larry Cloud said. “Outside of two seniors, the rest are all freshmen and sophomores. The future looks bright.”
The returning seniors are three-year starting point guard Andrew Escobar and four-year starter Danial Keithley. Escobar is one of the best defenders on the team according to Cloud. Keithley will be the team’s main rebounder and three-point shooter.
Sophomore Axel Langley returns after being a sixth-man last season. Cloud is looking for him to increase his scoring.
Sophomore Josh Lane along with freshmen Liam Puryear, Evan Potter and Jaythan Lami will be newcomers.
“I think our biggest strength will be our speed and defense,” Cloud said. “We will have to improve our scoring. We lost 95% of our scoring last season and will need some guys to step up.”
Hurley opens the season Nov. 22-26 at the Verona Tip-Off Classic.
“I want to see guys having fun and getting better,” Cloud said. “We know early on we will struggle as we will be pretty young. But if we are competing and playing hard, then we should be fine.”
