An examination of Polk County’s men’s varsity basketball roster reveals a concentration of all-around athletic talent and team-oriented play.
The Wolverines’ most recently captured the Western Highlands Conference title in 2007. This season, a squad of talented and more experienced players, hope to reach that level once more.
Fourth-year head coach Josh McEntire is blessed with a solid core.
Top players on the 2013/14 squad include sophomore Jamal Tanner and Anthony Carson (senior). Each received All Western Highlands Conference and All Area Player honors. Among other contributions, Tanner, a guard, averaged 10.5 points per game. Carson, also a guard, averaged 11 points per contest.
Rounding out the list of returning players are forward Saquan Miller (senior), Jaron Bontrager (a senior guard), senior forward Wes Brady, junior forward Jordan Smith, and sophomore center Wes Mullis.
All-Conference guard Alec Philpott graduated in 2013, but his absence might give some newcomers a chance to display their talent. These latter include Will Ballard, a senior center; Reece Schlabach, a senior guard; junior center Morgan Groves; another junior center, A.J. Searcy; Tanner Garrett, a junior forward; and Jason Chupp, a junior guard.
“Along with Anthony and Jamal, I look for Jaron Bontrager, Saquan Miller, Wes Brady, Wes Mullis and Jordan Smith to step up and play key roles in the success of our season,” predicted McEntire.
Two-time returning conference champion, Hendersonville, will have a very good ball club again this year, McEntire said.
“Mountain Heritage has a lot of returning talent and will compete to be one of the top teams in the conference. Owen will be a dark horse, and surprise some teams,” he said.
McEntire predicts a strong season for his talented and “fun to coach” team.
“If we play with great effort, compete on defense and share the basketball, we will have a very successful season, and compete for a conference championship,” he said. “I am very excited about the upcoming season.”
The Wolverines host North Henderson on Tuesday, Dec. 3, welcome Landrum on Friday, Dec. 6 and visit Landrum on Dec. 10. Games begin at 8 p.m.