The 2016-17 Bulldog basketball team includes, front row from left: Nathan Baker, Haden Bradford, Landon Corwin, Aidan Adkison and Tristen Gibson; second row: Logan Burns, Colin Beck, Morgan McBroom, Jacob Wilson, Jett Simmons and Morgan Corwin; third row: Chad Walker, Riley Holmes, Braydon Walker, Gabe Cole and Blaine Bailey; back row: Coach Justin Collins, Dylan Burns, Thomas King, Keaton Collins, Patrick McNickle, and Coach Ryan Beenken.
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Gallatin’s boys team lost four full-time starters to graduation last spring, but unlike the GHS girls, the Bulldogs have fewer returning players with varsity experience.
This year’s Bulldogs will have to make up for a lack of height with quickness, ball-handling and shooting abilities. For the first time in many seasons, the Bulldog roster will be without a true big man in the middle. Last year’s priority was to pound the ball inside to 6’5” center Harris Cameron. This year’s Bulldogs will look for other ways to score. The Bulldogs return one full-time starter and six other players with varsity experience.
Junior Jett Simmons leads the Bulldogs back in 2016-17 as a returning all-conference, honorable mention pick from last season. His shooting and ball-handling skills are critical to the Bulldog success this season. Simmons was the third leading scorer a year ago and led the squad in three-point shooting, free throw shooting and assists.
Senior Chad Walker was a top five scorer last season for the Bulldogs and made a couple of spot starts when Simmons was out of the lineup with a foot injury. Junior Gabe Cole also made a start for the Bulldogs. Junior Colin Beck was one of the first forwards off the bench for then Coach Brent Burke, who moved up to the principal’s position and turned the program over to experienced Coach Justin Collins. Senior Morgan Corwin will also see plenty of playing time this season.
Collins, who played basketball at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, brings three years head coaching experience directly from Princeton High School.
“We will be returning two starters from last year’s team, but we have a good mix of experienced varsity players that will be looking to fill key losses in the post,” Coach Collins remarked. “We will be guard heavy and have a good mix of ball handlers,” he added.
Newcomers this season include junior Logan Burns, sophomores Morgan McBroom and Riley Holmes, along with freshmen Dylan Burns, Tristen Gibson, Nathan Baker, Aiden Adkison, Haden Bradford and Landon Corwin.
“Any player that we have on the floor can be a leading scorer for us on any given night,” Coach Collins said. “I feel we have the opportunity to be competitive with teams in our area,” he added.
The Bulldogs host Pattonsburg next Tuesday in their season opener. The Panthers finished 18-10 and fifth (3-4) last year in HDC Conference standings.
Tourney Outlook
With an overtime win over Trenton, Winston’s boys won their first GIT title in 20 years last December. The Redbirds must replace seniors important to last season’s playoff success, but will build around returning guards Craig Lewis, Jacob Lewis and forward Saxton Pliley, all veterans of post season play.
Trenton lost six seniors from last year’s GIT roster of ten, but the Bulldogs have a knack of finding their way into the tournament final, led by senior Spencer Harris.
Two of the best teams in this year’s field are old Central River Conference rivals.
Braymer returns senior, 6’4” forward Jordan Miller and junior guard Robbie Shoe from last season’s 21-7 team. If that isn’t enough to garner a high seed, 6’6” senior forward Austin Hall returns after missing all of last season with a knee injury. Few teams will match up with the Bobcats in the post.
A strong dark horse contender for this year’s title could be another former member of the CRC. Hardin-Central finished 19-9 last season with a district championship before falling to Winston the Class 1 sectional round. The Bulldogs are led by senior guard Riley Gorham and all-state guard Ryan Layman.
It will be tough for Polo to replace four graduated players from last season’s 10-15 squad. Starters James Fleener and Cole Bartlett return to lead a young team.
Gilman City returns the majority of last season’s team, led by top scorer Cornelius Peery, senior forward Skylar Reynolds and junior point guard Mitchell Sievering.
Seniors filled half of Maysville’s roster spots last season.