Owensboro should be a favorite to repeat as 9th District and 3rd Region boys’ basketball champions, as they return a strong core of players who carried them to the state tournament last season.
The Red Devils won all 17 games against region opponents last year, and they won their final 12 games before falling in the first round of the Sweet 16 to finish the season 23-8.
The biggest question for OHS will be finding someone who can replace point guard Darrion Wimsatt, who was a dynamic playmaker that averaged 19 points per game.
Click here for a downloadable schedule.
The Red Devils also lost much of their long-range offense, as Wimsatt and fellow graduates Aireon Phillips and Adante Greer combined to hit 90 of 129 made 3-pointers by the team last year.
Head coach Rod Drake said finding offensive production and putting back any misses will be important for success this year.
The Red Devils also have to find their footing quickly, as most of their guys also play football. The OHS football season runs at least through Friday’s game, but if they make it all the way to the championship it would overlap the first week of the basketball season.
“The key for this team will be rebounding and shooting the basketball,” he said. “We have a lot of athletes, but eight of our guys are playing football right now.”
Leading the charge this year will be four players who all held major roles last year.
Sophomore Gavin Wimsatt (10.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg) was the biggest inside threat for OHS last season, leading the team in rebounds and finishing second in points per game.
Senior Isaac Humphrey (5.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg) will return to his starting role after starting all 31 games last year. Fellow senior Jaiden Greathouse (9.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg) played big minutes in every game, finishing as the fourth-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder despite coming off the bench.
Junior Amari Wales (10.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg) will be the biggest outside threat, as he knocked down 29 3-pointers last season and finished as the third-leading scorer.
Others expected to step up this season include Reis Dickinson, Tucker Hagan and Matt Brown.
Drake said he expects nothing less than a return to the state tournament.
“Our expectations never change,” he said. “Nothing but a region championship.”
Stay up to date on all your local sports coverage by following @OwensboroSports on Twitter and by liking us on Facebook.
