Head coach: Nathan West (5th year)
2019-20 record: 9-22
Trinity is going to have to rely on youth this season as Nathan West doesn’t have a senior on his roster as he enters his fifth season at the helm of the Raiders.
West said he’s looking forward to the season as they tip of Wednesday against Owensboro Catholic in the 3rd Region All “A” Classic Tournament.
“I am very optimistic for this season,” he said. “We will be young, and we don’t have as many kids playing as we typically do, but this group is extremely talented and hardworking. I am very excited to see them in game action because they have been working hard.”
Given their young squad, a full summer would have been beneficial for West and the Raiders but with many playing summer basketball on travel teams, West said it’s helped the development of his players.
“As in all other walks of life, COVID has drastically impacted our preparation for the season,” he said. “We played no games this summer and had a few long layoffs at various points of the year, so it was very frustrating at times. We will be very young this year, and we need all of the game experience that we can get! Fortunately, several of my players played AAU this summer, so they were still able to get some experience, and we still were able to lift and work on skills, so it wasn’t all bad.”
Junior guard Landon Huff (8.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg) is the most experienced Raider returning this season.
West said Huff was third and scoring and second in rebounding a year ago as he expects big things from Huff this season.
“Landon is an improving shooter (30% from 3-pt. last season), long, athletic, and a relentless offensive rebounder and defender,” West said. “He has had a break-out summer on the AAU circuit this year, routinely putting up 20+ point/10+ rebound games. He has the length, athleticism, IQ, and motor to be a star in our region, and I think he becomes a ;household’ name this season.”
Junior Bailey Wright will start at center for Trinity this season as his 6-4, 240-pound frame makes him a true post player.
“He possesses a tremendous skill-set for his size,” West said. “He is a great spot-up shooter, and his post game has improved tremendously. He has also worked very hard on his conditioning this summer. Plus, he is the younger brother of former Raider star Cameron Wright, so he possesses good genes.”
West said the Raiders have a “loaded” sophomore class with Denver Dickens and Nathan Hernandez, the son of Lady Raiders coach Emily Hernandez.
Landon Smith, Gavin Howard, Nick Goetz and Nolan Mills will also contribute for Trinity this season.
The Raiders hit the court Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Catholic in the 3rd Region All “A” Classic.
West said it’ll be trial by fire early for his team.
“Our younger players will have to grow up in a hurry,” he said of this season. “We are very talented, but (outside of Landon Huff) we don’t have a lot of varsity experience. However, these guys have all played tons of freshmen and JV games over the last two years, so they are not your typical sophomore athletes. I am very excited to see this group play.”
