2010-11 South Harrison Basketball Media Guide

basketballsouth harrison

2010-11

South Harrison

South harriSon

DECEMBEr7 at lincoln 7:30 p.m.9 Clay County* 7:30 p.m.16 Gilmer County* 7:30 p.m.21 braxton County* 7:30 p.m.23 at tygarts Valley 7:30 p.m.27 at lincoln tournament 8:00 p.m.28 at lincoln tournament 8:00 p.m.

JanuarY6 at Clay-battelle 7:30 p.m.11 at Wirt County* 7:30 p.m.13 at braxton County* 7:30 p.m.15 Roane County* 2:00 p.m.18 Calhoun County* 7:30 p.m.20 at Doddridge County* 8:00 p.m.22 at Roane County* 2:00 p.m.27 at Clay County* 7:30 p.m.29 liberty 7:30 p.m.

FEBruarY3 at Calhoun County* 7:30 p.m.5 Wirt County* 7:30 p.m.8 at Gilmer County* 7:30 p.m.17 lkC Placement* 7:30 p.m.19 lincoln 7:30 p.m.22 Doddridge County+ 7:30 p.m.

* - little kanawha Conference Game+ - senior Night

schedule 2010-11

Gainesissac

Contents table of

Coaches2 – Head Coach tom sears6 – assistant Coaches

PlayersRadio Roster – 8

Player Profiles – 92009-10 season Recap – 14

season Preview – 15

history17 – team Records19 – Player Records

schedule 2010-11

GawthroP MEDia GuiDEs | [email protected] & Editing: brian Gawthrop; Printing: Morgantown Printing & bindingspecial thanks: tom sears, Nacole sears

South Harrison head coach Tom Sears has a vision for where he wants to take the Hawk basket-ball program.

He’ll be the first to admit that he often thinks about it and the ways of how he’s going to reach it.

He’ll often catch himself thinking about it and, like an itch he just can’t seem to scratch, he can never rid himself of it.

He has to accomplish the goal of putting South Harrison basketball back among the elite programs in the state. He believes that one day, he will ac-complish it.

Two years have passed since Sears first took over as head coach of the Hawks and he has a 14-28 career record to show for it. The progress that has been made behind the scenes, however, cannot be measured.

Still, Sears expects more.

THE PHILOSOPHYSears had one goal in mind when he took over

as head coach of the Hawks two seasons ago. It didn’t have anything to do with winning percent-age, championships or points scored.

He set out to change a mindset.With just three winning seasons in the last 15

years, Sears knew it wasn’t going to be easy. “South Harrison hadn’t had a winning season

since 2003. It has almost become an expectation and I wanted to change that perspective,” Sears said. “South Harrison can be successful and will be successful – that was what I wanted to instill in the kids from day one. They always thought they could be successful, they just needed somebody to tell them they could.”

According to Sears, his mission was accom-plished, despite the team’s 7-15 final record in his first year.

“People don’t look at a 7-15 record and say ‘oh boy, that’s a strong season.’” Sears said. “But people involved in the program saw a different basketball team last year. There was a different energy in the gym and there was a different passion in the players.”

An assistant coach from 2000-to-2008, Sears didn’t find out he would become the head coach of the program until Nov. 17, 2008 – the first day of practice prior to the 2008-09 season. He arrived to practice only to find out the team was without a head coach. Shortly thereafter, the administration gave Sears the position he’s always wanted.

“I was brought in and the administration said ‘can you do this?’ I said absolutely. I was just hand-

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ed a high school basketball program,” Sears said. “I wasn’t prepared at all. I remember scrambling on what to do and how I should run practice.

“There’s no way I was going to pass it up, though.”

Sears became involved in youth basketball immediately after graduating in 1997.

In fact, his impact is still felt today. Fresh out of senior season with the Hawks

in which he scored 150 points and averaged 6.8 points-per-game, the head coach created a basketball league in association with Harrison County Parks and Recreation for high school players who didn’t make their respective high school teams.

To do so, Sears made over 200 phone calls within a two-day period to jump start the league, which is still in existence today.

PASTORING TO PERFECTIONAlong with entering his 11th season with the

South Harrison High School basketball program, Sears is also heading into his 11th year as a pastor and his fourth year at New Beginnings Church in Good Hope, W.Va.

Sears began preaching as an associate pastor at his grandfather’s church before founding his own church in Jane Lew.

One year later, the newly-founded church merged with New Beginnings, where Sears has been ever since.

It’s no coincidence his two loves have multiple similarities.

“It’s just like coaching high school basketball, to a point. You have to coach people in church and you have to motivate them. They have to believe in you as a pastor, just like players need to believe in you if you want to succeed,” Sears said. “At either sports or the Christian faith, if you don’t work, you’re not going to be good at it.”

Sears admits that he never has, or never will, invited a player to church – he lets them decide for themselves.

In his first season as head coach, his players did just that.

One January morning, Sears walked up to his podium, looked to his right to see the front row filled with basketball players.

“What a moment that was. It was very special to me,” Sears said. “Right then, I knew that despite our record, I had to be doing something right.

“They told me they wanted to show they’re gratitude to me. It showed me that I’m not just their coach.”

It was the least the players could do to repay their first-year head coach. The church atten-dance continued throughout the season and still continues today.

“Whenever I need help, he’s always there. He helps me through a lot of situations outside of basketball,” said senior D.J. Atha. “He’s just a really good guy that I know I can always depend on.”

That trust has been something the third-year head coach has taken pride in throughout his coaching career and a foundation of what he says makes a successful coach.

“I think the players have faith in me and I

definitely have faith in my players. It’s crucial to have a coach that you want to play for and if you don’t, you won’t. I think they want to play for me,” Sears said. “The relationship I have with my players doesn’t end when they graduate and that’s special to me. To me, basketball is not life, but there’s a lot of life lessons that can be learned through basketball.

“My job as a coach is leading those players to those life lessons effectively.”

“FULL-TIME EVERYTHING”Due to WVSSAC rules, Sears continually has to

reapply for the head coaching position because he does not hold a teaching degree. Yet.

The third-year head coach is currently a full-time student working on earning his degree to secure the head coaching job.

The schooling certainly doesn’t make life any easier for Sears. Along with pastoring, he also filled for the late Ron “Fish” Fisher as Hawk football’s public address announcer in 2010.

He’s a husband to his wife Nacole and a father to three children – Breanna (11), Faith (3) and Tommy (9), who can almost always be found alongside his father and among the players on the South Harrison bench.

“I’m pretty much a full-time everything,” he said. “But I’m grateful. I’m grateful for the op-portunity for my third year to coach, I’m grateful to the administration, to [SHHS Athletic Director] Coach Jett and to the parents who entrust me with their kids.

“I love every former player who continues to support the program and I’m thankful for all of the things I’ve learned.

“We’ve may have only had one team go to Charleston in this school’s existence. But I hope I am able to stay the head coach long enough for that to change.”

The coach admits that as long as he has the opportunity to coach at his alma mater, he will never roam the sidelines of another basketball program.

“[Former South Harrison head football coach] Gary Barnette stopped me one day and said, ‘there’s something about you...Orange and Black will always flow through your viens,’” Sears recalled. “He was right.

“Hawk pride means everything to me. There’s such a sense of family and community out here that I think some of the bigger schools are start-ing to lose. It’s all about Hawk Pride.”

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what thEY’rE saying

“I don’t have much good to say about my basket-ball career, but anything that I do have good to say has something to do with Coach sears .”

— assistant coach Zach Hayhurst

“He helps me through a lot of situations outside of basketball. Whenever I need help, he’s always there. He’s just a really good guy that I know I

can depend on.”— former player D.J. atha

“Having Coach sears step in for us last year was definitely the best thing that could have hap-

pened. He was there for us on and off the court no matter what happened. He taught us about

the game of basketball, but more importantly he taught us about life. I really envy the younger

guys that get to play for him longer than I did. It was without a doubt the most fun I’ve had playing

basketball and I thank Coach sears for that. — former player kris Fridley

“all of us know that he cares about us as people and not just players. that makes us want to work that much harder for him. We know he has our

best interests in his heart.”— former player Dustin Matheny

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“ We don’t realize how sheltered we are in america. I’ve very proactive – I don’t like just talking about mak-ing things better. I want to make a difference. I want my life to mean something.”

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tom sears’ 2010 trip to india – his “second home”

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25,000dollars spent

8,700miles traveled

sears made his fourth consecutive trip to India in June where for spoke at 6-to-8 different villages a day for two straight weeks in 120-degree heat. “I go there to reach people who are hurting, who are broken, and who are forgotten,” he said. “It’s more than just the Christian faith. I just try to give love.” sears also raised enough money to build a church in secundrabad, In-dia for a leper’s Colony – people stricken with leprosy who are considered outcasts and inferior within the community. Next year when he returns, he has organized for a basketball camp to be held – the first of its kind for the area.

1world

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1,600people fed

indiaCall to

tom sears’ 2010 trip to india – his “second home”

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Fassistant CoaChEs


Coleman enters his fourth season on the south Harrison basketball coaching staff. It is one of five sports the 1981 graduate of south Harrison High school has on his coaching resume.

Coleman has also served as the head coach for the sHHs boys track and volleyball teams while he has also coached the south Harrison Middle school girls track team.

Coleman also volunteers with the Hawk football team and as previously been the athletic boosters President for the school. He has also been a leader for the Rockford Rockets 4-H Club for the past 21 years.

Coleman resides in lost Creek with wife Marilyn of 25 years and children brad (24) and Rachel (21).

Coleman stanley

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tPosition: assistant CoachYear: 4thhigh school: south Harrison (1981)

a 2006 graduate of south Harrison High school and a three-year point guard for the Hawks’ bas-ketball program, Hayhurst enters his third season with head coach tom sears.

Hayhurst finished his playing career with 216 career points and finished seventh all-time in south Harrison history with 39 career 3-pointers made, including making 25 in his senior season.

Hayhurst is also an assistant coach for the Hawks’ football program under head coach brad Jett where he has served as the quarterbacks and the secondary coach the past two seasons. He fin-ished his gridiron career as a four-year standout where he earned first-team all-Class A honors and helped lead the Hawks to a Class-A semifinal appearance in 2005.

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Position: assistant CoachYear: 3rdhigh school: south Harrison (2006)

Knight begins his first season with the South Har-rison basketball program, where he becomes head coach tom sears’ third assistant coach. knight is currently employed by the Clarks-burg Mission and also serves as the color an-

nouncer for the south Harrison football program’s gameday broadcast. knight is a graduate of liberty High school in Clarksburg, WV. He is married to wife sarah, and is the father of two children, elijah and bethany.

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Position: assistant CoachYear: 1sthigh school: liberty

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Coleman enters his fourth season on the south Harrison basketball coaching staff. It is one of five sports the 1981 graduate of south Harrison High school has on his coaching resume.

Coleman has also served as the head coach for the sHHs boys track and volleyball teams while he has also coached the south Harrison Middle school girls track team.

Coleman also volunteers with the Hawk football team and as previously been the athletic boosters President for the school. He has also been a leader for the Rockford Rockets 4-H Club for the past 21 years.

Coleman resides in lost Creek with wife Marilyn of 25 years and children brad (24) and Rachel (21).

Coleman stanley

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Position: assistant CoachYear: 4thhigh school: south Harrison (1981)

a 2006 graduate of south Harrison High school and a three-year point guard for the Hawks’ bas-ketball program, Hayhurst enters his third season with head coach tom sears.

Hayhurst finished his playing career with 216 career points and finished seventh all-time in south Harrison history with 39 career 3-pointers made, including making 25 in his senior season.

Hayhurst is also an assistant coach for the Hawks’ football program under head coach brad Jett where he has served as the quarterbacks and the secondary coach the past two seasons. He fin-ished his gridiron career as a four-year standout where he earned first-team all-Class A honors and helped lead the Hawks to a Class-A semifinal appearance in 2005.

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Position: assistant CoachYear: 3rdhigh school: south Harrison (2006)

Knight begins his first season with the South Har-rison basketball program, where he becomes head coach tom sears’ third assistant coach. knight is currently employed by the Clarks-burg Mission and also serves as the color an-

nouncer for the south Harrison football program’s gameday broadcast. knight is a graduate of liberty High school in Clarksburg, WV. He is married to wife sarah, and is the father of two children, elijah and bethany.

knightDanny

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Position: assistant CoachYear: 1sthigh school: liberty

Position: ManagerYear: 1sthigh school: south Harrison (2011)

The 2010-11 season will be assistant coach Chris Richards’ second year as an assistant coach for the South Harrison basketball program. A 1989 graduate of South Harrison High School, Richards previously helped the Hawks during the alloted three-week summer training session before earning a position on the full-time staff prior to the 2009-10 season.

After lettering two years at South Harrison High School in baseball, Richards was a two-year second baseman at West Virginia Tech from 1990 through 1991. He was also a member of the Hawks’ track and basketball teams. Richards is currently a full-time baseball umpire where he umpires high school baseball along with offseason collegiate wooden bat leagues.

richards Chris

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Wright enters his second season on the south Har-rison basketball coaching staff as a manager. Wright is currently a senior at south Harrison High school.

wrighttravis

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Denny ChamberlainJunior11

Gaige Evanssophomore12 Jesse anderson

sophomore14 tyler hallsophomore20 issac Gaines

senior22 logan kirbysophomore24

Dakota Evanssophomore30

Cory Messenger Freshman2

lance Bork senior32

Jacob stroupe Junior3

Brandon hattonJunior34

Chris Broadwater senior4

luke Gainessophomore40

Bart harrissenior10

Chadd Chippssenior

PlaYErssEniors


Chris BroaDwatErsenior | forward | 6-foot-34

Called the ‘bruiser’ of team by head coach tom sears because of strength under the basket...committed, four-year player for the Hawks, one of only two current seniors to play all four seasons...third tallest player on team at 6-foot-3...member of south Harrison National Honor Society...field commander and drum major for the south Harrison marching band in 2010.

issaC GainEssenior | center | 6-foot-622

leading returning scorer (5.1 ppg), rebounder (7.4 rpg), and steals (1.2 spg) leader from 2009-10 season...one of two returning starters from last season...needs 42 games to become school’s all-time leader in games played...183 career points scored...member of south Harrison National Honor society and student Council...also member of Hawk soccer and track teams.

lanCE Borksenior | forward | 6-foot-444

High expectations from head coach tom sears entering senior season...called one of team’s “biggest success stories”...projected starter after seeing action in 17 games last season in limited varsity action...did not play during sophomore season, opting to join south Harrison swim team...past member of sHHs cross country member.

Bart harrissenior | guard | 6-foot-310

Described as one of best pure offensive players head coach tom sears has coached...projected starter at either point guard or shooting guard...relies on speed and ball handling...will create matchup problems all the perimeter for opponents due to 6-foot-3 height...member of south Harrison Pep Club...also member of Hawk soccer team and golf team.

ChaDD ChiPPssenior | guard | 5-foot-9Returns to team after sitting out junior season...three-year letterman for south Harrison baseball team as second base-man where he earned a starting role as a junior...two-year member of south Harrison golf team during sophomore and junior seasons...brother Craig (2009) played under head coach tom sears during 2008-09 season.

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DEnnY ChaMBErlainjunior | forward | 6-foot11

always does things right on the court, according to head coach tom sears...appeared in 15 games in 2009-10 season...scored field goals in wins over Clay County Clay-battelle...third year with team...two-year member of south Harrison baseball team as first baseman under head coach Frank tate...two-year member of sHHs golf team under head coach Jeff Richards.

BranDon hattonjunior | forward | 6-foot34

One of team’s hardest workers...third season with Hawk basketball program...three-year member of south Harrison baseball team under head coach Frank tate...played golf under head coach Jeff Richards last two seasons, qualifying for the West Virginia state tournament as a ju-nior...junior class officer...member of SHHS key Club, Pep Club, and student Council.

JaCoB strouPEjunior | guard | 5-foot-93

enters third season with Hawk basketball program...biggest adjustment will be containing speed and football mentality, according to head coach tom sears...2010 all-Harrison County running back after 1,306-yard season for the Hawks...finished 9th in the state with 21 touchdowns, 10th in the state with 128 points scored...member of Hawk baseball team as freshman.

PlaYErssoPhoMorEs


JEssE anDErsonsophomore | guard | 5-foot-1114

strong shooter with a lot of potential, ac-cording to head coach tom sears...second season with Hawk basketball program...will start season with varsity after not seeing varsity action as a freshman...member of Hawk soccer, cross country, and track teams...member of south Harrison student Council...previous member of Hawk march-ing band.

tYlEr hallsophomore | guard | 5-foot-1020

a player head coach tom sears said he’s “very excited” about at point guard...has made strong strides in ball handling and decision making...did not see varsity action as freshman...also member of sHHs baseball team where became first fresh-man in program history to earn first-team all-Harrison County honors...hit most home runs by a freshman in school history (4).

Dakota Evanssophomore | forward | 6-foot44

begins second season with south Harrison basketball program...will start season with varsity club, despite not seeing varsity action as freshman last year...two-year member of Hawk football team under head coach brad Jett as safety and tight end.

lukE GainEssophomore | forward | 6-foot-422

One of team’s most versatile players, according to head coach tom sears...second year in south Harrison basketball program...did not see varsity action as freshman...younger brother of senior center Issac Gaines...member of south Har-rison show choir.

GaiGE Evanssophomore | guard | 6-foot44

a “tremendous natural shooter,” accord-ing to head coach tom sears...started at varsity level in every game of high school career...scored career high 18 points in loss at Roane County...scored first career points in 55-35 loss at lincoln...ended with 43 rebounds and 21 steals...member of sHHs baseball team where started every game as a freshman.

loGan kirBYsophomore | forward | 6-foot-324

Projected starter after seeing action in all 20 games last season...scored 14 points and ended with 74 rebounds off the bench...scored first career points in 76-32 loss at braxton County...older brother Dakota played under head coach tom sears from 2006-09 as forward...two-year member of south Harrison golf team...also member of sHHs student Council.

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Matt CurrEY freshman | guard | 5-foot-11Begins first season with South Harrison basketball program...will start season on junior varsity level...also member of south Harrison’s Gear-Up program.

CorY MEssEnGErfreshman | guard | 5-foot-9Begins first season with head coach Tom sears and south Harrison basketball program...also member of Hawk football team under head coach brad Jett as a quarterback and safety.

huntEr hittfreshman | forward | 6-footOne of three freshman forwards on south Harrison roster...played tight end and defensive end for Hawk football program under head coach brad Jett as freshman.

DYlan JEFFEriEsfreshman | forward | 5-foot-7Will start season on junior varsity level...played end and linebacker for head coach brad Jett and south Harrison football program.

DYlan sMith freshman | guard | 5-foot-10Enters first season with South Harrison basketball program...will start season on junior varsity level...played no fall sports for the Hawks as a freshman.

CoDY wriGhtfreshman | forward | 5-foot-11Enters first season with South Harrison basketball program...will start season on junior varsity level...played no fall sports for the Hawks as a freshman.

Gainesissac

PlaYErsFrEshMEn


DYlan sMith freshman | guard | 5-foot-10Enters first season with South Harrison basketball program...will start season on junior varsity level...played no fall sports for the Hawks as a freshman.

CoDY wriGhtfreshman | forward | 5-foot-11Enters first season with South Harrison basketball program...will start season on junior varsity level...played no fall sports for the Hawks as a freshman.

MalaChi MoorEfreshman | forward | 5-foot-10Enters first season with South Harrison basketball program...will start season on junior varsity level...played no fall sports for the Hawks as a freshman.

Gainesissac

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YEar in rEviEw


2009-10 rEsultsDeCeMbeR11 - at Clay County W 54-4516 - at lincoln l 55-3518 - at Gilmer County l 50-4923 - at braxton County l 76-3228 - vs. North Marion l 57-3729 - at lincoln l 52-40

JaNUaRY13 - Wirt County l 53-4915 - braxton County l 47-3119 - at Calhoun County l 60-56XX - Roane County W 60-51XX - tygarts Valley W 47-3129 - Clay County W 64-44

FebRUaRY13 - Calhoun County l 57-5119 - at Wirt County l 40-3222 - at tygarts Valley W 40-3026 - liberty l 66-5327 - Clay-battelle W 64-38

MaRCH2 - at trinity l 64-33

statistiCsPOINts-PeR-GaMe1. Jesse swiger 11.52. Dustin Matheny 10.43. Issac Gaines 5.14. Dakota kirby 3.85. D.J. atha 3.5

RebOUNDs1. Issac Gaines 1472. Dakota kirby 973. D.J. atha 844. logan kirby 745. andy Merrill 62

assIsts1. Dakota kirby 532. Dustin Matheny 463. Jesse swiger 304. troy Devericks 115. Zack Merancio 10

steals1. Jesse swiger 352. Dustin Matheny 313. Issac Gaines 254. Gaige evans 215. troy Devericks 14

review2009 2010

to say the 2009-10 squad didn’t meet their expec-tations would be realistic. The Hawks finished 7-13 overall a season ago, and fell short of their goal of attaining a sec-tional championship after falling to eventual state tournament contender trinity in the sectional semifinals. but to say the group didn’t take the south Harrison basketball program in the right direction wouldn’t be right. “We started out on the wrong foot,” said head coach tom sears. “but we took a huge, huge step in the right direction and we’re seeing that progress this year.” after starting the season win a win over Clay County, the Hawks lost eight straight and were faced with a disappointing 1-8 record in January. But SH finished the season 6-6 including three consecutive wins over Roane County, tygarts Valley and Clay County.Meanwhile, three of sH’s losses came by less four points. the Hawks also hosted a first-round sectional game, which they won 64-38 over Clay-battelle. The strong finish only proved that nothing more than inexperience kept south Harrison from a double-digit win season. Despite having eight

seniors on the roster, only three entered the season with varsity experience. “We really had a lot of excitement going into last season. We really thought we’d be one of the top programs in both our conference and our section,” sears said. “but I think everyone took our inexperience for granted and just assumed we’d be able to find success right from the beginning. “It was a great group of kids, but inexperience clearly played a role.” Midway through the season, however, the team was inexperienced no more, despite multiple freshmen such as guard Gaige evans and forward logan kirby seeing increased playing time. evans started every game as a freshman while kirby played in every varsity game. led by the outside scoring of seniors Jesse Swiger and Dustin Matheny, the Hawks finished their season strong while rebuilding for the future in the process. the backcourt pair combined to average 21.9 points-per-game. “We got refocused and kept getting better,” sears said. “One year later, we’re a lot younger but we’re probably more experienced than we were a season ago, just from growing through those growing pains.”

PlaYErsa look ahEaD


outlook2010 2011 2010-11 sChEDulEDeCeMbeR7 - at lincoln 7:30 p.m.9 - Clay County 7:30 p.m.16 - Gilmer County 7:30 p.m.21 - braxton County 7:30 p.m.23 - at tygarts Valley 7:30 p.m.27 - at linc. tournament 8:00 p.m.28 - at linc. tournament 8:00 p.m.

JaNUaRY6 - at Clay-battelle 7:30 p.m.11 - at Wirt County 7:30 p.m.13 - at braxton County 7:30 p.m.15 - Roane County 2:00 p.m.18 - Calhoun County 7:30 p.m.20 - at Doddridge County 8:00 p.m.22 - at Roane County 2:00 p.m.27 - at Clay County 7:30 p.m.29 - liberty 7:30 p.m.

FebRUaRY3 - at Calhoun County 7:30 p.m.5 - Wirt County 7:30 p.m.8 - at Gilmer County 7:30 p.m.17 - lkC Placement 7:30 p.m.19 - lincoln 7:30 p.m.22 - Doddridge County 7:30 p.m.

PlaYErsRetURNING letteRMeN - 9lance bork (sr.), Chris broadwater (sr.), Denny Chamberlain (jr.), Gaige evans (soph.), Issac Gaines (sr.), tyler Hall (soph.), bart Harris (sr.), logan kirby (soph.), Jacob stroupe (jr.)

letteRMeN lOst - 8D.J. atha, troy Devericks, Dakota kirby, Der-rick Matheny, Dustin Matheny, Zack Merancioandy Merrill, Jesse swiger

RetURNING staRteRs - 3Issac Gaines (sr.), Gaige evans (soph.), logan kirby (soph.)

rEturninG statistiCsPOINts-PeR-GaMe - 187leader: Issac Gaines (5.1 ppg)

RebOUNDs - 263leader: Issac Gaines (7.4 ppg)

steals - 46leader: Issac Gaines (1.2 spg)

“taking big steps in where we’re trying to go.” that’s how south Harrison head coach tom sears described what he expects out of the 2010-11 season. Despite just returning two starters from last season’s 7-13 team, sears is wanting a “turning season” and expects to have one of the most talented starting lineups in the little kanawha Conference, a league in which the Hawks finished 4-6 in a season ago. With only five seniors and only two who have been in the program all four years, south Harrison will once again have to battle youth and will likely feature four underclassmen in the top seven of its lineup. but sears is hoping the difference between youth and inexperience shows itself this season. All five projected starters saw time in every varsity game a season ago. the Hawks lost two starters and eight letterman, but return nine letterman from a season ago. “You play to win the sectional championship every year,” sears said. “We hosted a sectional game last year. I told the kids, if we do better than that, we achieved. We can’t go below that. “We’re working on setting a standard here.

this is year three, and this has to be the turning year for the program. We’re starting to see the things we’ve implemented take effect.” sears said the team will play similar to last year by depending heavily on its speed, but will just rely on different players offensively to carry the weight. “We’re tall and we have a lot of speed, so we’re going to put ourselves in position to advan-tage advantage of that,” he said. “We’re going to run the floor, play aggressive, and probably work from the inside-out. “We’re going to pride ourselves on our defense, but in order to win, we’re going to have to put the ball in the hole.”

Centertwo-year starter issac Gaines will return for one final season with the program. Gaines returns as the team’s leading returning scorer, rebounder, and steals leader from last season. The 6-foot-6 senior finished last season averaging 5.1 points-per-game, 7.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals in his second year at the

i. Gaines

varsity level. If south Harrison wants to take strides this season, sears said Gaines will play a large factor in that success. “there’s no question that a lot of the weight rests on Issac’s shoulders,” sears said. “He’s going to be huge for us. If he’s going to do it, this is his year. “We’re going to get him touches and give him the opportunity to lead us.” Gaines will be leading one of the tall-est lineups sears can remember with four projected starters over 6-foot-3. If such a situ-ation calls, sears could have an entire lineup over 6-foot-3. While players such as fellow starter lance Bork can slide over and play center when Gaines needs to head to the bench, the more likely candidate to fill in for Gaines is his younger brother, sophomore luke Gaines. at 6-foot-4, sears said the sophomore is one of the more versatile players the Hawks have this season. luke will likely be south Har-rison’s first man off the bench this season. “He’s really solid in the post. He can play almost any position in the paint we need him to,” sears said.

Forwardafter playing mainly as a backcourt team a season ago with 26.1 points-per-game coming from the guard position, south Harrison’s strength will shift to the post this season, especially at the forward spot. that’s where bork and sophomore logan kirby will get the starting nod after seeing time in a combined 27 games a season ago. the 2010 season will be Bork’s first complete season at the varsity level. “as the freshman, he sat at the end of the bench. He could have gave up,” sears said. “but he’s put a lot of work in, has improved and now he’s going to start. He’s a great success story. We’re expecting big things from lance.” kirby, the younger brother of 2010 gradu-ate Dakota, will be taking over his brother’s role year at small forward. kirby was one of two freshmen who saw action in every varsity game a year ago, scoring 14 points and ending

with 74 rebounds off the bench. “He’s so young, but so talented,” sears said. “big things are in store over the next couple of years, especially for this sophomore class, and logan is one of those reasons.” The Hawks also have five forwards on the bench who sears said he isn’t afraid to turn to at anytime. the group is led by luke Gaines, but also features senior Chris Broadwater, sophomore Dakota Evans and juniors Denny Chamberlain and Brandon hatton – two players that sears is especially hoping to step up due to the team’s depth issues at other positions. “We’re asking (the junior class), and literally begging them, to step up,” sears said. “they have that experience and can help us.” GuarDWhile sears has eight players who he can call upon for quality minutes in the paint, the third-year head coach has the opposite problem in the backcourt where the open-ing day varsity roster will have just five guards on the roster, including Gaige Evans who will miss at least the first two weeks of the season after suffering a left shoulder injury in the team’s third practice of the preseason. “We’re going to need them all to play a lot of minutes and be productive for us,” sears said. “Offensively, we’re going to try to put the ball inside because that’s our strength. but at the same time, we need to be able to spread teams out and get to the basket or shoot the three.” Until evans’ return, much of that weight will be put on the shoulders of senior Bart harris, who will be starting in only his second season of high school basketball and may be the best kept secret in Har-rison County. at 6-foot-4, sears said Harris’ height will create “major matchup problems” for opponents throughout the season. sears compares to Harris’ size and ability to former south Harrison standout Corey Devericks who finished as the school’s all-time leader in three-pointers made (73) and fourth in career scoring with 618 points.

“In my mind, bart has the potential to be an all-state caliber player,” sears said. “He has a natural quick step that you just can’t teach. He has that ability to just blow right by defend-ers. “He may be the best offensive player I’ve ever coached, and I’ve been here 12 years.” Harris will mainly see time at shooting guard, but could play point guard in the absence of evans. Until his return, sophomore tyler hall will start at the point to begin the season. Despite not seeing any action at the var-sity level a season ago, sears said Hall is one of the up-and-coming players he is most excited about entering the season. “tyler’s still a work in progress, but he has come a long way in just one year,” sears said. “His ball handling and decision making has improved so much. He’s a great learner and very quick and aggressive on the court, which is what makes him a good player.” evans is projected to return sometime before or shortly after the Christmas holiday. His return will be crucial for the Hawks as evans is the only freshman who started every game on the varsity level a season ago. Evans finished with 47 points a season ago including scoring a career-high 18 points in a loss at Roane County and hitting three 3-pointers in the Hawks’ season-ending loss in the sectional semifinal against Trinity. The point guard also finished with 43 rebounds and 21 steals. “Gaige is one of the best scorers we have, so his return will definitely relieve some of the pressure off bart and tyler, who are both still growing into becoming a point guard,” sears said. Jacob stroupe and sophomore Jesse anderson will also see time in the backcourt. stroupe, a junior, was an all-Harrison County running back for the Hawks’ football team while anderson will be participating in his third sport of the year after also being a member on the Hawks’ cross county and soccer teams. “With all the injuries we have had in the preseason, we definitely have depth issues,” sears said. “but once we get everyone healthy, we should be eight or nine men deep and have one of the most talented lineups in the lkC.”

PlaY

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rECorDstEaM rECorDs


recordsteam

Due to lack of availability, the following statis-tics excludes the 1995-96, 2000-02, 2003-04, 2006-10 seasons as well as any seaoson prior to 1992.

GaME rECorDsPoints 1. Clay-battelle, 1998-99 912. at Clay-battelle, 1993-94 903. vs. Valley Wetzel, 2002-03 87t-4. liberty, 1999-2000 84t-4. Coalton, 1992-93 84t-4. at tucker County, 1994-95 847. at Hundred, 2002-03 838. tygarts Valley, 2002-03 81

Most Points allowED1. at liberty, 1997-98 1022. Clay-battelle, 1993-94 993. at tucker County, 1993-94 924. at liberty, 1996-97 86t-5. W.I., 1993-94 84t-5. Clay-battelle, 1994-95 847. at tucker County, 1996-97 838. Grafton, 1997-98 83

lEast Points allowED1. vs. liberty, 2005-06 292. at tygarts valley, 2009-10 303. vs. tygarts valley, 2009-10 31t-3. at Hundred, 2004-05 31t-5. at liberty, 1997-98 34t-5. vs. tygarts Valley, 2005-06 346. at Gilmer County, 1998-99 35t-7. at Philip barbour, 1995-96 36t-7. at Robert C. byrd, 1997-98 36t-7. at Clay-battelle, 2002-03 36t-7. liberty, 2001-02 36t-7. tygarts Valley, 2004-05 36

FiElD Goals MaDE1. at Gilmer County, 1998-99 342. at Clay-battelle, 1992-93 333. at Clay-battelle, 1998-99 32

t-4. at Grafton, 1992-93 31t-4. vs. bridgeport, 1995-96 31t-6. Coalton, 1992-93 30t-6. at lewis County, 1993-94 30t-6. tygarts Valley, 2002-03 30

thrEE-PointErs MaDEt-1. at Valley Wetzel, 2004-05 10t-1. Notre Dame, 2004-05 10t-3. Roane County, 2009-10 8t-3. at bridgeport, 1996-97 8t-3. Grafton, 2002-03 8t-3. liberty, 2002-03 8t-3. at lincoln, 2004-05 8t-7. at Preston County, 1992-93 7t-7. at Gilmer County, 1998-99 7t-7. Philip barbour, 1998-99 7t-7. at Notre Dame, 2002-03 7

FrEE-throw PErCEntaGE (Min. 20 att.)1. at Philip barbour, 1999-00 85.00%2. at tucker County, 1994-95 83.33%3. braxton County, 2007-08 81.82%4. vs. Grafton, 1999-2000 80.00%5. at liberty, 2004-05 79.31%6. at bridgeport, 1994-95 79.17%7. Grafton, 1993-94 78.79%t-8. vs. lewis County, 1999-00 78.57%t-8. bridgeport, 2002-03 78.57%

FrEE-throws MaDEt-1. liberty, 2008-09 26t-1. at W.I., 1993-94 26t-1. Grafton, 1993-94 264. vs. lewis County, 1994-95 25t-5. at liberty, 1999-2000 24t-5. at lincoln, 1992-93 247. at Grafton, 1996-97 248. vs. bridgeport, 1995-96 22t-8. vs. Clay County, 2009-10 22

First halF Points1. vs. Valley Wetzel, 2002-0 552. Clay-battelle, 1998-99 543. at Hundred, 2002-03 474. at Clay-battelle, 1992-93 455. Philip barbour, 1994-95 44t-6. at Notre Dame, 1993-94 41t-6. Clay-battelle, 1994-95 41t-8. liberty, 2002-03 40t-8. at Grafton, 1998-99 40t-8. liberty, 1999-2000 40

t-8. at Notre Dame, 2002-03 40

First QuartEr Points1. Clay-battelle, 1998-99 332. vs. Valley Wetzel, 2002-03 303. at Notre Dame, 1993-94 28t-4. Clay-battelle, 1999-2000 24t-4. at Clay-battelle, 1992-93 24t-6. Notre Dame, 1999-2000 23t-6. Grafton, 1992-93 23t-6. at Notre Dame, 2003-04 23 sEConD QuartEr Points1. at Hundred, 2002-03 302. at Clay-battelle, 1992-93 273. Philip barbour, 1994-95 26t-4. Grafton, 1997-98 25t-4. at Grafton, 1999-2000 25t-4. vs. Valley Wetzel, 2002-03 25t-7. lincoln, 1992-93 23t-7. Coalton, 1992-93 23t-7. at Grafton, 1993-94 23t-7. Clay-battelle, 1994-95 23t-7. at lincoln, 1999-2000 23

thirD QuartEr Points1. Coalton, 1992-93 282. at Philip barbour, 1994-95 273. Clay-battelle, 1998-99 254. at tucker County, 1994-95 24t-5. at Grafton, 1992-93 23t-5. at Clay-battelle, 1992-93 23t-5. lincoln, 1993, 94 23t-5. vs. lincoln, 1996-97 23t-5. at Notre Dame, 1999-2000 23t-5. lewis County, 1999-2000 23t-5. Notre Dame, 2002-03 23

Fourth QuartEr Points1. Grafton, 1993-94 392. vs. bridgeport, 1995-96 35t-3. at liberty, 1993-94 31t-3. Notre Dame, 2004-05 315. at tucker County, 1994-95 296. at liberty, 1999-2000 27t-7. at lewis County, 1993-94 26t-7. tygarts Valley, 2002-03 26

sEason rECorDswinst-1. 1998-99 15t-1. 2002-03 153. 1999-00 14

lossEs1. 1996-97 212. 2005-06 19t-3. 1994-95 17t-3. 1997-98 17t-3. 2004-05 17

winninG PErCEntaGE1. 2003-03 78.9%2. 1999-00 63.6%3. 1998-99 60.0%

ConsECutivE wins1. 1999-2000 8t-2. 1998-99 6t-2. 2002-03 6 ConsECutivE lossEs1. 1996-97 182. 1994-95 8t-2. 2009-10 8

Points sCorED1. 1998-99 15162. 1999-2000 13443. 1992-93 1331

Points sCorED-PEr-GaME1. 1999-2000 61.12. 1998-99 60.63. 1993-94 58.9

lEast Points allowED1. 2002-03 9192. 2009-10 9972. 1999-2000 1205

Points allowED-PEr-GaME1. 2002-03 41.82. 2009-10 49.82. 2008-09 50.6

rECo

rDs

tEaM rECorDs


rE-inDiviDual rECorDs


recordsindividual

Due to lack of availability, the following statistics excludes the 1995-96, 2000-02, 2003-04, 2006-10 seasons as well as any season prior to 1992.

GaME rECorDsPoints1. Mitch Gould, 1999 vs. lewis Co. 392. adam Davisson, 1997 vs. liberty 32 Danny Messenger, 1994 at lewis Co. 324. adam Davisson, 1997 at liberty 31 Josh toothman, 1993 vs. lincoln 316. Davey Wriston, 2009 vs. liberty 30 Jason Conrad, 2009 at Grafton 308. Davey Wriston, 2009 at Roane Co. 29 Danny Messenger, 1994 vs. Grafton 2910. Josh toothman, 1993 at Doddridge 28 Mitch Gould, 2000 at liberty 28 Mitch Gould, 2000 vs. bridgeport 28 adam Davisson, 1997 at Grafton 28 Joe Fenstermacher, 1994 vs. C. battelle 28

thrEE-PointErs1. adam Davisson, 1997 at liberty 6 adam Davisson, 1997 vs. liberty 6 adam Davisson, 1997 at Robert C. byrd 6 Ronnie Welch, 1998 vs. Grafton 6 Cory Morrison, 2005 vs. Notre Dame 6 Josh toothman, 1993 at Preston Co. 67. Cory Morrison, 2004 at Valley Wetzel 5 Jesse swiger, 2010 vs. Clay County 5 Ronnie Welch, 1998 vs. bridgeport 5 Jason Wilson, 1998 vs. Clay-battelle 510. Nine tied with 4

FrEE-throws MaDE1. Davey Wriston, 2009 vs. liberty 182. Cory Morrison, 2006 at Clay-battelle 143. Dustin Matheny, 2009 vs. Doddridge Co. 12t-3. Jesse swiger, 2010 vs. Clay County 125. Dustin Matheny, 2010 vs. Calhoun County 116. Davey Wriston, 2008 vs. liberty 11 Mitch Gould, 1999 vs. lewis Co. 11 Corey Devericks, 1999 vs. liberty 11

7. Davey Wriston, 2009 vs. Roane Co. 10 Josh toothman, 1993 vs. lincoln 10

FrEE-throw PErCEntaGE(Min. 10 attEMPts)1. Corey Devericks, 1999 vs. liberty 100% 2. Cory Morrison, 2006 at Clay-battelle 93.3% 3. Mitch Gould, 1999 vs. lewis Co. 91.6%4. timmy swiger, 2002 vs. Valley Wetzel 90%t-4. Josh toothman, 1993 vs. liberty 90%t-4. Matt Van Horn, 2005 vs. Valley Wetzel 90%t-4. Danny Messenger, 1994 at lewis Co. 90%8. Dustin Matheny, 2009 vs. Doddridge 85.7% Jesse swiger, 2010 vs. Clay County 85.7%

9. timmy swiger, 2002 vs. lincoln 80% t-9. ty Garcia, 2003 vs. liberty 80%t-9. Jerred Novotny, 2000 at Grafton 80%t-9. Jerred Novotny, 2000 vs. Grafton 80%

sEason rECorDsPoints1. Josh toothman, 1992-93 4552. adam Davisson, 1996-97 4443. Mitch Gould, 1999-2000 4324. luke Riley, 1998-99 3915. Corey Devericks, 1998-99 3656. Jerred Novotny, 1999-2000 3647. Joe Fenstermacher, 1993-94 337

wristondavey

8. Joe Fenstermacher, 1994-95 3269. Davey Wriston, 2008-09 32310. Danny Messenger, 1993-94 304

Points-PEr-GaME1. adam Davisson, 1996-97 20.22. Josh toothman, 1992-93 19.83. Mitch Gould, 1999-2000 19.64. Jerred Novotny, 1999-2000 16.55. luke Riley, 1997-98 16.16. luke Riley, 1998-99 15.67. Joe Fenstermacher, 1993-94 15.38. Jason Conrad, 1992-93 159. Joe Fenstermacher, 1994-95 14.810. Davey Wriston, 2008-09 14.7

FiElD Goals1. luke Riley, 1998-99 1652. Mitch Gould, 1999-2000 1623. Josh toothman, 1992-93 1554. adam Davisson, 1996-97 1505. Joe Fenstermacher, 1993-94 1326. Corey Devericks, 1998-99 124t-6. Joe Fenstermacher, 1994-95 1248. Jerred Novotny, 1999-2000 1239. Danny Messenger, 1993-94 11610. Davey Wriston, 2008-09 113

thrEE-PointErs1. adam Davisson, 1996-97 592. Ronnie Welch, 1997-98 543. Corey Devericks, 1998-99 524. Josh toothman, 1992-93 515. Cory Morrison, 2004-05 446. Jason Wilson, 1997-98 377. troy evans, 1994-95 318. Jeff Messenger, 2002-03 309. Jesse swiger, 2009-10 2910. brad Greathouse, 1998-99 26

FrEE-throws MaDE1. Jerred Novotny, 1999-2000 1012. Josh toothman, 1992-93 943. Davey Wriston, 2008-09 914. Mitch Gould, 1999-2000 895. adam Davisson, 1996-97 856. Joe Fenstermacher, 1994-95 787. Joe Fenstermacher, 1993-94 738. Matt Van Horn, 2004-05 72 timmy swiger, 2002-03 7210. Dustin Matheny, 2008-09 67

FrEE-throw PErCEntaGE(Min. 60 attEMPts)1. Mitch Gould, 1999-2000 87.25%2. Jerred Novotny, 1999-2000 80.16%3. Matt Van Horn, 2004-05 80%4. David Douglas, 1994-95 79.69%5. Danny Messenger, 1993-94 73.86%6. Dustin Matheny, 2008-09 73.04%7. Josh toothman, 1993-94 72.87%8. David Douglas, 1993-94 71.79%9. Joe Fenstermacher, 1993-94 71.57%10. timmy swiger, 2002-03 71.29%

CarEEr rECorDsGaMEs PlaYED1. Jerred Novotny 69t-1. Jon southern 693. Corey Devericks 684. Joe Fenstermacher 675. Mitch Gould 61t-5. David Douglas 617. kenny bowers 518. troy evans 489. David Nuzum 4710. aaron lantz 45t-10. adam Davisson 45

Points1. Joe Fenstermacher 8382. Mitch Gould 6913. luke Riley 6474. Corey Devericks 6185. Jerred Novotny 6116. adam Davisson 5807. Jeff Messenger 5128. David Douglas 4919. Josh toothman 45510. Cory Morrison 353

Points-PEr-GaME(Min. 20 GaMEs PlaYED)1. Josh toothman 19.82. Davey Wriston 14.73. adam Davisson 12.94. Joe Fenstermacher 12.55. luke Riley 11.86. Jeff Messenger 11.67. Mitch Gould 11.38. Cory Morrison 119. Matt Van Horn 1010. Corey Devericks 9.1

FiElD Goals1. Joe Fenstermacher 3302. Mitch Gould 2703. luke Riley 2614. Corey Devericks 2335. Jeff Messenger 2076. Jerred Novotny 2067. adam Davisson 2058. David Douglas 1889. Josh toothman 15510. David Nuzum 133

thrEE-PointErs1. Corey Devericks 732. adam Davisson 663. Cory Morrison 604. Ronnie Welch 575. Jason Wilson 566. Josh toothman 517. Zach Hayhurst 398. troy evans 379. Jerred Novotny 3110. Jeff Messenger 30

FrEE-throws MaDE1. Joe Fenstermacher 1782. Jerred Novotny 1683. Mitch Gould 1314. luke Riley 1235. David Douglas 1126. adam Davisson 1047. Corey Devericks 998. Josh toothman 949. Davey Wriston 91t-9. Jeff Messenger 91

FrEE-throw PErCEntaGE(Min. 90 attEMPts)1. Matt Van Horn 80%2. Mitch Gould 79.39%3. Josh toothman 72.87%4. David Douglas 72.26%5. Dustin Matheny 72.04%6. timmy swiger 71.29%7. Jerred Novotny 71.19%8. Jeff Messenger 69.47%9. Corey Devericks 69.23%10. Joe Fenstermacher 64.26%







lance Bork senior32





Bart harrissenior10

Chadd Chippssenior

rosterradiorE

CorD

sinDiviDual rECorDs








lance Bork senior32





Bart harrissenior10

Chadd Chippssenior

rosterradio

Documents

2010-11 South Harrison Basketball Media Guide