Nov. 28, 2012 —
After a 25-8 season a year ago, the West Carter boys basketball team is gearing up for another season. Last year, the Comets repeated as 16th Region All “A” Champions and made it to the semifinals of the Regional Tournament.
The Comets lost four starters including Derek Lawson. The Double-Double machine averaged 15.2 points and 11.9 rebounds a game.
Coach Jeremy Webb admitted his team is young but they are ready to step up to the challenge.
“We’re a work in progress,” Webb said. “We’re not going to be at our best early with a young group. We’re going to have to have a little more patience this year with them and try to play to our strengths.”
The Comets return a vital part from last year’s team in senior guard Kyle Brown. Brown averaged 16.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Brown knows he must be a leader on this team where expectations are at an all time high in Olive Hill.
“We’re excited,” Brown said. “The past two seasons we’ve made it to region, we won a game in region last year and this year we’re looking to go a little further like all teams are when the start the season.”
Webb said West’s strengths will be its quickness and ability to put the ball in the basket. The Comets are going to have to rely on several players, who didn’t see a lot of time last year.
“We’ve had so many seniors these past few years it seems like we’ve had a more difficult time of developing our younger players,” Webb said. “With only two seniors on our team, four juniors and the rest sophomores and freshmen, they’re all going to have to play critical roles on our basketball team.”
Webb said the Comets will go through some growing pains early, especially with the lack of an experienced post player. He said he and his square are confident they will make strides to get better when the postseason rolls around.
“It’ll take a while for us to come together but everyone is on the same page,” Webb said. “This year, we’re meshing some young guys in with some veterans and it typically takes a little longer.”
The Comets have their goals set on making it a 3-peat in the All “A” but also a District Championship, something that has not resided in Olive Hill since 1999.
“You’ve only got to beat two teams to win a district championship,” Brown said. “I think we’re going to push hard for that this year.”
West Carter opened the season Tuesday night on the road with a tough 34-31 loss at Sheldon Clark.
