Boys Prep Basketball 2008-09 by Dean Hensley

WEST HENDERSON

Mascot: Falcons.

Coach: Rob Bliss, third year.

Conference: Western Athletic 2-A.

2007-08 record: 14-14 overall, 6-4 WAC (third).

Postseason play: Lost 60-50 to Newton-Conover in the first round.

Returning starters: Daniel Hyatt, 6-3 senior guard/center.

Other returning players: Kevin Thomas, 6-3 sophomore guard/forward; Matt Roberts, 5-11 junior guard; Adam Troutman, 6-3 senior forward; Colby Thelen, 5-9 junior guard.

Newcomers: Kagan Williams, 5-10 junior guard; Karl Bernadas, 5-5 sophomore guard; Corey Shaw, 5-11 junior guard; Taylor Reeves, 6-2 junior forward; Kyle Earwood, 6-5 sophomore forward; Matt VanWingerden, 6-1 junior forward.

Outlook: West Henderson lost leading scorer and point guard Zach Corliss, who is now a freshman guard at Armstrong Atlantic State in Savannah, Ga., with good friend Chris VanLandingham, a former North Henderson standout, to graduation.

Corliss reached the 1,000-point plateau his senior year, and now Falcon coach Rob Bliss will be looking for someone to help fill those big shoes. After the early practices, he knows he has plenty of players who can shoot the ball.

“The key word for us right now is youth. We do shoot the ball well at times, and I’d have to say that’s our strength. Dan shoots it well, and Kagan shoots it well. Kevin Thomas is also a pretty good perimeter shooter, so we have some shooters.

“We just don’t have the experience,” Bliss said.

Led by Corliss, the Falcons finished in third spot in the WAC last season and ended up falling to Newton-Conover in the first round of the state playoffs.

Bliss believes this group could be in the mix as well in the conference.

“Your goal every year is to win the conference championship, but when you have a young team like this, you have to be realistic. I believe Smoky Mountain has all the pieces to not only win the conference but make a state title run. We’re hoping to be in the top half of the conference,” Bliss said.