Equipped with experience, Huskies look to take next step

There are some things you simply cannot replicate or produce in practice.

One of those things is experience. Many of the Hewitt-Trussville High School boys basketball players lacked any significant varsity experience entering last season, and the only way to gain it was to go through the grind of a season.

There were some bumps in the road as a result, as the Huskies posted a 9-15 overall record in Jeff Baker’s first season as head coach. This winter, Hewitt-Trussville returns a large portion of its roster, and that gained experience should begin to pay dividends.

“Those guys getting [24] games at that level, that’ll pay off this year,” Baker said. “We went 15-3 this summer, and I can already see a difference.”

Hewitt-Trussville was even able to build some positive momentum toward the end of last year, knocking off eventual Class 6A champion Pinson Valley and 5A runner-up Center Point in the regular season’s final two games.

Out of the seven Area 6 games the Huskies played last season, the three against eventual 7A champ Mountain Brook were outliers. But the other four were games in which the Huskies dug themselves an early hole that proved too much to overcome.

“We got down early almost every game,” Baker said. “Other than Mountain Brook, we cut it to two or three [points] late in the game. We got down because of a lack of experience.”

Baker said he now sees the belief in his players’ eyes after the solid finish to last season and the strong summer they put together.

“They expect to win more than they did a year ago,” he said.

Cameron Glover is the Huskies’ leading returning scorer, as the senior guard averaged about 15 points per game last season. He will be expected to carry that load once again, and Baker has seen him become more well-rounded as a player over the past several months.

“If your best player is your best leader, that can really help a team,” Baker said.

Brandan Copeland and Jacolby Thomas are also back, giving the Huskies three experienced players who have showed they can score at a high level. Baker said Thomas could play point guard and allow Glover to play off the ball more than he did last season.

Tyler Pickett is the Huskies’ primary post player, as the Huskies will likely employ a four-guard, one-post player strategy throughout the season.

Other varsity players for Hewitt-Trussville include Tim Brisco, J’Vahn Durgan, Colin Glover, Ryan Harper, Andrew Ho, Carter Hollis, Treagan Lockett, Ray Rolley, Zack Stutsman, Cole Trest and Brelyn Turner.

Defensively, Baker said the Huskies will press most of the game and look similar to last season’s philosophy, but that they will be “crisper” in the execution.

In December, Hewitt-Trussville plays the likes of Huffman, Pleasant Grove, Ramsay and Wenonah in the midst of a tough schedule. The Huskies also will host Huntsville on Dec. 6 on Throwback Night, with the teams playing at Hewitt-Trussville Middle School.