Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Colt Wells (1) shoots layup guarded by Oak Mountain’s Gray Plaia (12) area basketball tournament at Spain Park High School on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
Jeremy Monceaux had big goals when he took over at Hewitt-Trussville High School three years ago, and nothing he’s seen since then has diminished his belief in what the boys basketball program can become.
“I said three years ago when I got the job, I fully believe that we’ll win a championship here one day. But part of getting to that level, you’ve got to walk into the gym with a certain kind of swagger,” the head coach said.
Among the returners, Colt Wells provided the Huskies with a spark last season, so the team is counting on him to be a key cog to their success as a junior.
Rashod Rolley is in the same boat, returning for his junior year as an important player after gaining experience as a sophomore.
Ben Warren is one of three seniors on this year’s team and is a guy Monceaux believes will surprise people this season. Warren came on strong toward the end of last season, before illness derailed his postseason.
Cooper Langston and Dave Carter are the other two seniors leading the team this year.
“We’re just a team that really doesn’t have any superstars,” Monceaux said. “We’ve got a bunch of guys that have to do what we need them to do at a high level every night.”
Caden Ali, Bryce Armstrong, Evan Chandler, De’Narrius Crawford, Pierce Heinzman, Aidan Julbert and Ryan Phelps are also in a large junior class with Wells and Rolley.
Tyler Wilson is a freshman on the varsity squad this year.
At the outset of the season, the Huskies don’t have a player who is an obvious one to demand the ball in high-leverage situations, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. The moment could arise for numerous players on any given night.
“For us, it’s about doing the little things really well,” Monceaux said.
One thing that won’t change under Monceaux is the Huskies’ commitment to defense, which has been among the state’s best the last two years.
“We’ve got to guard very well and be efficient on the offensive end,” he said.
Monceaux believes the program is progressing in the right direction and wants to see that translate into the players’ mindsets and confidence as well.
Hewitt-Trussville plays in Class 7A, Area 6, which now features the Huskies, Hoover, Oak Mountain and Vestavia Hills. Hoover is the two-time defending state champion, while Oak Mountain and Vestavia Hills have been regulars at the regional tournament in recent years.
“We’ve just got to continue moving forward so we can be in that conversation,” Monceaux said. “Teams know we exist. When are we going to win that one game that puts us over the hump as far as a program?"
