Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hewitt-Trussville’s Ray Rolley (00) dribbles the ball downcourt in a game against Vestavia Hills at Hewitt-Trussville High School in January.
Last season was a struggle for the Hewitt-Trussville High School boys basketball team. The Huskies got off to a slow start and never got any significant positive momentum going.
Hewitt-Trussville won just once after Christmas and finished up with an 8-19 record. Seasons like that will force a coach to do plenty of self-reflection and Huskies coach Jeff Baker said he “did a lot of that.”
Now that the 2021-22 season has arrived, though, it’s time to leave that in the past and move forward. Baker enters this season choosing to look at things in a positive manner, such as how close his team was to breaking through last year. A play here or there could have changed the outcome of several games.
“We haven’t done it consistently, but we’ve had games where we’re in the mix late,” Baker said. “It is possible. We’re going to show up every day, work, get better and max out on who we are.”
Any conversation about this year’s team starts with the seniors, a group for which Baker has high praise. Dawson Blount, Tim Brisco, David Moore, Jace Hill and Jacob Brown have all been in the program for a while and know what to expect.
“Our seniors are really good dudes and really good leaders,” Baker said.
Baker said they are hard workers and unselfish players. Although they may not lead the team in scoring most nights, a large amount of the Huskies’ success rests in their hands.
Most of the scoring will come from the junior class. Ray Rolley and Legion Gaston will have the ball in their hands plenty, while Karnell Smith and Emeka Anwah provide plenty of scoring punch as well. Tyler Blake is a sharpshooter as well. Hopkins Long, Braxton Brown and Knox Baker are also juniors.
Sophomores Carson Wideman and Reid Stodghill will log plenty of minutes, too.
As far as the team’s playing style, Baker expects his team to be able to shoot the ball better this season. That will be needed, given the Huskies will be at a height disadvantage most nights throughout the season. They will also look to use their team speed as an advantage, particularly when they run five-guard rotations.
On defense, the Huskies plan to venture away from the constant full-court press they have employed in years past and will look to keep teams on their toes with a multiple, switching half-court defense.
“They’re going to be a group that reaches their potential; I have no doubt in my mind,” Baker said. “They’ll max out. I’m pleased with our practices and our character.”
Like every other year, Hewitt-Trussville is in a tough area, which features the likes of Spain Park, Vestavia Hills and Gadsden City. Spain Park and Vestavia are expected to be state title contenders.
“Our region and all that is going to be tough like it is every year; it’s not getting any easier,” Baker said.
Hewitt also isn’t making things any easier with its non-region scheduling, playing Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Auburn and Hoover.
“I just like competing and being in a situation where the outcome is uncertain,” Baker said. “You learn more about yourself that way.”
