The Shadow
While an area rivalry highlights the start of the 2009 girls basketball season, the Bath County tip-off the boys season with a game tonight at Buffalo Gap.
Gone from the Bath County squad is Gates Hescher, who joined the exclusive BCHS 1,000 point club and averaged 18.8 ppg as a senior.
But returning is a roster filled with experience for Coach Dave Herscher and his Chargers who are coming off an 11-13 season in which they advanced to the Region C semifinals before being ousted by Galax.
“It’s going to be a little different this season but I’m as excited this year as I have ever been,” said Herscher.
Herscher welcomes back six seniors and a junior with valuable varsity experience.
The most experienced will be senior four-year starter in Eric Gentry who comes into the season needing just 303 points to join the BCHS 1,000 point club.
“Eric will be our leader on the floor,” said Herscher. “He can play all five positions on the floor and his versatility will be a big asset for us.”
Also returning are senior twins Ryan and Drew Newmarker and Jacob and Jared Ingram along with senior Robbie Ailstock.
Ryan Newmarker and the Ingram twins saw considerable amounts of time on the floor and Drew Newmarker also got in some valuable minutes on the court for the Chargers.
Jacob Ingram was the Chargers third leading scorer from a year ago, averaging 5.9 ppg, while the tall and slender Ailstock was the fourth leading scorer at 5.2 ppg.
Junior Dillon Fry (4.3 ppg) is a returning starter and adds depth to the already deep Charger roster.
Newcomers to this year’s team are juniors Walker Ryder, who got some valuable varsity experience after moving up from JV during the postseason last year, along with Colby Bosserman and Zack Woodzell.
Bosserman is looked as an imediate impact player if he can stay healthy.
“I think Colby is going to have a huge impact on our team if he can remain injury free,” said Herscher. “He had a great season on the junior varsity level last year when he was on the floor. Colby just plays so hard that he has the tendancy to be injury-prone and I just hope that he can remain healthy.”
When asked who he thought would be the team to beat in the Pioneer District without hesitation Herscher replied, “without a doubt James River.”
The Alleghany boys open the season Friday at Glenvar, while Covington waits until Monday to open the season when they host 2008 Group A, Division 1 Runner-Up Eastern Montgomery.
Action begins tonight at 6 p.m. with the junior varsity game.
