The 2019-2020 North Union boy’s varsity basketball team is pictured from left, front row, Tucker Wedding, Isaiah Radcliff, Aaron Krebehenne, Connor Terrill, Joel Krebehenne, Gavin Webb and Trevyn Feasel; second row, manager Josh Rayburn, head coach Brian Terrill, coach Austin Terrill, Owen Davis, Hudson Davis, Harley Day, Zach Vernon, Preston Crabtree, coach Ernie Jamison and coach Eric Shields. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
Double-digit scoring veterans return this year
The North Union boy’s basketball team has ample experience on its side this season. The Wildcats have returned every varsity player from last season and added some young talent this year to give them not only experience, but also plenty of depth. Head coach Brian Terrill said it could be the deepest team he has ever led in his 13 years of coaching the boys team.
Terrill added the success of the team will depend on the players accepting their roles.
“How high of a level our team ends up playing to and how much we accomplish will come down to how accepting players are to fulfilling the roles they are given by the coaching staff and remaining coachable as we face adversity,” he said.
Those roles will be varied for every player, but Terrill will turn to his experienced players to help score buckets.
Preston Crabtree returns to the team boasting a 13 points per game average, while fellow guard Connor Terrill returns for his senior year with an 11.3 point per game average.
Harley Day will be in the post for the Cats. he tallied a 10.3 point per game average last season.
Joel Krebehenne and Trevyn Feasel round out the starting five for the Wildcats.
Along with the returning starters, Terrill also has some returning bench players in Aaron Krebehenne, Gavin Webb and Zach Vernon who averaged six points a game.
Along with the already established talent, some new faces have found themselves on the varsity roster.
Owen Davis and Tucker Wedding are two freshmen on the roster and have the chance to help give NU some depth.
Terrill added that with all the talent on this year’s team, there is a chance for any player to earn a starting position.
“Players are being challenged to compete on every play in practice and in the game,” he said. “With our depth it also helps with practice habits because kids are not stupid.
If they don’t work this year, someone else will pass them up.”
Despite the talent, Terrill and his Wildcats are not going to overlook any opponent.
However, they have their eyes on a few standout teams in the Central Buckeye Conference.
“Indian Lake and Urbana will both be especially strong this year in the division,” said Terrill. “London, Springfield Shawnee and Bellefontaine are all on our schedule in the crossover games and will be extremely tough.”
With a tough schedule ahead, Terrill added that the expectation for his players this year is fairly straightforward.
“Our expectations are to hold each player accountable to playing hard, being on time, being a good teammate and working in the classroom,” he said.
Terrill’s straightforward approach has been working for the team so far this young season.
The Wildcats as they have kept their record sterling at 3-0 with wins over Columbus North, Pleasant and Urbana.
NU’s boy’s junior varsity basketball team is pictured from the left, front row, Tucker Wedding, John Allinder, Spencer Parish, Kai Shimizu, Aaron Krebehenne, Richie Bolander and Isaiah Radcliff; second row, coach Austin Terrill, Jacob Willis, Owen Wolford, Hudson Davis, Parker Brandt, Owen Davis and coach Ernie Jamison.
(Journal-Tribune photy by Sam Dillon