The Fairbanks varsity boys basketball team is pictured from left, front row, Jacob Nicol, Gatlin Luke, Wyatte Miller, Nick Murray, Trey Good, Owen Herbst and Justin Brackenridge; back row, assistant coach Scott Coon, Braylon Green, Tyler Beem, Creoss Hackathorne, Cary Calder, Seth Standley, Mason Smith and head coach Justin George.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
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Fairbanks boys basketball coach Justin George has a strong nucleus of returning lettermen and some up-and-coming players on the 2018-19 roster.
The Panthers, who posted an 11-12 record a year ago, will be led by seniors Cross Hackathorne, Jacob Nicol, Tyler Beem and Mason Smith.
Hackathorne (6-4) averaged 12.2 points per game a year ago as FHS finished third in the Ohio Heritage Conference North Division with a 9-3 mark.
Nicol, who stands 6-2, averaged a little more than nine points per game; Beem (6-4) scored at a 6.3 clip; and Smith (6-2) averaged six points per outing.
Also on the varsity are sophomores Braylon Green (6-4) and Wyatt Miller (5-10) and seniors Seth Standley (6-2), Cary Calder (6-3), Nick Murray (6-1) and Justin Brackenridge (6-0).
Standley, Calder, Murray and Brackenridge logged enough minutes to earn varsity letters as well.
George doesn’t really have what you could call set positions for each player.
“Everyone of our guys can play every position and that makes us versatile,” he said. “We also have an advantage of being a senior-heavy team.
“Our practices have been more of a review and getting better at what we do, than teaching stuff to a lot of new people.”
The Panthers will run a more open-style offense and try to kick up the tempo a bit.
“We’re going to run against teams if we can,” said George. “We can also play a half-court offense if we need to, but we want to get out in transition.”
FHS will primarily play a man-to-man defense. At times, it will be a full-court alignment, depending on the defensive situation.
While the team will be oriented toward fourth-year players, George does have a concern about the lack of experienced depth.
“Some of our guys played a little bit of varsity ball last year, but they’re not quite as experienced at that level,” he said. “Our first six or seven guys are going to have to stay on the court for as long as they can during any given game.
“We can’t have anybody get in foul trouble this year.”
The OHC North should once again be very competitive.
“I would imagine that West Jefferson and West Liberty-Salem will be among the top teams in the division,” said George. “However, I feel we can also be there as well.”
The Panthers have set a goal of moving up a couple of notches and winning the division title.
They would also like to earn a high-enough tournament seed in order to host a post-season game.
“In order to accomplish both of those goals, we’re going to have to win a lot games this season,” said George. “The more games you win, the better chance you have for a higher tournament seed.”
It has been a while since Fairbanks has won a post-season game and that’s another goal for the squad.
That, however, won’t be easy.
“Division III in the Central District is once again stacked,” said George. “Worthington Christian, Wellington and Columbus Africentric are going to be among the top teams.
“Grove City Christian, Grandview and Columbus Academy are also going to be strong.”
Fairbanks has strengthened its schedule with the addition of Heath.
“We will also still play North Union and Elgin during the regular season,” said George. “I feel that a tough regular season schedule will help prepare us for the tournament.”