The Hendersonville Christian Academy boys prep basketball program was hit hard by graduation.
As a result, the Crusaders will rely on numerous newcomers during the upcoming campaign.
“The big deal is losing so much offensively in Austin (Janco) and Grant (Palmer),” HCA fifth-year head coach John Taylor said. “Cole Hughes provided some offense, in helping us to run and control the ball.
“I have to have some new guys step up offensively.”
Hendersonville Christian Academy junior Andre Hambrick elevates for a layin during Monday afternoon’s practice.
Hendersonville Christian Academy fifth-year head coach John Taylor instructs his players during Monday afternoon’s practice.
Janco, Palmer and Hughes were three of the six now-departed seniors.
Janco and Palmer averaged 18.8 and 18.6 points per game, respectively, in leading the team to a 16-14 record last season.
“Our success will rise and fall on us being blue collar, bring your lunch pail every day to practice and being ready to claw in every game,” Taylor said. “We have to be willing to do the work it takes. It’s not going to be easy. We know that. I have to get these guys to night-in and night-out to be tough, blue-collar, hard-working kids.”
Senior guard Emilio Quemada is expected to provide some offensive firepower.
“He’s going to be our go-to guy,” Taylor said. “He’s a strong guy and good ball-handler, and he’s a scorer. He’s a tough, hard-nosed player. Whenever I need a bucket, he’s my go-to guy.”
Another senior – Joey Fragnoli – will start at point guard.
“Joey got some time for me last year, and he’s ready to step up and run the offense,” Taylor said. “He’s going to be the guy I count on to control our offense. He’s going to be our coach on the floor.
“He’s a smart kid. He’s worked the entire summer and fall, getting ready for his opportunity. I’m excited to see how Joey can produce for us.”
Senior Blake Smith, junior Dillon Andress and sophomore Devin Carlisle will all play in the post area.
“He’s a strong player,” Taylor said of Carlisle. “He’s a battler. He’s going to do a lot of the dirty work. Good things happen for the dirty-work players.
“We’ve struggled against teams who are really good in the post. This team is going to look a lot different than my past four teams. We’re not going to be able to run the ball as fast as we’ve done it in the past. We’re going to have to control the ball offensively and look for a really good shot instead of being able to rely on players like Grant and Austin. We’re going to have to be a little more methodical and little more deliberate. We have to play smart offensively and tough defense. Most of our preseason will be geared toward improvement on the defensive end.”
Sophomore guard Peyton Shoulders is expected to provide a perimeter-shooting threat, and classmate Jalen Cole will also provide depth in the backcourt.
Junior Andre Hambrick is playing basketball for the first time at HCA. Hambrick competed for the Crusader football program this fall.
“I’m excited to see what he brings to the basketball court,” Taylor said.
HCA moves from the Division II-Class A East/Middle Region District 2 to District 1 this season.
“Our goal is to come in the top three and make it to the region,” Taylor said. “That would be our first trip to the region (tournament). I think that’s attainable. At the end of the year, once you get to tournament play, anything can happen. If we put ourselves in a position to advance to the region, I feel like we’ve done a great job. Of course, we want to go farther than that, but that’s a goal. Other than that, we have to improve daily. That goes along with having that blue-collar work ethic.”
Hendersonville Christian Academy freshman Joe Black elevates for a layin during Monday afternoon’s practice.
HCA hosts Nashville Christian for a Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA) Hall of Champions game on Thursday, Nov. 19.
The Crusaders open the regular season at Montgomery Bell Academy on Nov. 24, and they will begin district play with a game at Friendship Christian on Dec. 11.
Reach Craig Harris at charris@mtcngroup.com or at 615-575-7138. Follow him on Twitter @HarrisGNESports.