POMEROY–A season with many "ups and downs" wound down with the Pomeroy Pirates tied for fourth place, the Bucs winning a play-in game but losing at the district tournament to finish with a 6-16 record and a ton of experience for the team's six freshmen, who will be a key to the future of the program," said Coach Chris Wolf. The coach has submitted this information in lieu of the traditional awards event.

Coach Wolf praised the trio of senior players–Byron Stallcop, Evan Bartels and Danner Maves–who were the backbone of the team, and named recipients of the awards for Profile, Rebounding, Defense, Coach's, Free Throw and Most Improved.

Stallcop was a team captain and received the Rebounding Award. He had 212 rebounds in 22 games, with many double-doubles, Wolf said. "He had a great attitude and worked tirelessly to get better every day. He was always a positive influence for the younger players and led by example," Wolf said. "We will miss his attitude and physicality next year."

Bartels was a team captain and received the Defensive Award, Wolf said. "Evan has been a big part of this program for the last four years," Wolf said. "He was part of the team that finished third at state his sophomore year. Evan was one of the leaders on this team, and played, practiced, and worked hard all season. Evan took on the role of guarding one the other team's best players this year, and really improved his defense."

Maves was also a big part of the Pirate program the past four years, also on the third-place team his sophomore year, the coach said. He received the Coach's Award and was a team captain. "Danner is a quiet leader who played smart basketball," he said. "He didn't turn the ball over very much and was someone we could count on to make the right pass. Danner was a good shooter whom we had trouble getting to take shots. When he did, he usually shot a high percentage."

Trent Gwinn was the team's leading scorer with 14.5 average points per game, and received the Profile Award, Wolf said. "This award factors in all aspects of the game and shows what an all-around player Trent is becoming," he said. Gwinn also led in assists. He scored 30 against Prescott and 29 against WWVA, plus dunked the ball in the Lakeland game. "Trent has a motor that never stops," Wolf said. "He plays hard all the time and can play heavy minutes at this pace. I look forward to what Trent is going to accomplish the next two years."

Trevin Kimble started at point guard as a freshman, filling one of the "toughest positions," Wolf said. Kimble shot 72% from the free-throw line to receive the Free Throw Award. "Trevin will be a key part of where this team goes the next three years," he said. At point guard, Kimble experienced "growing pains but I believe he is going to have a great career for us and that this year's experiences give him a head start on the next three years," Wolf said.

Braedon Fruh, 5-10 freshman, received the Most Improved Award. "Braedon just got better as the season went along," Wolf said. "At the start of the season we were looking for someone to come off the bench and provide quality minutes. Braedon assumed this role and by the end of the season was playing his best basketball."

Varsity letters went to Bartels, Maves, Stallcop, Gwinn, Kimble, Fruh and Tyson Kimble.

Wolf also commented on Tyson Kimble, Brodie Magill, Brady Bott, Trevin Walton, Jayden Slusser, Kyler Denny, Trace Roberts, Ollie Severs and Cash Copher.

Six-foot junior Tyson Kimble was injured and unable to play, but would have been a key player, providing depth at post, Wolf said. In summer ball, Kimble often led scorers, and rebounded and passed well. "You could tell the light had come on and he was poised for a great year," Wolf said. Kimble was at practices and games, and paid attention and learned a lot. Sitting out the season will "make him stronger and hungrier for next season," Wolf said.

Freshman Brodie Magill broke his nose, missing practices and games in December, then broke his toe and missed more time. "If he hadn't had these injuries," Wolf said, "he would hav been a key contributor off our bench."

Brady Bott played JV and suited up for varsity, getting some minutes. "He developed a lot of skills on jayvee," Wolf said, "and his ball handling and defense improved."

Five-eight freshman Trevin Walton played JV and suited up for varsity. "He worked hard in practice every day and showed great improvement," Wolf said. Walton listens and tries to implement what he's shown, and next season will see a larger role.

Jayden Slusser had a great attitude and worked hard, Wolf said, playing JV and suiting up for varsity. "He is working to develop his skills and is a player who will contribute to varsity in the future."

Kyler Denny played JV and developed as the season progressed. "He learns quickly and has a good basketball IQ," Wolf said.

Three eighth graders, Trace Roberts, Ollie Severs and Cash Copher, were mentioned by Wolf, each contributing to the success of the JV team. Wolf spoke positively of each player's potential and development of their skills.

"This was a very young team this year with six freshman playing minutes and no juniors playing minutes," Wolf said. "I am very proud of the effort and work this group put in. There were many opportunities for this team to give up, but they came to practice every day and worked hard and fought to get better."

The team's improvement showed at the season's end, Coach Wolf said, when the Pirates finished tied for fourth with SJEL, winning a play-in game to District. "This was the highlight of the season as the boys played their best game of the year and came out on top 56-33 to advance to the post season," he said. "Trent Gwinn scored 20 points that night and played a complete game. The seniors showed that night that they didn't want their season to end. They played extremely hard and dominated the rebound battle which was a key to our success that night."

-File photo

Evan Bartels, a senior, was the team's top defender and a team captain.

The Buccaneers' season ended with "a great battle" against Prescott. After jitters let Prescott go up 10-2, Braedon Fruh subbed in and quickly scored eight points to make it 17-12 at the end of the first quarter, Wolf said. Pomeroy took the lead with "a great second quarter," leading 26-23 at halftime. "We weren't able to maintain that in the second half and fell 53-41 to end our season," Wolf said.