Team Preview: Cashion (2A)
Cashion only lost to two opponents in 2020, going 25-3 en route to a State Tournament appearance. Six players who played significant minutes for the Wildcats return for the 2020-2021 season. Three of those players; Jonah Jenkins, Vance Raney and…
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Continue ReadingCashion only lost to two opponents in 2020, going 25-3 en route to a State Tournament appearance.
Six players who played significant minutes for the Wildcats return for the 2020-2021 season. Three of those players; Jonah Jenkins, Vance Raney and Austin Fraizer, have had experience leading the team, coach John Hardaway said, and will be expected to reprise those roles as juniors.
“Last year, I felt like Jonah, Vance and Austin were doing that for us by the end of the year last year,” Hardaway said. “Jonah, his last third of the season, he was leading in scoring a lot of nights and taking care of the ball.
“Those guys carried a lot of the load for us last year, even as sophomores,” Hardaway said.
Hardaway also gave praise to Raney’s sharpshooting skills and defensive versatility.
“Even back when he was a freshman, Vance could shoot the ball, he’s a great passer, he’s very savvy out there,” Hardaway said, “he’s a heck of a defender. . . he can defend one-through-five for us, and he does.”
Another junior, Trey Tichenor, also returns with valuable experience after playing significant minutes as a sophomore, Hardaway said.
The Wildcats are also awaiting the return of two junior football players with pivotal game experience, Nick Nabavi and Landon Lagasse, who are occupied with a run for the Gold Ball on the gridiron.
“Those football guys, we may not get them until Christmas,” Hardaway said. “Hopefully that’s what happens, hopefully they can win it all.”
Other players have stepped into greater roles, Hardaway said. Sophomore Caleb Shafer, junior Brycen Hogan and senior Jake Wilkerson will each see expanded playing time.
A focus for the Wildcats, offensively, is their shooting excellence. That starts, Hardaway said, with selecting shots of quality.
“We’ve got enough guys that can score it,” Hardaway said, “so if we’re willing to give a little bit of ourself up in terms of selfishness. . . that’s what really allows us to shoot at a high percentage, because we’re not taking very many bad ones.”
Hardaway said that the cancelation of the 2020 State Tournament has helped to drive his team.
“We felt like we had something taken from us last year,” Hardaway said, “and I think that really is making our guys beyond hungry. . . I think our kids won’t take anything for granted.”
Hardaway said that he feels defense and rebounding will be keys to the Wildcats success, as well.
“If we are willing to defend and rebound, I think our offensive side will usually take care of itself,” Hardaway said. “I really like our team, I like our guys.”