#TerryTalks Catching Up With The Hartselle Tigers
The Hartselle Tigers finished the 2021-2022 campaign with a 57-66 loss to Pinson Valley in the Round of 32. According to MaxPreps.com, their final record was 17-16. The Tigers are losing three seniors but have a strong core coming back…
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Continue ReadingThe Hartselle Tigers finished the 2021-2022 campaign with a 57-66 loss to Pinson Valley in the Round of 32. According to MaxPreps.com, their final record was 17-16. The Tigers are losing three seniors but have a strong core coming back and will be looking to make a deeper run in the playoffs.
I recently caught up with head coach Faron Key and talked with him about how the team’s off-season training is going. He is excited about the upcoming time he will have to watch his team compete in June. I asked him what he needs to see from his team throughout the month, and here are three things he wants to see:
- He wants to see his team compete hard.
- He wants to have worked out roles by the end of the month.
- He wants to see a level of togetherness with the team.
Coach Key and the coaching staff are excited about the possibilities in front of the team. They will be using June to build the foundation of what they can build upon once the season starts.
Let’s take a look at key pieces to the puzzle for the Tigers…
Key Returning Players:
Kiah Key Kiah Key 5'9" | PG Hartselle | 2023 State AL (6’3|G/F|2023)
Instagram: Kiahkey1
Twitter: @Kiahkey1
When you look at what Kiah brings to the court, you understand why those around Hartselle basketball is excited about the upcoming season. Last season, Kiah led the Tigers in rebounds, steals, and deflections. He was tied for first in scoring and was second in assists for his squad. When you have that caliber production returning, there is a lot of room for optimism. Kiah is a skilled guard that competes on every play and on both ends of the floor. He will be the leader of the squad. As I often do with players that coaches will be looking to for leadership, I will do with Kiah, and for Kiah, I challenge him to read the book, The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon ( https://jongordon.com/books/theenergybus/).
Ryan Levi Dunn (6’0/PG/2023)
Instagram: rdunn_20
Twitter: @rdunn_20
Ryan will be coming back for his senior campaign after leading the Tigers in assists last season and being the third-leading scorer on last year’s team. He is a skilled PG whose strength is facilitating, and he is really good at getting teammates the ball where they can be productive. Look for Ryan to be a pivotal piece to just how far the Tigers can get in the postseason.
Kohl Key (5’11/SG/2024)
Instagram: Kohl_key14
Twitter: @Kohl.key14
Kohl has another year under his belt and will be a key playmaker with the ball in his hands. He is tough off the bounce yet, at the same time, can stroke the rock beyond the arc. His IQ is one of the things that separates him when on the court, and if he can pull together all the attributes, he can be a complete player that can take pressure off Kiah and Ryan.
Players Ready To Make A Difference:
Thomas Itsede (SG/2023)
Instagram: N/A
Twitter: N/A
Thomas will be a key player on the defensive end of the court as his ability to defend and be in the right places will be helpful with the Tigers team defense. Offensively, Thomas will be a player that puts a lot of pressure on the defense off the bounce. His ability to break down defenders and collapse the defense will provide opportunities to show off a strength of his game which is passing the rock.
Rylan Smothers (6’3|F/C|2024)
Instagram: N/A
Twitter: N/A
With the Tigers having a lot of production coming from their perimeter players, Rylan will need to bring production from the frontcourt. The coaching staff believes that Rylan has the ability to provide rebounding, scoring, and post passing, and June will be a time that he can work on settling into his role.
Here’s Where You Can Catch The Tigers In June:
June 7: Supreme Courts
June 9: Hartselle HS
June 14: Supreme Courts
June 17-18: AHSAA Camp (Finley Center)
June 21: Buckhorn HS
June 24: Thompson HS
Follow The Tigers:
Instagram: Hartselle.Hoops
Twitter: @hartsellehoops