After a long wait we’re finally back! Don’t get me wrong, I love all sports, however, I have a particular love for the hardwood! I am so excited to get into the pre-season previews for both the BHS Boys and Girls Basketball Teams, so let’s waste no more time and get into it!
Starting with my beloved Broadway Girls basketball team.
Last year was an epic triumph for the program. We made steady progress from the previous season to rack up 14 wins and a playoff victory in Fort Defiance. The game was an action packed one. We beat the high-flying Fort squad late in the 4th on some clutch free throws to win our first playoff game in a handful of years. Unfortunately, the season came to a closer with a hard-fought loss in Lynchburg to LCA in the Region 3C Quarterfinals.
So, the real question is, where do we go from here?
Well, for starters, the team will be led by interim coach Zach Yoder. Yoder a Broadway legend on and off the court, brings an unmeasured basketball IQ to the sideline. I’ve heard him referred to as the smartest player one has ever seen. I’m excited to learn from him this year on the sideline. Coach Willie Tinnell, Coach Janna Grandle and Coach Ben Elliott will each return to the sideline as Assistant Coaches for the Gobblers. The JV staff will see Coach Delawder and Bland back as well. I love these folks dearly and cannot wait to learn from all of them.
With the staff shout outs out of the way, how’s the roster looking?
Last year we graduated two seniors, Lindsey Wimer and Lily Gatesman who both made invaluable contributions to the program and I am eternally grateful for the two of them. They taught me a ton and I owe a lot of what I know to the two of them and I wish them all the best moving forward. We introduce a handful of fresh faces to the mix. Seniors Keely Spencer and Natalee Strawderman and freshmen Mady Ennius and Ella Yoder. Along with Junior transfer Izzy Von Arnswaldt. Addison Shanholtz comes up from JV to complete our round of new faces!
Returners are Wren Wheeler, Lexie Dingus, Maya Bacon, Hannah Tinnell, April Gingerich and Kaley Runion.
We’ve got a great group of kids here that I am beyond grateful to coach again. A huge list of personalities and hard workers that I know will do what our staff tells them to do in order to succeed.
As for the schedule, we have our normal valley district matchups in addition to two new faces to the valley this season. William Monroe Hawks and Jordan Biller’s East Rockingham Eagles. I’ve faced these programs sparingly over the years and am more than happy to have them in the district this year. The only new opponents on the schedule this year are Luray, and Page County! We’ve also got the holiday tournament in Strasburg where we’ll take on Sherando and another to be determined opponent.
I’m really looking forward to this season for my Lady Gobblers. I hope for steady improvement and growth for everyone involved on and off the court. Of course, I’d love to be right back in the playoffs and if everything goes to plan that’s where we’ll be!
Next up on the docket is the boys program!
The BHS Boys basketball program is faithfully led by recent 200 game winner Dwight Walton and his trusted assistant Terry Jameson. I say it every year and I’ll say it again for years to come. I’m forever indebted to these two men; they’ve taught me more than I could express and they instilled in me a love for the game that I hope to pass along to the next generation!
The JV program will be led once again by coach Wilkerson and Coach Reardon! Both are great guys who I’ve been lucky to get to know over the years.
The roster construction for the boys is missing a handful of notable players who have graduated to the next level. The team will be tasked with replacing Jowell Santiago, Caleb Barnes and Breylon Miller, three starters from a year ago. The 2023 team will feature a group of three seniors including Conner Michael, Jet Gonzalez and Eric Santiago. The roster is made up of a large group of Juniors this season, including newcomers Grayson Jacquez, Brady Ray and Tucker Trout. The Junior class also features three returning players this season including Samuel Post and Braden Burkhalter, both of whom played impactful minutes last season. Junior Tristan Yoder returns as well after a big sophomore season. Yoder, who holds the school record for three pointers in a game, is expected to be one of the focal points of the offense this season. Sophomore Victor Diaz-Hernandez and Freshman Elijah Post make up the underclassman for the team, but could each provide valuable minutes for the Gobblers this season.
The Boys schedule is virtually the same as the girls, except swap holiday tournaments. The boys will play Monticello and a to-be determined opponent in December at Cave Spring High School in Roanoke.
Despite some of the new faces on the court for the boys this season yet, there’s no one else better fit to lead this team than the legendary duo of Walton and Jameson. These two are as good as it gets, and I have zero doubt in my mind that the boys will be in the playoffs hunt as the season draws to a close in February.
As always, I am really looking forward to another great winter for each team!
Most importantly, to the fans. You are the reason why we love what we do here. If it wasn’t for you guys this experience wouldn’t be nearly what it is. Thank you for all your continued support!!
You can hear many of the BHS Basketball games live on the Gobblers Sports Network. The tentative schedule is to broadcast 25 games this coming season. Be sure to check out the 2023-2024 BHS Basketball Broadcast Scheule at http://www.gobblerssportsnetwork.com
