The Mount Gilead boys’ basketball team is gearing up for the start of the 2022-2023 season following a year in which it went 8-15 overall and 5-7 in Knox Morrow Athletic Conference play, and with the Indians bringing back four key letter winners, coach Dan Strasser has high hopes for success and a run at a a title.
“Every season, our team's No. 1 goal is to compete for a KMAC Championship,” Strasser said. “We have a nice core of guys coming back this season, with some younger guys that will have to step up. This group is extremely close, and the team chemistry is coming together nicely. We are working to develop a defensive identity that will put our guys in the best positions to excel. We are focused on getting at least 1% better every day, and then stacking those days/weeks/months together. We are excited to start the season and see how good we can become.”
Senior guard Matthew Bland is a returning three-time letter winner. The returning starter is coming off a season marred by a knee injury that allowed him to play only eight games. When he was a sophomore, he was First Team All-KMAC, First Team All District 11 and honorable mention AP All-Central District. Last year, he averaged 13 points, shot 47% and 35% from beyond the arc.
Senior guard/forward Carter Kennon returns as a three-year letter winner and starter. Last year, he was honorable mention All-KMAC and honorable mention for District 11. He averaged nine points, five rebounds and two assists per game while shooting 38% from three point land.
Senior forward/center Aaron Gannon is a returning letter winner and starter. He transferred from Highland in his sophomore year and could play only half of last year. In 10 games, he averaged eight points and six boards and shot 51%.
Quade Harris is a junior forward/center who is a two-time varsity letter winner and returning starter.
Additional varsity players who should make positive impacts include sophomores Cameron Vickers, Rowan Fitzpatrick and Carson Trainer. Vickers is a returning letter winner.
There are likely to be some growing pains due to graduated players and transfers, however. Senior forward Paul Butterman graduated, and the team loses a player who was a three-time letter winner and starter, who was named Second Team All-KMAC and Second Team All-District. The Indians will need a find to way to make up for the 11 points, five boards and two assists per game he provided.
Elijah Chafin is a junior point guard who transferred, and his statistical contributions will be missed. The two-time First Team All-KMAC player and First Team All-District 11 player averaged 16 points, three rebounds and a pair of assists per game.
The team also lost guard Colson Chapman to graduation and sophomore Aaron Rogers to a transfer.
“As in the past, I think the KMAC is going to have many teams battling for a conference title,” Strasser said. “It is never easy in this conference. If I have to pick one favorite, the Freddies have a group of seniors returning along with one of the best players in the conference (Kaid Carpenter). But like I said, every game is going to be a grind, and we have to be ready to bring it every night. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
On Dec. 6, Mount Gilead will open its KMAC conference season at Northmor.
