Mount Vernon's success on the hardwood this season could come down to the fact that the Jackets have a lot of boys who've been there before.
Mount Vernon’s boys basketball team finished two games out of the top spot in the Ohio Cardinal Conference last season with a 6-6 mark. The Yellow Jackets were swept by Ashland and split with the five remaining North Central Ohio opponents, finishing the season 11-12 following a tournament loss to Newark.
Jackets coach Nick Coon is relying on five senior returning lettermen to make this season memorable. Ben Bridges, Caden Rowland, Trevor Buttke, Cooper Carpenter and Hudson Rohler all return to the fold. Additional support comes from seniors Braylon Clinedinst and Logan Trace, juniors Andrew Burke and Jack Marhefka and sophomore Quentin Rowland.
A senior-heavy roster provides a great deal of leadership on the floor and in the locker room.
“Our senior class has invested a lot of time and energy into our program over the years,” Coon said. “ We are looking for them to lead us as a whole while also getting strong contributions from our younger classes.”
Mount Vernon players want to get the most out of themselves as a team.
“This season, we are trying to maximize our moments together,” Coon said. “Whether that is on or off the basketball floor, we want to get the best out of this season with each other.”
Coon, who has coached at Mount Vernon for 12 years, begins his eighth year as head coach. In his current position, he has learned to adapt his coaching methodology to meet the needs of the program.
“My coaching philosophies stem from some of the many great coaches that I was able to play for and coach with,” Coon said. “However, our philosophies in our program are constantly adjusting as we are always trying to find ways to elevate our program and the way we do things.”
This year, the Yellow Jackets will rely on an upbeat style of play offensively, defensively and in transition.
“We want to play an aggressive and up-tempo style both offensively and defensively,” Coon said. “We want to be on the attack with the basketball.”
The coaching staff looks for balanced scoring and efficient use of their personnel over the course of the season.
“We want to have a balance that is able to score efficiently inside, outside and at the free-throw line," Coon said. “Defensively, we will mix our defenses to play to the strengths of our players and our different lineups we put on the floor.”
Coon wants his team to approach each day by trying to exemplify core values of being prepared, committed and passionate.
“If we are consistent with that mindset, we believe we will maximize our moments as a collective group,” he said.
In addition to a rugged OCC schedule, the Yellow Jackets' nonconference schedule features games against Centerburg, Johnstown, Delaware, Newark, Olentangy Berlin, Marion Harding, Northridge and Watkins Memorial.
A former member of the OCC, New Philadelphia returns to the conference this year for a pair of games.
Mount Vernon opened the season at home on Nov 23 with a 57-39 win over Centerburg.
