The River View boys basketball team has a roster full of upperclassmen. Unfortunately for veteran coach Roger Hale, the returning group is light on experience.
“I lost about 85 percent of my scoring from that roster last year. I basically have two boys returning that had varsity minutes,” Hale said. “I basically had a starting six last year. The four that graduated and the two returning. All six rotated starting last year.”
The two returning players that saw significant varsity minutes a year ago are juniors Ashton Hunt and Kaiden Newberry. The guard tandem combined to average 18 points per game last year.
“Hunt played point a lot for us last year, but I would like to move him to the (wing) this year, if (Braeden) Rose plays the point,” Hale said. “Both Hunt and Newberry played significant minutes last year and will be keys to how we play this year. They are quick and shoot the ball well from (behind the arc).”
Rose played mainly JV last year and Hale is looking for him and Hunt to be interchangeable pieces this year.
“I also have junior Waylon Danielson, the little brother of Jackson who was our leading scorer last year,” Hale said. “He will play guard for us. I am not comfortable at the point guard position right now, but when I get a little more comfortable there, I feel like we will play better.”
Size will not be an issue for River View who will be led by sophomore Payton Proffitt, standing 6-foot-7.
“Payton played mainly JV last year, but we will count on him a lot. If he doesn’t start, he will be pushing,” Hale said. “I also have two seniors that I will count on in Jaytex Hatfield, who is 6-foot-5 and Hunter Church, more of a solid (center). He is only 6-foot-1, but really broad.”
Hale is also hoping to benefit from a group of seniors that have not played high school basketball before this year, including football standout Chanton Davis.
“Chanton was our leading running back in football. Very athletic and shoots the ball really well,” Hale said. “He hasn’t played since middle school, but when he gets up to speed he could be pushing for a starting position.”
The freshman group is also very talented according to the veteran coach and includes quarterback James Delong.
“He will probably play some minutes on varsity. He is that talented,” Hale said about Delong. “There will be a transition, but so far, he has looked good in practice. He may be strictly varsity by the end of the season.”
River View hopes to ride the success of the football teams which returned to the state playoffs this year for the first time since 2012. The basketball team is hoping to garner it first state tournament appearance in school history.
“We are way behind with limited experience and people playing new roles this year,” Hale said. “We will definitely be learning all season.”
River View opens the season Saturday, Dec. 14 at East Ridge, KY.
