Bobcats hopeful with deep roster
By Lawson Jones for the register-herald
After losing only one player and gaining a few , Summers County is hopeful for success this season .
Summers County lost Bryson Keaton at the conclusion of last season . Coach Robert Bowling feels the team is doing well working through the absence .
“ Bryson had been around for four years and really improved over that time . I think that he ’ d kind of taken on a leadership role last year and with having seven seniors now , the roles are changing a little bit ,” Bowling said .
Summers County has quite a few players returning again this season . Bowling said having so much experience back will be beneficial .
“ We are much further ahead with practice than we were this time last year . They know better where to be . They know what we call things . I ’ ve been really pleased with practice so far ,” Bowling said .
Bowling feels one of the team ’ s biggest strengths is its depth .
“ We ’ ve got probably 11 guys right now that we would feel comfortable playing in a varsity game . We ’ re just trying to sort out their roles and see how all that works together ,” Bowling stated .
Cruz Testerman , a senior , returns for the Bobcats . This will be Cruz ’ s second year as a Bobcat after transferring from Mercer Christian last year .
“ Cruz has had a good
44 • WV SOUTH BASKETBALL
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F . Brian Ferguson / For The Register-Herald
Summers County ’ s Sonny Whitt , right , races Midland Trail ’ s Matt Light for the ball Jan . 25 in Hico .
summer and has shot the ball well . I think he ’ s a lot more comfortable with what we ’ re trying to do this year . Having that year under his belt has made him more comfortable with what ’ s going on ,” said Bowling .
Duke Dodson , a senior , is also returning this season . Bowling sees Dodson as a leader on the court .
“ He ’ s kind of the vocal leader of that group . He ’ s not afraid to get on somebody , but he also provides a lot of energy ,” said Bowling
Senior Ethan Eerenberg returns for his third season . However , Eerenberg is currently recovering from a shoulder injury .
“ Ethan has been sort of limited to what he can do because of his injury , but he started some games for the past two years . He brings athleticism and speed to the position ,” Bowling said .
Senior Ferrell Mann is also returning for his third season .
“ Ferrell Mann is a really smart player . He has had a great summer and really improved since last year . I think he ’ s a lot more comfortable with playing at this level ,” Bowling said .
Senior Sonny Whitt came back out for the Bobcats again this season .
“ Sonny Whitt provides us with some experience in the backcourt . He ’ s a good rebounder for his size ,” Bowling said .
Peyton Miller will be Summers County ’ s only four-year player this season . Bowling spoke on Miller ’ s dedication .
“ I think Peyton has really gotten better athletically . He ’ s faster and he shoots the ball pretty well from the perimeter . Peyton is a bigger kid that can stretch the floor ,” Bowling said .
Of the seven seniors , the only one who is new to the team is Michael Judy , a transfer from Greater Beckley Christian .
“ I think Michael has a good feel for the game and even though he ’ s new , he seems to have fit in well with the other seniors ,” Bowling said .
Summers County has three juniors who will play a significant role for the Bobcats this season . Bowling commented on each .
Brandan Isaac is one of those juniors . Isaac has been starting since his freshman year .
“ This will be Brandan ’ s third year with us and he ’ s started a bunch of games the past two years . He ’ s grown a lot . I thought he had a good summer . He ’ s physically developed some , which I think has helped his game . We ’ re glad that he ’ s healthy . Brandan is a very heady player , a smart guy and makes a lot of good decisions .”
Ben Lane also returns . Bowling feels his speed is especially beneficial to the team .
“ Ben is one of our fastest players . He has some good wheels , is a great defender and a very aggressive shooter .”
Junior Ayden Plumley is a name many won ’ t recognize . Although currently injured , Plumley should be stepping up for the Bobcats and will have more varsity minutes this season .
“ Ayden dislocated a finger and we ’ re waiting to see where he ’ s at . He has a knack for scoring , so I think we can use him in that role . We ’ re just hoping that he gets back healthy pretty soon ,” said Bowling .
This season , the Bobcats will have sophomore Ryan Oliveros as well . Bowling commented on the skills he brings to the team .
“ Ryan has grown a lot both physically and mentally since last year . He has really good passing skills , uses his quickness well , can be a very good defender , and is just another layer of depth for this team ,” Bowling said .
“ This is probably perhaps the deepest team that I ’ ve ever had as the head coach and maybe the 20 years that I ’ ve been involved with this program .”