STACYVILLE, Maine — Finding new athletes to replace the loss of six players to graduation will be among the top priorities of Katahdin boys basketball coach James McNally this season.
Entering his third season with the program, coach McNally has a much younger squad this season, with just one senior on the roster, but that does not necessarily mean the team is in a complete rebuild.
“It will be in part a rebuilding year, but at the same time have the talent to develop, win some games and get into the playoffs/tournament,” the coach said. “We would love to get back to Bangor for a second straight season.”
Last year, the Cougars finished 13-5 in the regular season and earned a bye directly to Bangor as the No. 3 seed in Class D North. It marked the first time in five years that the Cougars made an appearance in Bangor. Katahdin lost to No. 6 Machias 56-47.
Katahdin lost six players to graduation, Hunter Craig, Andrew Cummings, Cooper Drew, Brody Guiggey, Rig Otero and Chase Tapley, who provided the bulk of the team’s scoring and leadership.
The 2018-19 roster features senior John McNally; juniors Bryce Sinclair, Caleb Giles and Blake Howes; sophomores Wesley Richardson, Kaden McNally; and freshmen Justin Hulbert, Bradley Bailey and Erick Cummings.
The likely starting five will feature John McNally, Giles, and Howes, along with a combination of Bryce Sinclair, Kaden McNally, and Wesley Richardson.
The team’s returning leading scorer is John McNally, the coach’s son, who averaged six points as a starter. At 6-feet, 3-inches, he is the Cougars tallest player and should be a dominant post player. Giles and Howes both saw significant playing time last season and will be counted on to pick up some of the overall leadership and scoring this season.
“John will be our primary presence inside,” the coach said. “He continues to work to become more productive on the interior. He is a big strong kid who rebounds well, has a good shot and looks for his teammates well.”
“Caleb can get to the rim, is a good shooter, and loves the game,” the coach added “Blake is a great leader, and a tough kid who does a lot of the dirty work for us. He rebounds well for his size, outlets well moving up the floor, and finds ways to score.”
Sinclair will see his first significant time at the varsity level this year. “Bryce has a knack for getting to the ball, has a decent shot and is long-armed and can become a capable rebounder,” the coach said.
Kaden McNally (not a direct relative of the coach) and Richardson will see plenty of action this season. “Both are eager learners, have a mix of skills in place to build on and will provide needed shooting and athleticism,” the coach said.
Lane will provide good depth at the guard positions as a hard-nosed defender and will also be seeing his first playing time at the varsity level. Freshmen Hulbert, Bailey and Cummings are new additions to the program.
“Justin is already 6-2 as a freshman, listens well, works hard, and is developing a good touch around the basket,” the coach said. “Bradley is a very athletic and quick kid who has a ton of potential. Erick is tough nosed post-player, a good rebounder, and brings a lot of energy to the team.”
Among the team’s strengths will be its ability to be interchangeable, with many of the players able to fill multiple positions on the court. “We won’t necessarily be relying on any one player to carry us during the season,” the coach said. “We have some decent shooting ability and it is a really good group of kids that get along well and have good attitudes. They are very coachable.”
The Cougars will need to continuously focus and work on rebounding fundamentals, according to their coach. “While we have some size, we are not real big, nor do we have a lot of size depth on the roster,” he said.
In McNally’s opinion, Schenck, Jonesport-Beals, Woodland, and Greater Houlton Christian Academy will be the teams to beat in Class D North. “SACS, Easton, and Deer Isle may be able to challenge them, while Van Buren is the sleeper,” he said.
