Tornadoes looking to improve behind experienced lineup
ZANESVILLE - Josh Middleton has emphasized the importance of being stronger, physically and mentally, to his West Muskingum squad.
The third-year coach hopes his team responds to that message.
“We need to have mental toughness and fight through adversity,” Middleton said. “We didn’t outrebound anyone last year so we have to do a better job on the glass and need to play tougher in the post on both ends of the floor.”
The post play will be led by 6-4 senior Drew McKenzie, a four-year varsity contributor who missed the start of last season with an injury. He averaged nearly 10 points and eight rebounds per game.
Juniors Grant Murrey and Ian Myers give the Tornadoes depth in the paint.
“We have to get touches down low to Drew and allow our shooters to move off of him,” Middleton said.
West Muskingum’s strength will remain with its guards, led by seniors Gunner Hazen and Drake Dodson. Hazen led the team with 13.6 points per game, while both shot better than 30 percent from behind the arc.
Juniors Kyle Lones, Luke Scott and Matt Burnett will also be part of the rotation, and classmates Owen Iden and Ethan Reilly round out the roster.
“We have depth to go with being more athletic and having more scorers,” Middleton said. “Players like Grant and Matt will come off the bench and can make some hustle plays and give us some toughness.
“We have the talent to score, but we have to rebound and get stops on the defensive end,” he added. “We have to come out and play hard.”
While the Muskingum Valley League is deep with several teams contending, Middleton hopes the Tornadoes can climb the standings and be a factor in the league race and in the tournament.
“I believe our guys have that desire to turn the corner and to win,” he said. “We have to rebound and do the little things better. If we can do those things, we should be in every game, and it will have us ready for the tournament.”
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Roster
No. | Name | Ht. | Class |
0 | Drew McKenzie | 6-4 | Sr. |
1 | Grant Murrey | 6-2 | Jr. |
2 | Luke Scott | 5-10 | Jr. |
3 | Drake Dodson | 5-9 | Sr. |
4 | Owen Iden | 5-11 | Jr. |
5 | Kyle Lones | 5-11 | Jr. |
10 | Matt Burnett | 5-9 | Jr. |
11 | Ian Myers | 6-0 | Jr. |
14 | Gunner Hazen | 6-0 | Sr. |
30 | Ethan Reilly | 5-7 | Jr. |
Schedule
Dec. 2 at Liberty Union
Dec. 3 at Ridgewood
Dec. 6 at Philo
Dec. 9 New Lexington
Dec. 13 at Maysville
Dec. 16 John Glenn
Dec. 20 Crooksville
Dec. 27 Coshocton
Jan. 3 at Tri-Valley
Jan. 6 Morgan
Jan. 10 at Sheridan
Jan. 13 Lakewood
Jan. 14 Richmond Edison (Route 40 Classic)
Jan. 20 Philo
Jan. 24 Maysville
Jan. 27 at John Glenn
Jan. 31 at Crooksville
Feb. 3 at Licking Valley
Feb. 7 Tri-Valley
Feb. 10 at Morgan
Feb. 14 at New Lexington
Feb. 17 Sheridan