KEYS COUGARS

BOYS

Coach: Greg Barnes

22-23 Record: 19-6

Even though there will be several new faces taking the court for the Cougars, experience remains for coach Greg Barnes squad to give reinforcement to the team motto “tradition never graduates” a statement of expectation for the 2023-24 season.  Three-yearstarter Garin Barnes (6-4, Sr.), a VYPE Top 100 selection who averaged 8.4 points while collecting 7-plus rebounds last year has the ability to play and produce inside the lane as well as outside the 3-point line.

 “His basketball IQ gives Garin the ability to play anywhere on the floor,” said the Cougars coach.“ First off the bench last year as a freshman, Joe Green (6-3, So.) will jump into the first five rotation of players for coach Barnes, who described Green as a mobile guard-forward combo that can beat the defender off the dribble to finish at the rim as well as score from the perimeter. “Joe averaged about 14 minutes a game as a freshman,” said Barnes, “and has put in the extra work to improve his game to start this season.” Austin Davis (5-10, Sr.) provides a thick body presence in the lane who, as Barnes describes as a player that will aggressively pick up the trash around the basket scoring and compete for rebounds on both ends of the floor. “We are starting to come together with good team chemistry, said Barnes. “I like the way we rebound the ball, play with a lot of pace up and down the floor, and have good depth.” The added contributions of Nathan Rogers (6-1, Jr.), David Peterson (6-0, So.), Ben Kimble (6-1, So.), Aiden Hooper (5-11, Fr.) and Chase Jones (6-0, So.) will provide a big lift to Barnes efforts to replace the graduation losses of seven seniors from a year ago.