The Jenkins Basketball programs are looking to make their first regional tournament appearance since joining the 15th Region. After making great strides last season, could this be the year?
The Jenkins Lady Cavaliers finished the 2022-2023 season with a 9-22 record. After losing only one senior last season, Head Coach Wesley Bryant and these young Lady Cavaliers look to make even more progress this season.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING – A pair of juniors will be leading the charge for the Lady Cavaliers this season. Junior Alexis Ritchie was the teams second leading scorer by averaging 9.0 points per game last season. She also added a team high 8.6 rebounds per contest.
Junior Emma Stewart has continued to develop into an excellent player. Stewart was the teams third leading scorer with a 8.9 point per game average. She was also third on the team in rebounding 6.4 per game.
KEY LOSSES – The Lady Cavaliers graduated their leading scorer last season in Lindsey Rose. Rose averaged 14.5 point per game and 6.7 rebounds per game.
FINAL THOUGHTS – The Lady Cavaliers continue to develop but can they now take the next step to make the regional tournament. Guard play will be the key for Jenkins as who can step in and handle the pressure defense from the other 59th District opponents. It should be great to see this group continue to get better.
The Jenkins Cavaliers were much improved last season under first year Head Coach Winston Lee. Lee has worked hard to change the culture around the program and brings a winning attitude with him. The Cavaliers finished last season 7-22 and lost in the first round of district play to Pikeville.
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS – Dylan Tackett will be the teams leading returning scorer. Tackett averaged 7.6 points per game as a Junior. Now entering his senior season, the Cavaliers will depend more on him than ever. Kolby Stewart will return for his senior season and occupy the center position. Stewart averaged 5.7 points per game while grabbing 8 rebounds a game.
Jenkins received multiple transfers into the program over the summer. None were bigger than Sophomore 6’5″ guard Gavin Gibson and Junior 6’3″ guard Mason Webb both players transferred from Letcher County Central. Gibson is a long athletic player and Webb is a dangerous sharpshooter and we are looking for both to make an immediate impact.
Several incoming freshman athletes also selected Jenkins as the school they will attend to play high school basketball. Dorton big man Conner Rose, Letcher County’s Cam Eldridge and 8th grader Nate Webb will all see valuable minutes for the Cavaliers.
KEY LOSSES – The Cavaliers graduated their two leading scorers Isaiah Adams and Austin Johnson. Adams averaged 15.4 points per game while shooting 33.3% from the behind the arc. Adams an excellent free throw shooter attempted 103 free throws on the season shooting an impressive 73.8%. Austin Johnson, a long and athletic wing player, averaged 11.6 point per game and 6.4 rebounds per game.
FINAL THOUGHTS – Replacing the leadership of Adams and Johnson will be difficult. With the returning players and the transfers, Coach Winston Lee is quickly developing a team that can compete in the extremely competitive 59th District. The keys to success is can all these new players gel together to become a team and how quickly the young players can adjust to the speed of high level high school basketball. One thing is for sure, we are excited to see the progress of these Cavaliers this season.
Photos submitted
