Thursday, November 30,  2006

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by Lloyd Combs
Sports Reporter
   Twin Valley came within an eyelash of crossing the finish line first in last year’s state finals.
   Despite losing a ton of talent from that team, however, the Panthers aren’t exactly starting this season from scratch.
  Expectations remain high at Twin Valley, despite the loss of four starters who together scored over 4,000 points in a combined 15 years at the varsity level.
  How well the Panthers meet those expectations will depend on how well several new starters and varsity newcomers perform.
  The two top returnees play the two most important positions on a basketball court, center and point guard.
  Big man Matthew Baldwin averaged 15 points and 12 rebounds last season and the 6-foot-7 senior is widely regarded as the best post player in the area.
  Meanwhile, last year’s sixth man, 6-foot sophomore Garrett Horne, could develop into one of the premier lead guards in the region.
  "We’ve got two key positions anchored down pretty well," Twin Valley coach Brian Moore said. "If they had to choose, most coaches would like to have their point guard and big man back. Hopefully, we can fill the other three spots by committee till everybody finds their roles."
  While the Panthers develop steady third and fourth options offensively, Baldwin may have to produce more, even though defenses will be designed to deny him the ball on a nightly basis.
  "We’ll have to be pretty creative as far as ways to get (Baldwin) the ball," Moore added. "We’re hoping to get the other guys in position to be effective doing what they do best. In the long run, though, we can’t rely on one or two people. It has to be a collective team effort."

For more of the story, see the print edition of the Mountaineer, on sale at newsstands now.  For more information on how to subscribe to the Mountaineer, call 276-935-2123 today.

Honaker's Returning Experience Gives Them Hope and A Spot Atop the BDD

by Lloyd Combs
Sports Reporter
   They have the athletes, the experience, the size, and they have the outside shooting.
  But, more importantly, the Honaker Tigers have the hunger, especially after a hot streak during the regular season gave the Tigers hope for a regional playoff berth last year.
  Those hopes were dashed with a loss to Haysi in the BDD semifinals, but five key returnees and a couple of promising newcomers are determined to finish the job this season.
  Two BDD coaches believe they can do just that, giving Honaker a first-place vote over defending champ Twin Valley in a pre-season poll. Second-year coach Waylon Hart, a former Honaker standout, could not vote for his own club in the poll, but he does not disagree with those who did.
  "I think we can contend for the district title and make it to the regionals," Hart said. "I think it’s a realistic goal. We were disappointed we didn’t make it last year."

For more of the story, see the print edition of the Mountaineer, on sale at newsstands now.  For more information on how to subscribe to the Mountaineer, call 276-935-2123 today.