Photo by Brian Hoffman
With a 6-17 overall record, the James River boys failed to make the Region 2C basketball tournament for the second year in a row, but coach Ethan Humphries has high hopes for the future.
The Knights will graduate just one player from this year’s team, senior Kody Park. Among the returnees is Three Rivers District honorable mention selection Ryder Ward, who averaged 11 points and four rebounds per game.
“We have a good mix coming back next year but we understand a year older doesn’t mean a year better without some sweat equity,” said Humphries. “We are all excited and hungry about getting back to work later this spring in pursuit of our goal.”
The Three Rivers was a tough draw this season and River failed to win a district game. Floyd County is the top-seed in the region tournament, Glenvar is fourth and a strong Radford team was no higher than seventh. That doesn’t count Carroll County and Alleghany, who will represent the district in Class 3 Region tournaments.
“We want more than anything to get back into the postseason,” said Humphries. “It’ll be the only thing on our mind this offseason. To do that we’ll need to be better coaches and players, but this year’s experiences and lessons are ones we are truly grateful for. Our guys’ commitment level regardless of results was admirable. What we do on a daily basis is extremely hard and not a lot of people sign up for it.”
