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Franklin County returns a heap of playmakers including 1,000-point scorer Bentley Huff on a Lions team fresh off an Elite 8 run. This team is as formidable as any, and will look to peak at the right time around February and into March.
PRESEASON INFO
2024-25 Record: 15-15; State Elite 8
Head Coach: Jason Shaver (12th Season)
Returning Starters: 3 (5 with starting experience)
Key Departures: Frae’Quane Wilkins (Southwestern Iowa), Mylan Roebuck (Emmanuel), Carson Coulter, Boston Rosene
Key Players: Bentley Huff – SR (3x All-Region, 1K Pt Scorer), Hudson Huff – SO (All-Region), Nava Ware – SR, Jeremiah Mayfield, Sam Shaver – SO, Drake Nix – FR
Huff is a 1,000-point scorer who is a 3-time All-Region selection and ‘tough as nails’ according to Shaver. Hudson Huff averaged 17 points per game as a freshman, and Nava Ware comes over from basketball as a rebounding matching and defender. Jeremiah Mayfield was a major contributor down the stretch, Sam Shaver averaged 18 points on JV last year as an outside shooter, and Drake Nix is a 6’6 freshman center with a lot of potential.
Offense: “Pace and space, ball movement and player movement are points of emphasis,” says Shaver.
Strengths: “Shooting, ball handling, intensity.”
Biggest Challenges: “We play in a VERY tough region! and we play a very tough schedule but we do that to prepare for February and beyond.”
“Last year’s team advanced to the State Elite 8, only to lose a hard fought game at Butler, the eventual state champion,” exclaims Shaver. “We were down four in the fourth with four minutes left and had the ball, just came up a little short. But this team is not looking back resting on last year. They are working as hard as ever in the weight room and on the court. We have several players playing football (six varsity guys) so it will take a little bit to get on the same page, but we are hoping to be playing our best ball in February and beyond. But again, we know nothing is given, so we put our head down and work!”
