An eraser is defined as an object, a piece of soft rubber or plastic, used to rub out something written.
The Yellow Jackets Boys Basket ball team took a giant eraser to wipe away the memory of last season and now have a clean slate to redesign into an intricate Hive filled with more victories this year.
Moorefield Boys Basketball head coach Scott Stutler enters his fourth season in charge and will have assistant coach Jared Wratchford helping the Yellow Jackets create new possibilities.
After a disappointing early exit from the playoffs last season to Harman in the quarterfinals, the Yellow Jackets are buzzing with inspiration on a clean slate of hardwood flying to redemption in March.
“I’m excited for a new season, we have a lot of returners back and look to take a step in the right direction as a program. We had a good summer and the kids have been working hard so hopefully it will payoff,” Moorefield coach Scott Stutler commented.
“Our goal is always to [private]continue to get better throughout the season and have a chance to compete and win during Tournament time.”
Moorefield seniors Thomas Williams, Chase Vance, Brent Moran, Lane Ours, Addison Barb and Yosef Malaki-Tesfamichael are preparing to guide the Hive squad to new heights.
Williams, an All-PVC guard, was a dangerous threat at the perimeter last season leading the team with 71 3-pointers made and averaged 15 points per game and was a pesky defender.
Moran, a guard, knows how to deliver the ball whether cutting to the basket making no-look passes or zipping the ball around the key as the team’s leader in assists with three per game, but made the running jumpers to maintain 10 points per game on average.
Vance, an All-PVC guard, was tenacious on the court crashing the boards for a team-best five rebounds per game complimenting an offensive attack of 11 points per game including long range shots and sparked the defense with takeaways.
Ours, a forward, is a physical presence for the Yellow Jackets in the paint fighting for rebounds and forcing defenses to alter plays.
Barb, a guard, is one of the most energetic players despite a shorter stature, has proven to be one of the fastest players and quite accurate from the perimeter line.
Malaki-Tesfamichael, a forward, has been developing into a solid shooter dialing up long distance and has become a good presence in the paint.
Moorefield junior Jaydon See, a center, is an all-around shooter drilling 3-pointers or crashing into the basket depending on the situation and has a strong build as a football player for rebounding and being a physical presence for Moorefield.
The Yellow Jackets have quickness throughout the lineup and jump shooting that will provide an edge this season in varsity and junior varsity games.
The remaining roster for Moorefield includes: junior Trevor Shoemaker, sophomores Blake Funk, Levi Thompson, Coleman Mongold, Bryce Hines, Dean Keplinger, Silas Inskeep, Karson Reed and Ryan McGregor plus freshmen Jarrett Carr, Michael Campbell, Bereket Habtamu and Payton Eye.
Blake Funk, Mongold, Hines, Keplinger, McGregor and Reed displayed good speed on the court and precision perimeter shooting last season with that experience under their belts and will create positive outcomes this year.
Moorefield starts the season on the road at Pocahontas County on December 11 and the home opener will be on January 7 against Tucker County.
The Class A Potomac Valley Conference opponents are Pocahontas County, Union, Paw Paw, East Hardy, Pendleton County and Tucker County.
The Yellow Jackets visit East Hardy on December 21 and host the Cougars on February 21.
Moorefield will be participating in the Petersburg Holiday Tournament on December 27-28.
Moorefield faces four Class AA schools this season: Frankfort, Berkeley Springs, Robert C. Byrd and Petersburg.
The Yellow Jackets face one out-of-state team which is Strasburg, Va. on January 4 in Rams country and back in the Hive on January 16.
The regular season home finale will be against Frankfort on February 25.
The buzz in the Hive is growing as the Yellow Jackets are swarming together for a successful season.
Moorefield Coach Scott Stutler took a moment to answer the following questions:
How crucial is it to grab rebounds in the game and what are the keys to countering the height of other teams?
If we don’t rebound, we won’t win games. Rebounding is about desire, not so much size.
How important is perimeter shooting?
It’s important to shoot the ball well so that we can spread the floor.
Does man or zone defense work best for your team?
We will run both, just depends on the match up and what we think will work best.
How is the team chemistry this season?
It’s good, they have been playing together for a while now so they get along well.
What impresses you the most about your team?
Right now the intensity they have been bringing to practice. They know they have to practice hard to get better and they have been excelling in that area.
What are the attributes of your players?
Chase Vance is a versatile player that can play in the post or hit 3 pointers, he will be a 3 year starter.
Thomas Williams is a 3-point threat that can shoot from anywhere on the court, he will also be a 3 year starter.
Brent Moran is a 3 year starter that brings energy and grit to the team. He can finish at the rim and plays good defense.
Lane Ours is a senior that will bring energy to the defensive side of the ball, he will also be counted on to be a rebounder.
Yosef Malaki is a senior that has improved tremendously the last couple years. He can finish at the rim and also shoot the ball well from 3.
Addison Barb is a senior that can shoot the ball well and can also be a playmaker on offense.
How do you feel about your overall schedule, are there any new teams or tournaments?
I think we have a pretty good schedule. If we can come out and compete every night, we should be ready come tournament time.[/private]