By Perry Swack – Sporting Times Reporter
Greenwood Gators
Record last season: 17-14
Postseason finish: Lost in 14th District Semifinals
Will McCoy returns to Greenwood for his second season at the helm with high expectations this winter. The Gators have been a 3-seed in three of the last four 14th District Tournaments dating back to 2017 – the last time GHS reached the 4th Region Tournament. With an ever-changing district landscape, McCoy and the Gators hope they can make it back to Diddle Arena for the 4th Region Tournament this March.
Players to Watch
All-Region Second Team selection Cade Stinnett returns for his junior season after a breakout sophomore campaign. The talented guard averaged 15.6 points per game to lead the Gators. He also recorded nearly 5 rebounds per game, the best returning average on the team. His 153 free throws made and 218 free throw attempts were ranked amidst the state leaders. Stinnett’s ability to penetrate opposing defenses paved the way for Greenwood to field three players with at least 50 three-pointers made. Senior guard Marc Grant averaged 10 points per game and splashed in 70 three-pointers on 34% shooting from behind the arc. Stinnett and Grant will be called upon to lead the Gators after graduating leading rebounder Ben Carroll and leading three-point shooter Noah Stansbury, who graduated early to begin his collegiate career at WKU.
X-Factors
Junior guards Brakton Stinnett and Will Gaddis appeared in nearly every single game a season ago and will play major roles moving forward in 2021. They only averaged a combined 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 2019-20, but the duo will be X-Factors this season as the look to help the Gators to the top of the 14th District. Fellow junior Jax Buchanon will look to provide minutes in the most, along with sophomore Lofton Howard.
Dates to Circle
January 8 vs. Bowling Green – Opening week we will see top 14th District clubs battle head-to-head
February 19 vs. Warren Central – The Gators’ ability to beat the Dragons will show us if they are for real this season
March 5 vs. Owensboro Catholic – Gators welcome Tim Riley and the 3rd Region champions to The Swamp
Consider This
Greenwood – playing in the ever-tough 14th District – struggled to reach the region tournament last decade. In fact, it only reached the event twice – 2013 and 2017. Conversely, in the decade prior, the Gators played in four region tournaments (2002, 2006, 2007, 2008). GHS has a great chance to get back to Diddle Arena in 2021.
Watch Greenwood Gator Basketball Live on STFANCLUB.com . Download the Sporting Times app on ROKU or Amazon Fire TV and watch the game on the big screen.
