Former Caldwell County standout Michael Fraliex is still working on turning around the boys’ basketball program at Hopkins County Central.
The Storm took a step in the right direction over the last half of last season, going 8-8 after starting the season 0-13.
The highlight of the season came during one seven-game stretch from Jan. 16-Feb. 7 where the Storm won six of seven outings.
The rebuilding process continues this year, but Hopkins Central has a number of promising younger players with which to work.
“We are an extremely young basketball team,” said Fraliex, “returning two starters, Marcus Eaves and Trevor Weldon.”
Eaves, now a 6-foot-3 sophomore, scored 8.3 points a game last season and should anchor the backcourt for the Storm for the coming years. Look for his point production to increase this season.
Eaves’ older brother Jaiveon was a standout at Madisonville-North Hopkins, scoring over 1,600 points in high school before going on to play at Murray State University.
Meanwhile, Weldon is an athletic kid who was goalkeeper on the Storm soccer team. He netted 4.8 points a game a year ago.
After those two, Fraliex will work in some mostly new faces to the varsity squad.
“We have a number of guys that could contribute besides Marcus and Trevor,” said Fraliex.
“We have a transfer, Namari Hall, a big kid inside. Extremely athletic.”
Hall, at 6-4 junior, will be Hopkins Central’s tallest player and will be a key part of the offense. He was at University Heights Academy in Hopkinsville last season.
“Nyeem Peyton, another sophomore, will be asked to do a lot for us,” said Fraliex.
“Wesley Morris is a senior that struggled with some injuries last year but looks really good preseason.”
Those guys should make the Storm competitive, with Fraliex looking to build some depth on the bench.
“Most of the load will be on Marcus Eaves, Wesley Morris, Trevor Weldon and Namari Hall,” noted Fraliex, who said Hopkins Central should have “some good kids coming off the bench.
“We have a really good class of sophomores and freshman. We are excited about the future.”
Fraliex, who had a stellar playing career at Western Kentucky University, is beginning his second season as head coach of the Storm.
“Our goal this season is to compete, grow our chemistry and improve each and every time out,” he said. “It’s gonna be tough on all teams this year trying to avoid COVID and the dreaded quarantines. Who knows what it will end up looking like? We are excited and ready to get it started.”
