Michael Fraliex is hoping his third season at Hopkins County Central is the charm as the Storm looks to challenge in the district and the region this season.
The former Caldwell County High School and Western Kentucky University standout has been putting his system into place in Mortons Gap the past two seasons and believes his squad will reap the benefits in 2021-22.
“We return all of our starters from a year ago. We will have four of them back next season as well,” Fraliex noted. “We are a year older, if you can really count last season due to playing only 12 games due to quarantines.”
The Storm went 4-8 during the regular season before falling to Caldwell County in the 7th District tournament semifinals. However, Hopkins Central was 4-4 in its final eight regular-season games and will look to build on that finish this season.
Marcus Eaves, a 6-foot-3 junior guard leads the Storm after averaging a team-best 17.3 points a game and grabbing a team-high 7.4 rebounds a game.
“He should have a big season,” said Fraliex.
Eaves’ older brother, Jaiveon, is a former standout at Madisonville-North Hopkins, scoring over 1,600 points as a Maroon before going on to play at Murray State University.
The younger Eaves will be joined in the backcourt at Hopkins Central by junior Trevor Weldon and sophomore Drake Skeen.
Weldon netted 8.9 points a game a year ago while Skeen scored 7.1.
Wesley Morris will man the four spot for the Storm after getting 8.4 points a night last season.
Six-foot-four junior Namari Hall will play the five.
“We hope Namari has a huge coming-out season,” said Fraliex.
Hall figures to improve on his 3.9 points and 5.5 boards a game from last year.
Hopkins Central may need to develop some depth, but it’s starting five should be competitive with most everyone on most nights.
“Our goal is to improve each time out,” said Fraliex. “Compete for a district title and hopefully find a way into the regional tournament.”
Like everyone else in the district, the Storm will be chasing Madisonville-North Hopkins and trying to end the Maroons’ 12-year stranglehold on the 7th District championship.
Hopkins Central will open its season at home on Tuesday as part of a girls and boys varsity doubleheader against Lyon County.
With the Lyons among the top contenders in the 2nd Region this season, that will be a very early test for the Storm.
“This is our third year together. So we are hoping for a big jump as far as improvement goes,” said Fraliex. “We are excited. The guys are working hard. We don’t believe we are the same ol’ Central people have become accustomed to.”
