Matt McGowan has a couple of interesting issues to coach through this year as Heritage Christian Academy makes the move into the Kentucky High School Athletic Association.
The first is how the Warriors will adjust to the upgrade in competition. And make no mistake, Heritage Christian is not backing away from playing anyone. The Warriors have Madisonville and Henderson County on their schedule in the first week of the season. They also have games with University Heights Academy and Trigg County later in the season and will compete in the All A Classic region tournament in January.
McGowan feels all of this will not only make his team better as they strive to compete for a Kentucky Christian Athletic Association state championship but build a program that will begin competing for a KHSAA district title in 2023–24.
The other problem McGowan has is how to keep a roster that has eight seniors and four juniors happy with only five starting positions and one basketball.
Four of Heritage Christian Academy’s returning starters are in that senior class. Trenton Hayes was the second-leading scorer for the Warriors last year and will share some of the point guard duties with another returning to senior, Matt Wills. Weston Powell was third on the team in scoring last year and was the team’s leading rebounder.
The 6-foot-3 Powell joins the 6-foot-4 Triston Folz and gives the Warriors some size that several Second Region schools don’t have.
Junior Carlos Robles, who was named both KCAA All-State and named to the all-state tournament team last year, is the motor that makes the Warrior vehicle go. He was among the state leaders in steals and assist last year.
Senior Zane Yates is one of the most improved players for Heritage Christian Academy and gives McGowan solid minutes off the bench on the frontcourt.
Freshman Jason Leek and Senior Carter Glover are two other guard options off the bench for McGowan. Sophomore Landen Wells, junior Trevor Gibson, and senior Eli Folz give the Warriors depth along the frontcourt.
This should be a fun transition year for Heritage Christian who will play a normal KCAA schedule along with KHSAA schools mixed in for the first time. In addition to the All A Classic, Heritage will also play in the KCAC Tournament in January if it doesn’t conflict with their play in the All A.
Two key areas to watch for Heritage will be turnovers and free throws. The Warriors are known to get sloppy with the basketball in their losses and shoot just 53% from the free-throw line as a team.
The Warriors have already played six games, winning four including the championship of the KCAA Tip-off Classic for the first time in nine years.
HCA will play at Madisonville Monday and host Montgomery Central on Tuesday before a long road trip to Henderson County next Saturday. There will be a lot of eyes on Heritage Christian Academy early in the season from region opponents, especially the All A schools.
