After the program’s first postseason victory in seven seasons in last year’s district tournament, the Trigg County boys’ basketball team returns in 2023-24 with scoring holes to fill and a large senior class hoping to provide the answers as the Wildcats look to deny Lyon County a sixth-straight 5th District title.
Three of the top-five scorers are gone from last season’s team that finished 15-17 before losing to Henderson County in the first round of the 2nd Region tournament. Luke Washer was second in scoring and rebounding, Hunter Reynolds was the Wildcats’ most potent threat from the outside with a team-high 69 three-point makes, and Aquarius Gude added almost eight points per game from the point guard spot.
Coach Mason Burgett will lean heavily on an eight-man senior class in his second season on the sideline, headlined by All-2nd Region selection Jhaden Vaughn. Vaughn averaged a double-double as a junior, posting just a shade over 17 points and 12.6 rebounds per outing.
Fellow senior Landon Stewart was third on the team in scoring with 10.4 points per game and knocked down 50 three-pointers a year ago. Jerimyah Shearer added almost seven points and three rebounds, and Kahmani Bush will be called on to play a bigger role on the perimeter. Also, Luke Terrell has the size to help fill the hole in the paint.
Six juniors round out the upperclassmen for the Wildcats, led by guard Lance Breckel and newcomer Joshaun Bridges. Caleb Fogel will also provide depth in the backcourt.
As the lone underclassman on the Wildcats’ varsity roster, Davaree Gude looks set to make a big jump after averaging a couple of points and a rebound as a freshman.
A matchup with last season’s 2nd-Region runners-up Hopkinsville awaits in Tuesday’s season opener. The Tigers have dominated the series between the teams, winning 14 straight dating back to 2006.
Trigg will host the annual KME Classic on December 21 and 22, before traveling to Evensville, TN for the Rhea County Christmas Classic to close out the year.
5th-District play begins on December 8 with a trip to face Crittenden County. The Wildcats ended a three-game losing streak against the Rockets with a 57-49 victory in the first round of last year’s district tournament.
After a scrimmage last week with visiting Hopkins County Central, Coach Burgett previewed the 23-24 Wildcats.
