Coming into last season, Anthony Babb knew his Hopkinsville squad was capable of contending for the region title. But early on, there was some doubt on whether the Tigers would even get out of the district.
However, the light bulb came on for the Tigers after an 11-point loss to Lyon County and a one-point loss to Owensboro in a three-day stretch in late January.
Hoptown recovered to win seven of its final nine games and took region champ Lyon County to the wire before falling 76-70 in the championship.
Always confident in his players, Babb feels like the Tigers can make a similar run in 2023-24 but knows it will come from mostly a new cast of characters.
“We’ve been having good workouts, and the kids have been competing every day. Everybody’s locked in so that’s always a plus. This group of kids I got now, they’re a special bunch,” Babb said.
The special part begins with senior guard Antonio Williams who had a breakout season with 18 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 55 percent from the field.
In Hoptown’s run to the region championship game, Williams averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds against Madisonville, Henderson County, and Lyon County in the region tourney.
Williams recently committed to Three Rivers College, which takes some stress away from his game to begin the season.
“I just look to have a leadership role, and still trust the guys,” said Williams who added he has worked on his jump shot more over the summer to improve his all-around game.
Babb knows the cat is out of the bag with Williams who won’t be below anyone’s radar this year.
“I’m expecting big things from Antonio. We know this guy right here is the man,” Babb said. “Antonio’s leadership has grown ever since last year when the season was over. I told him he has to lead by example and he’s more mature from last year.”
While teams will be focused on Williams, he has a supporting cast with little varsity experience but talent that could help Hoptown fly under the radar early in the season.
Senior DeReion Dudley will be looked at to run the point along with junior Jarae Leavell.
Joining them in the backcourt will be juniors Jonathon Hart and Artavius Moses, who both make the trek across town from Christian County where they played last year.
Babb is going to have one of Hoptown’s smaller teams in recent memory with Williams, 6-2 freshman TaShaun Quarles, and 6-1 Kentrell Adams the tallest players on the roster.
Despite a perceived lack of size, Babb thinks his squad will overcome that with effort.
“These guys are just locked in. We know we like to rebound. We talk about rebounds every day and they know it. They know that we have to crash the boards, even if you’re a guard, you got to get in there,” Babb said.
And once his guys crash the boards and get the rebound?
“We’re looking to get more possessions this year. We’re looking to get out and run when we need to run. But we also need to be patient and run the offense and spread the wealth. The guys have been getting in the gym and they’ve been putting in work,” Babb said.
Despite a young team, Hopkinsville’s schedule is loaded with First Region favorites McCracken County and Calloway County, Third Region challengers Owensboro, Muhlenberg County, and Ohio County as well as a home game with Male and former Hoptown coach Tim Haworth.
And of course, there’s the 8th District.
“We know this is tough. You got Heights, you got County, you got Hoptown, each one of us has won a state championship,” Babb said.
Hopkinsville begins its season on Tuesday with a home game against Trigg County.
