Matt Hargrove’s first season as boys’ basketball coach at his alma mater did not go the way he had hoped – 14 straight losses to wrap up a 5-22 campaign.
However, the Cardinal skipper has three of his top four scorers returning and a good mix of shooting and size that has his squad hoping for a winning record and a trip to the region tournament in 2023-24.
“We have some kids back that have been in the program for a few years now. This year we are a little older and we have several kids who gained a lot of experience last year so we are really hoping that translates to a lot more maturity this year to help us take a step forward,” Hargrove said.
6-foot-5 sophomore Logan Wring put together a solid campaign with 17 points and seven rebounds while shooting 52 percent from the field. Foul trouble adversely affected that stat line at times last year, but he should be ready to solidify his name among the best post players in the region.
Junior Mason Hargrove is back to run the point and carry out the offensive plan of his father on the hardwood. Hargrove averaged six points a game and shot 33 percent from 3-point range.
Also back for the Cardinals are a pair of starters from two years ago who saw their time cut short last year due to injury.
Junior Drew Hosick gives the Cardinals some more size inside. He was limited to just 15 games last year averaging four points as a freshman. Junior Jack Thomasson, who averaged six points as a freshman, played in just four games last year.
“We expect all four of these guys to lead us on a nightly basis and set the tone for the rest of the team,” said Hargrove, who has been high on the preseason play of Reese Davidson, Avery Zaim, and Zion Meyers.
“So far in our preseason scrimmages, we have been a team that has shared the ball really well and have had pretty balanced scoring. We have some things we need to clean up defensively but we have been pleased so far as coaches with what we have seen,” Hargrove added.
That progress is an important step for a Livingston Central team that has three district games among its first five outings.
“I want to see us compete and have a competitive attitude. It’s never easy to start out a year that way but you can’t back down from a challenge,” he said.
Livingston Central opens the new season on Nov. 28 at Fort Campbell.
