In a strange twist over the offseason, Hopkins County Central and Trigg County basically traded basketball coaches.
Mason Burgett was named the new head coach at Hopkins Central in March after Michael Fraliex resigned from that post. In April, Fraliex was selected to replace Burgett at his old job at Trigg County.
For Burgett, it’s a homecoming with the Storm.
Burgett was a starting guard at Hopkins Central as a senior in the 2016-17 season, scoring 12 points a game. He played for his father, Chad Burgett, who won the Storm’s only 2nd Region title as a coach in 2000.
In Mortons Gap, the younger Burgett will have two double-digit scorers returning with which to build around.
Davonyae Butcher is a junior guard who was second on the team at 16 points a game and shot almost 36 percent from 3-point range last season. Lake Sumner, a sophomore, saw lots of action as a freshman and scored 12 points a night.
Two other players with starting experience also return.
Sylas Gunn, a 6-foot-2 junior, is back along with 6-3 junior Cohl Hoard, who missed much of last season after having back surgery. They will provide an inside presence.
Karon Hopson, a 6-6 senior, brings some good size to the Storm lineup, while freshmen Vante Jagoe and Channing Stone will see significant minutes right away.
“Cohl Hoard looks great coming back from injury last season,” noted Burgett. “Vante Jagoe and Channing Stone are both among the best freshmen in the state. They are going to both be immediate impact players.”
Hopkins Central is hoping that makes it a player in what should be a competitive 7th District, with Madisonville-North Hopkins, Caldwell County and Dawson Springs all expecting to be solid.
“We are going to play with a lot of ball pressure and make teams take care of the ball,” Burgett noted. “Our kids have embraced the identity of being a tough, defensive team. I am excited to see what this year brings.”
The Storm will open the season Tuesday, Dec. 3, at Muhlenberg County.
PLAYER UNDER THE RADAR
At 6-6, it might be difficult for Karon Hopson to go unnoticed, but the lanky senior could be a key rim protector in Burgett’s defensive-minded approach.
Hopson doesn’t have a ton of varsity experience, but could definitely be a key role player this season for the Storm.
BIG GAMES
Hopkins Central gets an early chance to find out exactly where it stands in the 7th District on Dec. 12 with a district date at cross-county rival Madisonville-North Hopkins.
The Storm will host the Maroons on Jan. 20, which will be another opportunity to see just how far the team has progressed in the over 5 weeks in between.
OUTLOOK
Hopkins Central will need almost everyone to step up their game as the Storm looks to improve upon last year’s 10-18 showing and become a challenger in the 7th District.
If everything comes together, Hopkins Central could climb up the pecking order in the district as everyone looks to unseat Madisonville and its 15 straight district championships.
But any team that’s good enough to get out of the 7th District this season should be good enough to make some noise in the 2nd Region tournament as well.
“Our district and region are both going to be as competitive as it has been in a very long time,” said Burgett. “Henderson stands out as the team to beat in the region.”
