When Michael Fraliex stepped down as Hopkins County Central boys basketball coach after five seasons, the unlikely landing point was Trigg County, the home of his fiercest basketball rival in high school.
However, when Mason Burgett left Trigg County to replace Fraliex in Mortons Gap, that allowed the Caldwell County native to remain coaching in a district he’s familiar with, the 5th district.
The Wildcats are coming off a 12-20 season, their first 20-loss campaign in over 20 years. But the veteran coach has what he feels are the tools to make Trigg County a district contender by the end of the season.
“There’s still an adjustment period there. They’ve got to learn me. I have to learn them, but I think about Christmastime, you won’t want to play us,” Fraliex said. “We just need to run things. I think we get excited and panic a little bit, and then we start trying to go one-on-one and drive to the bucket.”
The Wildcats return Davaree Gude, a junior guard who is capable of giving Fraliex a double-double just about every time he laces up his shoes. Gude averaged 10 points last year primarily off the bench and scored 22 points in 11 rebounds in Trigg County’s lone scrimmage against Murray.
“Davaree is a beast. I mean, he’s hard to handle one-on-one. When he makes his mind up to get to the rim, there aren’t too many people that are going to stop him,” Fraliex said.
The Wildcats are also bolstered by 6-3 sophomore Landon Swann, who comes to Trigg County from Lyon County. He can knock down shots on the wing and go inside and help on the glass.
Senior Lance Breckel could be Trigg County’s most reliable outside shooter after knocking down 13 3-pointers and scoring three points a game last year.
The Wildcats aren’t blessed with size but hope senior Slaton Carter can put his workman-like skills to good use in the paint.
Caleb Fogle earned a starting bid midway through last season and scored 6.7 points with a team-high 37 threes. Joshuan Bridges (3 ppg., 2 rpg.) gives the Wildcats a slasher on offense and a solid defender.
Fogle is expected to start at the point, a position thought to be occupied by freshman Timmy Williams who scored four points a game as an 8th grader. However, Williams suffered a knee injury early in football season that required surgery and will not be available until the fall.
A knock on Trigg County in recent years has been its lackluster play on defense, which is something Fraliex has worked to address from day one. He’s also hoping to use a controlled up-tempo style play that will see the Wildcats build on its 57-point per-game performance last year.
Fraliex is also helped by a large and talented freshman class, some of whom may see considerable time as the year wears on.
BIG GAMES
The Wildcats have an interesting slate of games that will see them go to Logan County for its H&H Holiday Hoopfest before Christmas.
They will also make a return to the Edmondson County Caveland Classic for the first time since 1994.
Trigg County will also see a couple of familiar faces this year. Burgett will host the Wildcats and the former Storm coach on Dec. 13.
The Wildcats also have a have a home and home with Mayfield, coached by former Wildcat skipper Peyton Croft, who led the Wildcats to four consecutive district championships nearly a decade ago.
It will be the first time Croft has faced his former school since taking the Mayfield job in 2019. Trigg plays at Mayfield on Jan. 4 and will host the Cardinals on Jan. 21. They could also see Mayfield in the Caveland Classic.
Trigg County will also play in the Class 2A Championships.
The annual Chappel Allen Memorial Shootout has been moved from Christmas to a one-day event on Jan. 25 at Wildcat Gym along with the girls. Trigg will close out the day-long event against Hickman County.
FLYING UNDER THE RADAR
“Landon Swann is going to be real good,” Fraliex said. “But this is his first varsity experience. I think Lance is going to have a good year and I think Caleb will too, once he figures out the point guard position.”
OUTLOOK
Trigg County has played second fiddle to Lyon County each of the past two seasons, but the Lyons and a much-improved Livingston Central squad are expected to be the district favorites. However, Fraliex warns against sleeping on the Wildcats.
“We’re still learning, and we’ll be learning all season long. But I think, especially by district tournament time, you are not going to want to play us,” he said. “I just want us to go out and play as hard as you can possibly play. And whatever the scoreboard says at the end, I’ll still be happy, because it’s all about competing.”
