Michael Fraliex is hoping year number two at Trigg County ends better than last season and includes a trip to the region tournament in 2025-26.
The Wildcats began last season strong, going 4-1, but the tides turned as they dropped 16 of their next 20 games, including an 11-game losing streak to end the season.
Trigg County graduated three starters and a sixth man from last year’s 8-21 team that missed the region tournament for a seventh time in nine seasons.
However, the Wildcats return one of the top players in the region in senior Davaree Gude, who averaged a double-double last year with 16 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 57% from the field.
Junior wing Landon Swann was second on the team with 67 three-pointers made. He shot 33% behind the arc and averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds.
After that, Fraliex will turn to some untested players to fill the scoring gaps.
“We’ve got a little bit of a different look this year. We’ve got some kids that haven’t played in a while, and we’ve got some kids that were around last year in Landon and Davaree, who we’re expecting big things from,” said Fraliex.
One of the more noticeable newcomers will be senior Quin Baggett, an offensive lineman by trade, who is back on the hardwood for the first time since middle school at 6’3 and 285 pounds.
“Quin is really going to be a big plus for us. What we just want from him is just a little bit of improvement every day. Maybe finishing a little bit better every day, and being a little stronger around the bucket every day,” Fraliex said. “He does a great job rebounding and is one of those kids that no matter what he’s doing, he’s going to go as hard as he can possibly go.”
Sophomores Zamarrion Broussard and Karmelo Dixon will see time in the back court alongside senior Amari Lawson and junior A.J. Wharton.
“We’re asking Melo, Zamarrion, and Clay Travis to step up, and we’re kind of throwing them in the fire a little bit,” Fraliex said.
Fraliex said the Wildcats are short on experience with a roster that includes five seniors, but only two of those played last year.
Carter Shepherd will give the Wildcats some play at the point guard position, while Cam McCormick comes over from the soccer team and adds some size inside.
“I think Carter is going to give us a few minutes at the point guard spot, and Cam is one of those guys that’s always around the basketball, it seems like,” Fraliex said. “We think we can go eight or nine deep, which is something we didn’t really have last year.”
Turnovers and rebounds hold the key to this Wildcat team, as they should improve as the season wears on.
“We’ve got some guys that are bigger this year, and so a fast pace may not always be what we can do or what we need. So we’re just going to base it on what our opponent does and what we need to do to go against that or whatever gives us the advantage,” Fraliex said.
The veteran coach knows the first few weeks of the season can be a struggle when trying to piece together a team.
“It’s always ugly, especially when you have new personnel that haven’t played for me yet and some guys that haven’t played basketball in a while. I think the football guys are still trying to get what I call their sea legs, their basketball legs, their hops,” he said. “We mainly ask two things. One is that you compete every single night, and two is that you be as unselfish as you can possibly be. And then just be a good teammate.”
Trigg County will play in the St. Mary Christmas Classic before the holiday and play in an event at Stewart County after Christmas.
The Wildcats will also play Murray in a Class 2A sectional game on Friday, December 12th.
The district scheduling grid takes on a new look this year with no district games before Christmas. Wildcats will play three straight district games from January 13th through the 19th.
The Wildcats are scheduled to open their season Tuesday night at Hickman County and play at Fulton City on Friday. They are hopeful to play a home game before Christmas as renovation work continues inside Wildcat Gym.
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Karmelo is spelled with a “K”
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