GROVE RIDGERUNNERS
BOYS
Coach: Zach Trimble
23-24 Record: 7-17
OUTLOOK
Grove head coach Zach Trimble returns for the new season with an experienced team that returns several players from last season. Coach Trimble said the team has added a few young players that he is excited to see compete this season.
“The core of our team is back and have a few young players that will have the opportunity to step up and earn minutes. We are looking to build on last season and this summer with our experience and leadership we have coming back,” said Trimble.
Jackson Gain (6-4, Sr.), a VYPE Top 100 selectee, averaged 11 points and 4.0 rebounds a game last season. Gain is a three-sport athlete and excels at everything he does. Gain will be a four-year starter for Grove. Jacob Gain (6-3, Sr.) will start at guard where he averaged 3.0 points with 3.0 rebounds last season. The senior brings a strong work ethic and is a great teammate according to coach Trimble.
Avery Petty (6-3, Jr.) averaged 10 points and 4.0 rebounds has become one of the go-to players for Grove. Petty was the 6th man for Grove as a freshman and will become a three-year starter. Petty has developed into a leader for Grove and someone who can put up 10 or more points a game. Isaac Sheffield (6-1, Jr.) averaged 8.0 points and 4.0 rebounds a game. Sheffield embraces the grind of a long season and is known for being a great teammate.
Also look for Briggs Fink at point guard. The underclassman is a gritty defender and brings a new level of toughness to the court for the Ridgerunners. Fink is one of several younger players looking to make their mark on the program this season.
GIRLS
Coach: Richard Bassett
23-24 Record: 19-8
OUTLOOK
Coming into the new season, head coach Richard Bassett has a few holes in the lineup to fill, but with a talented new group stepping into starting roles and a trio of starters from last season, Bassett feels the team has the nucleus to build on the success of last season.
“We have three returning starters to this year’s team who are all juniors. We will need some sophomores to step up and fill some vital roles from our outgoing seniors. We will again lean on our leading scorer, Rowan Geer, to lead the team. She is an outstanding player and great teammate,” said Bassett.
Rowan Geer (5-10, Jr.) starts at guard where she averaged 20.2 points, scoring a total of 524 points as a sophomore. The VYPE Top 100 selectee also averaged 6.6 rebounds per game. Javen Buffington (5-9, Jr.) will play in the post for Grove again this season. Bassett said Buffington is an unselfish player and a great teammate.
“Javen is an undersized post player who works extremely hard to make up for her lack of size. She is an unselfish player to a fault. Everyone on the team loves her as a teammate,” said Bassett.
Ayden Arnold (5-7, Jr.) is a player who does all the little things for the team. Arnold is a great leader on and off the court. Allie Hasselman (5-7, So.) is a young guard who is looking to find her way to the court this season. Another player to watch is Alivia Shumaker (5-7, Fr.) has a lot of potential as a freshman.
Other players to watch include Jade Dillinger (5-6, So.), Kinsey Guinn (5-6, So.), Chloe Smith (5-3, Jr.), and Bri Desliva (5-8, So.).
