Redemption is the buzzword for the 2017-18 Trigg County Wildcat basketball team.
After 75 wins and four straight district titles in their previous four seasons, the Wildcats slipped to 8-19 last year – ending a streak of 16 straight seasons of double-digit wins. Trigg also failed to win a district game for the first time in 24 years, made worse by the fact that the Wildcats led in the fourth quarter of five of their seven district losses.
Fast forward a year, and the Wildcats return seven players that started multiple games last year including their top five scorers. Senior guard Devron Triplet led the Wildcats in scoring last year at 18.8 points per contest and will once again be the focus of the opposing defenses.
Senior Kirome Bingham, who averaged 3.4 ppg. as a sophomore, returns after missing his junior season with an ACL injury. Bingham provides the Wildcats with an extra ballhandler they sorely missed last year when teams applied pressure.
Senior Conner Barnes (4.9 ppg.) earned All-District honors last year in his first full year at the point guard spot and will again be the floor general in 2017-18. Senior Micah Brown (6.8 ppg., 2.8 rpg.) proved his versatility last year while playing three different positions and was second on the team in 3-point shooting.
Sophomore Jakobe Bridges (6.6 ppg.) broke into the starting lineup but has been sidelined in the preseason with a leg injury. Junior Kyron Grubbs (2.4 ppg.) showed flashes of promise last year and gives the Wildcats quickness if they opt to press teams.
Junior Trevor Cortner and several freshmen should provide backcourt depth.
The lack of an inside presence doomed the Wildcats most of last year, which caused Trigg to get outrebounded in key spots last year.
Sophomore Cam Jordan was a pleasant surprise on the inside last year, averaging 8.7 points and 4.4 rebounds.
Junior Austin Mitchell is undersized but a blue-collar guy inside. Sophomore Jacob Kent earned starting time a year ago after scoring 2.1 points and grabbing three rebounds a game.
Eighth grader Kendrick Adams will provide some versatility in the frontcourt where his defensive prowess gives Trigg an inside stopper they lacked last year. The experience he gains at the varsity level this year will produce a nice payoff for the Wildcats in the years to come.
The X-factor for Trigg County could be 6-6 senior DeOvion Day, the younger brother of former Wildcat Detaveon Day. DeOvion sat out last year after breaking his leg during his sophomore year off the court. Day gained weight while off the floor and is working to get into game shape. He scored six points and grabbed eight rebounds in Trigg County’s scrimmage win over Carlisle County last week. His size gives Trigg County an inside presence and could force their guard-heavy offense to see more zone defenses.
The Wildcats struggled to score last year, with their 54 points a game their lowest in a decade. However, the return of an experienced backcourt and size they didn’t have last year could make them an exciting team to watch. Their key will be defense, especially when playing teams that feature size inside.
Trigg County opens their season Tuesday night at home against Fulton County, an 11-19 team that Trigg beat twice last year.
