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ASHLAND Ashland’s backcourt took to the front lines this season.
The Tomcats remain guard-oriented but had to delve deeper into adapting to new roles if they wanted to extend their 16th Region title streak.
Ashland has become a pillar of versatility in the current drive-and-dish spread-offense era of roundball. The team boasts a 6-foot-6 Division I-bound point guard, and KABC 16th Region Player of the Year, who can confound defenses with his ability to get to the rim and an improved shooting stroke.
Newcomers saw the offense from a new viewpoint, which was tested the moment they arrived on campus. The same can be said for the veterans. Each experienced new duties on both ends of the floor after teammates decided on new athletic paths and lingering injuries forced an altered rotation.
“Depth was a huge factor for us,” Ashland coach Ryan Bonner said. “After Braxton (Jennings) decided to pursue his football opportunities and Cam Davis battled injuries all year, we had the right guys step up and produce for us. When you talk about the 16th Region, if you have the best guard play, you’re typically going to be in good shape. I felt we had the best guard play and we ultimately prevailed.”
On paper, the roster lists just one frontcourt player, but he can handle the ball and score from beyond the arc. Caleb Clarke hit five 3s in the region championship against Boyd County, three in the opening frame when the opponent didn’t come out to guard him.
Preston Hoskins recorded the most 3s this season after the majority of his varsity career at Morgan County took place in the post. Shooting guard Tyson Lalonde’s defensive assignments catered to a forward on the other side. It’s another adaptability moment that their coach admires.
“Tyler, Preston and CC had to be very adaptable night to night,” Bonner said. “It was based on matchups and who we were playing at that moment or who we needed to guard. They had to do a variety of different things that may not have necessarily been in their comfort zone, but they knew they had to do it in order for us to win and be successful.
“Those guys are winners, and they compete,” he added. “It was created by the teams we played during the course of the year. We opened up our season against Malachi Moreno, Mr. Basketball, and Great Crossing. It alleviates a lot of pressure that might exist in the postseason and it allows you to go out to make the right play at the right time. There were so many nights that they had to play out of position, but it prepared them to play well in the biggest of moments.”
Bonner said Hoskins did not have much time to adjust to his new surroundings or his new spot on the floor. The senior said he picked it up quickly with assistance from his teammates.
“It’s a lot different from where I came from,” Hoskins said. “Most nights, I would be down low, banging with the bigs, and mostly shoot from there.
“They’ve all been very welcoming here (at Ashland). It feels so much like Morgan County where I grew up and spent my whole life. I feel that I fit right in here. I feel I can create space for Zander (Carter) and Tyson. They can kick it out to me. I still drive whenever I can but I really like shooting the ball.”
Lalonde turned his defensive attention to the paint during crunch time in the region final. A pivotal block around the rim helped keep the Tomcats in front and they eventually claimed their seventh championship in a row.
The senior guard has embraced the expectations that come with an Ashland jersey. He remains willing to do whatever it takes to win and extend the cherished streak.
“This place is known for their tradition and hard work,” Lalonde said. “It’s what they do on an everyday basis whether it’s in practice or during games. It means a lot. I knew what the standard was when I came here.
“I turned my role into being the energy guy,” he added, “especially with me being a senior. It would be perfect for me to step into that role.”
Lalonde, a Shawnee State signee, came to Ashland three seasons ago as a spot-up shooter. Bonner knew he was capable of so much more.
“Initially, Tyson was the guy that we just relied on to catch and shoot,” Bonner said. “I had a discussion with Tyson last spring during the offseason. We wanted to develop his skill set outside of his ability to make 3s. He has become one of our best on-ball defenders and his field-goal percentage has gone way up this year. He can attack off the dribble. That’s why Shawnee State was so interested. He can do a lot of different things.”
The coach has also seen an improvement in confidence and leadership. Both took some coaxing before they opened up lines of communication.
“Preston is a guy that had to adapt quickly,” Bonner said. “He was in the starting lineup from Day 1. The growth from when he first stepped on the floor until now is a night and day difference. He can get you six to eight rebounds a night. It’s huge with our lack of size. He’s an excellent defender. One of the biggest differences, and I give him a hard time about it, I don’t think he spoke two words once he got here. Now, he has become a guy in the locker room with a great sense of humor and has a great outlook.”
Lalonde has also gravitated to a leadership role and takes time in practice to support and pick up his teammates.
“Our guys have all bought in,” Lalonde said. “We encourage them and try to set a good example every day. I’ve tried to become a more vocal leader alongside Zander.”
Several Ashland players know the atmosphere that awaits them at Rupp Arena next week. Lalonde will enjoy a third trip to the Sweet Sixteen and feels the team is ready for the environment.
“The new guys have learned what it takes to play here pretty quickly,” Lalonde said. “They have stepped in and brought it every single day. It’s a great experience each time you get to go on that court. We’ve all dreamed about this day since we were kids growing up in Kentucky.”
Hoskins gets his first taste of the state limelight on Wednesday. The dream will become reality once he steps onto the Rupp Arena floor.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment,” Hoskins said. “It’s the reason I came over here. It’s my senior year and my final ride. It was great to make it there.”
The adaptation manual hopefully has four more chapters. Ashland meets First Region winner Calloway County in the opening round on Wednesday at 8:30.
The Lakers present a sizeable challenge for the Tomcats. Calloway County has two players who average over 20 points a game. Jonah Butler produces 22.3 points and 10 rebounds a night. Eli Finley chips in 21.2 points for a 31-3 team that already has a state title this year.
The Lakers won the Kentucky 2A state championship in Owensboro on Jan. 19.
Carter leads Ashland into battle with a 24-point average and a multitude of minutes on the state stage at Rupp Arena.
Like the team, Bonner will lean on the senior for game time inspiration. It’s one of the only things that will never change.
“Calloway County has exceptional size at every position,” Bonner said. “They’re really big and really physical. Our guys will have to adapt to that. We play the 8:30 game on Wednesday night. In my experience, that’s when they have the biggest crowd. There will be some nerves there and that’s natural, But we still have to have composure. Our guys have proved they have that all year long.
“Zander is a guy that’s been there,” he added. “I talked to him and said I have coached at Rupp but was not lucky enough to play there. He’s played there multiple times. I asked him to give the guys a message and he broke it down perfectly. He has that leadership and it has helped him and the team on the biggest stages.”
Continue reading...
The Tomcats remain guard-oriented but had to delve deeper into adapting to new roles if they wanted to extend their 16th Region title streak.
Ashland has become a pillar of versatility in the current drive-and-dish spread-offense era of roundball. The team boasts a 6-foot-6 Division I-bound point guard, and KABC 16th Region Player of the Year, who can confound defenses with his ability to get to the rim and an improved shooting stroke.
Newcomers saw the offense from a new viewpoint, which was tested the moment they arrived on campus. The same can be said for the veterans. Each experienced new duties on both ends of the floor after teammates decided on new athletic paths and lingering injuries forced an altered rotation.
“Depth was a huge factor for us,” Ashland coach Ryan Bonner said. “After Braxton (Jennings) decided to pursue his football opportunities and Cam Davis battled injuries all year, we had the right guys step up and produce for us. When you talk about the 16th Region, if you have the best guard play, you’re typically going to be in good shape. I felt we had the best guard play and we ultimately prevailed.”
On paper, the roster lists just one frontcourt player, but he can handle the ball and score from beyond the arc. Caleb Clarke hit five 3s in the region championship against Boyd County, three in the opening frame when the opponent didn’t come out to guard him.
Preston Hoskins recorded the most 3s this season after the majority of his varsity career at Morgan County took place in the post. Shooting guard Tyson Lalonde’s defensive assignments catered to a forward on the other side. It’s another adaptability moment that their coach admires.
“Tyler, Preston and CC had to be very adaptable night to night,” Bonner said. “It was based on matchups and who we were playing at that moment or who we needed to guard. They had to do a variety of different things that may not have necessarily been in their comfort zone, but they knew they had to do it in order for us to win and be successful.
“Those guys are winners, and they compete,” he added. “It was created by the teams we played during the course of the year. We opened up our season against Malachi Moreno, Mr. Basketball, and Great Crossing. It alleviates a lot of pressure that might exist in the postseason and it allows you to go out to make the right play at the right time. There were so many nights that they had to play out of position, but it prepared them to play well in the biggest of moments.”
Bonner said Hoskins did not have much time to adjust to his new surroundings or his new spot on the floor. The senior said he picked it up quickly with assistance from his teammates.
“It’s a lot different from where I came from,” Hoskins said. “Most nights, I would be down low, banging with the bigs, and mostly shoot from there.
“They’ve all been very welcoming here (at Ashland). It feels so much like Morgan County where I grew up and spent my whole life. I feel that I fit right in here. I feel I can create space for Zander (Carter) and Tyson. They can kick it out to me. I still drive whenever I can but I really like shooting the ball.”
Lalonde turned his defensive attention to the paint during crunch time in the region final. A pivotal block around the rim helped keep the Tomcats in front and they eventually claimed their seventh championship in a row.
The senior guard has embraced the expectations that come with an Ashland jersey. He remains willing to do whatever it takes to win and extend the cherished streak.
“This place is known for their tradition and hard work,” Lalonde said. “It’s what they do on an everyday basis whether it’s in practice or during games. It means a lot. I knew what the standard was when I came here.
“I turned my role into being the energy guy,” he added, “especially with me being a senior. It would be perfect for me to step into that role.”
Lalonde, a Shawnee State signee, came to Ashland three seasons ago as a spot-up shooter. Bonner knew he was capable of so much more.
“Initially, Tyson was the guy that we just relied on to catch and shoot,” Bonner said. “I had a discussion with Tyson last spring during the offseason. We wanted to develop his skill set outside of his ability to make 3s. He has become one of our best on-ball defenders and his field-goal percentage has gone way up this year. He can attack off the dribble. That’s why Shawnee State was so interested. He can do a lot of different things.”
The coach has also seen an improvement in confidence and leadership. Both took some coaxing before they opened up lines of communication.
“Preston is a guy that had to adapt quickly,” Bonner said. “He was in the starting lineup from Day 1. The growth from when he first stepped on the floor until now is a night and day difference. He can get you six to eight rebounds a night. It’s huge with our lack of size. He’s an excellent defender. One of the biggest differences, and I give him a hard time about it, I don’t think he spoke two words once he got here. Now, he has become a guy in the locker room with a great sense of humor and has a great outlook.”
Lalonde has also gravitated to a leadership role and takes time in practice to support and pick up his teammates.
“Our guys have all bought in,” Lalonde said. “We encourage them and try to set a good example every day. I’ve tried to become a more vocal leader alongside Zander.”
Several Ashland players know the atmosphere that awaits them at Rupp Arena next week. Lalonde will enjoy a third trip to the Sweet Sixteen and feels the team is ready for the environment.
“The new guys have learned what it takes to play here pretty quickly,” Lalonde said. “They have stepped in and brought it every single day. It’s a great experience each time you get to go on that court. We’ve all dreamed about this day since we were kids growing up in Kentucky.”
Hoskins gets his first taste of the state limelight on Wednesday. The dream will become reality once he steps onto the Rupp Arena floor.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment,” Hoskins said. “It’s the reason I came over here. It’s my senior year and my final ride. It was great to make it there.”
The adaptation manual hopefully has four more chapters. Ashland meets First Region winner Calloway County in the opening round on Wednesday at 8:30.
The Lakers present a sizeable challenge for the Tomcats. Calloway County has two players who average over 20 points a game. Jonah Butler produces 22.3 points and 10 rebounds a night. Eli Finley chips in 21.2 points for a 31-3 team that already has a state title this year.
The Lakers won the Kentucky 2A state championship in Owensboro on Jan. 19.
Carter leads Ashland into battle with a 24-point average and a multitude of minutes on the state stage at Rupp Arena.
Like the team, Bonner will lean on the senior for game time inspiration. It’s one of the only things that will never change.
“Calloway County has exceptional size at every position,” Bonner said. “They’re really big and really physical. Our guys will have to adapt to that. We play the 8:30 game on Wednesday night. In my experience, that’s when they have the biggest crowd. There will be some nerves there and that’s natural, But we still have to have composure. Our guys have proved they have that all year long.
“Zander is a guy that’s been there,” he added. “I talked to him and said I have coached at Rupp but was not lucky enough to play there. He’s played there multiple times. I asked him to give the guys a message and he broke it down perfectly. He has that leadership and it has helped him and the team on the biggest stages.”
Continue reading...
