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<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"MANCHESTER \u2014 A lot of hype is surrounding Clay County\u2019s boys\u2019 basketball program, and deservedly so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Tigers return a solid nucleus of talent along with a new coach \u2014 Michael Jones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jones has had a lot of success at the high school level, leading Harlan County to its first-ever 13th Region championship, and is looking to end Clay County\u2019s drought of not winning a region crown since 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Tigers have a 13th Region-best 29 regional championships, and is looking to capture number 30 this season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, Jones\u2019 focus is working hard to changing the culture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTwenty-one wins in the last two years combined is not the typical Clay County tradition you think about, so we got to learn how to win again,\u201d he admitted. \u201cWe only got 14 practices together this summer, but they were 14 productive practices. \u201cPutting in a new system from the ground up takes time, so each day we had was important to that process. We felt like we got better each game we played and that was encouraging, hopefully we can carry that over to the season.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clay County returns all five starters from last season\u2019s team along with one of the top players and scorers in the region, Jerrod Roark, transferring as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe bring back all five starters, and top eight players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHayden Harris is a long athletic wing who\u2019s improved his overall strength,\u201d Jones said. \u201cEthan Jackson is a hard-nosed strong guard that does everything well. Grayson Hooker has a high basketball IQ, and he is capable of shooting it at a high percentage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAiden Wagers is a strong, athletic big, who leads by example ans is capable of averaging a double\/double,\u201d he added. \u201cLandon Dezarn could be our best on-ball defender, and is capable of shooting it at a high percentage. Elijah Bundy is a true warrior on the court, capable of averaging a double\/double. Tate Rice is an athletic guard, who does everything well \u2014 a leader. Plus one of the region\u2019s leading scorers last season, Jerrod Roark, has transferred back. He is an athletic strong guard who can finish through contact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are excited about this team and the season ahead,\u201d Jones continued. \u201cWe have a lot of experience coming back, but we also have to be patient with the process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jones said 6-4 freshman Anthony Grubb will give his Tiger squad quality minutes as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe has all the tools,\u201d he said. \u201cHe\u2019s been impressive in practice, and will push for a starting position.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jones stated his team will pride themselves on the defensive end and rebounding the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe feel like both of those areas can be a strength the entire season,\u201d he said. \u201cOne of our weaknesses going in will be on the offensive end. If we can shoot the ball consistently enough to keep us in games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt sounds cliche, but a big key for us will be everyone buying into less is more,\u201d Jones added. \u201cWe can\u2019t worry about individual stats and\/or playing time. We have several kids who can play valuable minutes, so we must sacrifice for one another in order to be successful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite getting hired late, making putting a schedule together harder than normal, Jones remains confident his team will be challenged throughout the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith any schedule people are going to say it\u2019s this or it\u2019s that, but the bottom line is \u2014 are we getting better regardless of who we play?,\u201d he said. \u201cWe hope, as everyone does, by years end, we have improved each week and playing our best during tournament time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jones expects the 49th District to be competitive again this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur district will be competitive with North Laurel leading the way,\u201d he said. \u201cThey are back-to-back regional champions which means those kids are accustomed to winning, and that goes a long way. Jackson County is a rivalry game, and we know how those can go on any given night. They will always be competitive, disciplined, well-coached, and compete as hard as anyone because of their leader in Coach Parrett. Oneida has some young talented players who can cause a tough matchup. They\u2019ve got one of the best players to ever play in our region as their leader in Coach (Larry) Gritton, so they will compete. Red Bird will play hard and not back down from any challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite most observers picking the Tigers as one of the top two or three teams in the region, Jones believes his squad is currently somewhere in the middle of the pack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n