Basketball season tips off for 1992-93

(Continued from last week.)

As the 1992-93 basketball season got under way, a new head coach was on the scene in Hillsboro.

Rick Earley had stepped down and Thom Snyder had taken over the program.

Snyder, younger brother of Sam Snyder, who had posted a three-year record of 52-8 after taking charge of the program at the beginning of the 1979-80 season, had left the area a few years previous, to coach at the College of Wooster and at Kent State University East Liverpool.

The Indians had experienced a 4-16 season in 1990-91, followed by a 6-14 mark in 1991-92. Four players with at least some varsity experience were returning. They were 6’ 3” senior Nathan Walker, 6’ 0” senior Jamie Thompson, 6’ 0” senior Sean Longstreth and 5’ 10” senior Rodney Captain.

Additionally, three more seniors, 6’ 3” Jason Armstrong, 6’ 1” Brad Middleton and 6’ 1” Justin Ames would be on the squad, along with five juniors from last year’s reserve team, including 5’ 10” Brad Beatty, who figured to see a lot of action at a guard slot.

Snyder planned to feature a very rugged defense and aggressive rebounding. He was pleased, thus far, with the attitudes and overall effort he had seen from his charges.

The Indians, who would be playing in the Southern Buckeye Athletic Conference, would open their season with Lynchburg-Clay at Hillsboro, Dec. 5.

In Greenfield, Rick Van Matre, after a 10-10 season, in 1991-92, would face some tough problems in the first basketball season since the disbandment of the SCOL. Early in the season, the Tigers would play four games in eight days, but they had only four Friday night games scheduled, as everybody played their league games on Friday.

The Tigers would not be playing in a league, this season.

Van Matre, beginning his 12th year at McClain, would have three starters back from last year: 6’ 1” Pat Coleman, 6’ 0” Rob Snavely and 5’ 9” Bobby Williams. Also, 6’ 0” Richie Highley, who sat out most of the season with an injury, would be back. 6’ 3” senior Paul Bond would be on the team this season. He had elected not to play basketball last season.

The Tigers would feature tenacious defense along with an explosive offense. They would face three of the former SCOL teams, Hillsboro, Washington and Miami Trace. Also on the schedule would be Peebles, Logan Elm, Paint Valley, Gallipolis, Southeastern and Chesapeake.

The Purple and Gold would open at home, with London, Dec. 5.

Kirk Hardman was back for his fifth season at Miami Trace. He would have four returning lettermen, including two starters. Last season, the Panthers had rung up a 17-5 record and captured a co-championship in the final year of the SCOL.

Jason King was rugged on the inside with his 215 pounds. He was a three-year starter. Chad Landrum (5-10) and 6’ 4” junior Craig Butts were both key people coming off the bench last season, and Hardman expected significant contributions from both, this year.

The Panthers’ top returning player, though, was All-SCOL, All-District and honorable mention All-State Terrell Baker.

Baker, another three-year starter, averaged 20 points per game last year, shooting 65 per cent from the field and 78 per cent from the free throw line.

Coach Hardman, never known for lack of confidence, stated, “We’re a good team, and we’re playing a very tough schedule.”

He said he would definitely miss the South Central Ohio League.

Third-year coach Carlos Roberts at Wilmington, would be competing in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference.

“I don’t know players, coaches, officials or anybody else in that league,” he said. He would be starting four returning starters, 6’ 8” Casey Chroust, 6’ 3” Brian Long, 6’ 3” Richie Medley and 6’ 2” Sean Long. The fifth starter would be 5’ 10” Jerry Cowin.

Veteran coach Gary Shaffer, back for his 19th season, had the best record in school history in 1991-92, when the Lions ran to a 19-5 record and advanced to the regional tournament in division two. Six outstanding seniors were lost from that team, due to graduation. But, Shaffer had a nucleus of experience coming back.

Jeff Sword (6-4) was the second leading scorer for the Blue Lions, and he would be back for another season. A tough inside player, who could shoot the three, he was especially tough on the offensive boards.

Jason Harris (6-3) one of the best defensive players on the team, would be expected to score more, this year.

Point guard Travis Robertson (5-8) ran the team very well a year ago. He was a very good shooter and an excellent defensive player. Gale Shaffer, a 6’ 0” senior came off the bench last year, but got a lot of minutes, and made a definite contribution.

Nine of the Lions’ first 14 games, this season, were on the road. They would be an independent, this year. Next season, they would be in the Buckeye Athletic Conference.

(Continued next week.)

Bob Patton is a Highland County sports historian and a contributing writer to The Highland County Press.