Challenger

The Apollo boys basketball team has a lot to live up to this season. The boys are the defending third region champions and won themselves a trip to the KHSAA state tournament last year.

With the departure of Coach Greg Baughn came the appointing of the new head coach ,Tony Hopper. He proceeds Greg Baughn’s five years as coach for the Eagles.
The Eagles lost veteran players Bubba Long, Ryne Mantooth, Travis Johnson, and Adam Johnson from the memorable season this past year. They will return starters Doug Denton and Ben Duvall. Denton will be running the show from the point guard position, and Duvall is a 6’4” sophomore holding down the center position.

Coach Hopper has been working the boys hard and disciplining them to the way he wants the team to be ran this year. The team has been having three a day practices this winter.
AHS has been working on a slower, more efficient game plan for this season. Passing the ball and looking for the team’s best option has been a main focus. Hopper’s boys are smarter and more aware of the court. After about five swings across the floor the boys are given the green light to score. Patience is definately a virture for thisEagle squad (line provided by Mitch Sharber).

At Apollo’s annual Chili Supper, the team had their blue and white scrimmage against each other. They showed great promise and were an intense Eagle squad to watch. The Eagles’ defense is something to be commended for their aggressiveness and communication with each other.

This whole new year came with a whole new coach and a whole lot of new faces to watch out for this season. It will be hard to tell exactly how this team of young Eagles will fair against their competition until tip off the first game.

“I”m glad to be back on the court,” said junior Jake Wells, “ We’ve hit the floor running and are ready to show everyone what we’ve got. We work especially hard on defense. Just always remember to stay on-line, guys.”