Louisa, Ky. — Lawrence Co. Basketball Head Coach Chandler Thompson heads into his sixth season and is more than ready to get the season started.
2024-2025 Lawrence Co. Bulldogs
Front L to R Isiah Hughes, Jamison Ison, Braxton Davis, Kaiden Harris, Caden Muncy, Kaden Johnson, Gunnar Woods, C.J. Whitt
Back L to R Manager Ashton West, Kasen Staniford, Luke Fetherolf, Carlo Chicko, Boedy Maynard, Hayden Perry, Wyatt Branham, Keaden Ellis, Andrew Ratcliffe, Manager Alex DeSario
The Dawgs went 24-8 last year, won the Carolina Invitational in Charleston, South Carolina and lost in the quarterfinals of the 15th region tournament against Pikeville. They lost some experienced seniors and some good size in Andrew Bloomfield, Ford Scaggs, Logan Ratliff and Blake Marcum.
Bulldog Seniors
Kasen Staniford, Wyatt Branham, Keaden Ellis
This team will have some new faces in the starting lineup this season that played roles off the bench last year.
Hayden Perry, Gunnar Woods, Luke Fetherolf, Kaden Johnson and Transfer Kaiden Harris along with Braxton Davis, Caden Muncy, Carlo Chicko, Kasen Staniford and Isiah Hughes all should see time throughout the season.
Bulldog Juniors
Ashton West, Braxton Davis, Luke Fetherolf, Boedy Maynard, Gunnar Woods, Kaiden Harris, Alex DeSario
Bulldog Sophomores
Andrew Ratcliffe, Kaden Johnson, Haden Perry, Caden Muncy, Carlo Chicko
Bulldog Freshmen
Jamison Ison, Isiah Hughes, C.J. Whitt
The Bulldogs will have a busy opening week that begins on Monday with the season opener at West Carter, home opener is Thursday versus Morgan Co. and the District opener at Betsy Layne Friday.
Lawrence Co. Head Coach Chandler Thompson
Coach’s comments
“… I’m very excited, this is a fun group to coach, I definitely feel like we left some stuff on the table last season but it rarely ends the why you want except for a couple teams each year. You never want to lose but I’m proud of what last years team accomplished and that senior group has passed the torch down to this group. And we hope to have good leaders each year and they can keep on passing it down from year to year.”
“… We have a young core this year but we have a lot of talent. I really feel like this might be my deepest team we could possibly go nine or ten deep. And I won’t have any issues with playing any of them. This group has really worked hard and put a lot of work in the weight room and have gotten better. They have really put in the time individually and you can really tell. I’m excited to get things going for real next week.”
“… I really believe in my six years here that this is the fastest team that I have had. We are going to try and get up and down the floor win, lose or draw. Whoever we play each night will know that we have it everything we got and came ready to play. They will be in for a battle. We had a scrimmage on Saturday and we played bad at times and good at times but one thing about we played hard the entire time. And as a coach that is all you can ask for. We got down by 18 and the next thing I knew we were up by 18 points. It was a huge turnaround and it was really go for us to fall behind early.”
“… We had 3 or 4 practices with all of them before the scrimmage and all we asked of them was to play hard and they definitely did that for the entire game. We will get a few more this week and play our last scrimmage and then the regular season will begin on Monday.”
“… Our schedule is challenging and it starts right from the beginning. And that is what we set out to do. They are going to be some ups and downs early and it will be good for us. Hopefully we can iron some things out and it will make us better. Every week will be a challenge and it will help us grow and develop and by the end the year we are playing our best basketball. We are taking it day by day for sure.”
“… This past five years everyDistrict game we have played has been a battle and this year will be no different. Our District has always represented the Region from top to bottom. It’s always tough, of course I wouldn’t trade our bunch for any other team.”
“… I think you really never understand fully until you experience it first hand. And I think the Super Regional tournament did what it was supposed to do in the first year and that was to get the best eight teams in the region and I think that happen. The logistics worked out better than I thought they were going too. We will one more year of the same format and it then it will be voted on again.”
“… Transfer Kaiden Harris is a really good player. And I’m thankful that he is here with us. He is certainly going to surprise some people. Gunnar Woods has stepped up, he has gotten bigger and and is in better shape as well. Hayden Perry, Luke Fetherolf, Kaden Johnson I know what I’m going to get every night. Kasen Staniford is someone who has accepted his role and does whatever we ask and just wants to win, he leads every day and leads and does whatever he can to help the team. Caden Muncy has worked his tail off and played well for us on Saturday. He is scrappy and gritty and always plays hard. Isiah Hughes also had a good offseason for us and put in a ton of work. I could go on and on and I love every one of these guys and wouldn’t surprise me if someone that I didn’t will win a game or two for us this year. It’s a deep group and I’m not afraid to play any of them and any time.”
PLAYERS COMMENTS
Lawrence Co. Senior Kasen Staniford
“…It has really flew by especially the last year, it is kinda hard to believe but I’m ready for my senior year and I think the team ready to get started. We played together for a long time and I think we are in for a good season.”
“… We know that we are going to play hard no matter what the score is, coach makes sure of that so whatever happens this team will play hard. When we start pressuring the ball, start talking and bringing the energy most teams won’t want to come back.”
“… You got to bring energy whether you’re on the floor or on the bench. If you’re on the you got to clap and keep the guys up. Everybody gets tired and if someone is jumping up and down, encourage you and makes you want to get that defensive stop.”
“… We play Betsy Layne on the road early in the year and they are always tough at home and it would be great to get an early season road District win. I’m also looking forward to the 2A tournament because we are trying to make our way back to Owensboro.”
Lawrence Co. Junior Gunnar Woods
“… The main thing that I have noticed is how close this team is. The chemistry is really strong on this team. We hang out when we are not in the gym and that is huge.”
“… A lot of our confidence comes from the coaching staff. As long as we play hard they are going to be pleased. Don’t matter what shot we shoot as long as we play hard and bring energy. We also have confidence in each other. If you miss keep shooting because the next one is going in.”
“… I try to bring a positive attitude everyday to practice and lead by example and being a role model to the younger guys. I have really been working on that each time out.”
“… We have an early season matchup with Pikeville at home that I’m really looking forward too. And a road test at Betsy Layne that should be a good test for us. It has been a long off season and I’m ready to get started.”
“… The Charleston trip is one of the highlights of our season along with the Post-Season. That trip is about basketball and your family.”
Lawrence Co. Junior Luke Fetherolf
“… It was a tough loss to a really good team in Bell Co. but it also feels really good to be back on the basketball court. I love basketball, I have played my whole life and I’m ready for another good year. I know we are going to have a good team.”
“… I look forward to being a really good rebounder, a shooter and a playmaker and lead by example for this team. We have a good schedule this season and I can’t wait to play Ashland, Floyd Central and all of our District opponents as well.”
“… The Charleston trip is always fun to, we looked to compete and win but when we are in the hotel room we bond with each other and become better teammates. I can’t wait to get started.”
Lawrence Co. Sophomore Hayden Perry
“… If I step up defensively, talk and bring energy and lead by example. It is always important to play the entire time even though the game on Saturday didn’t count it shows what this team is capable of. A come back win like that is a real boost for us.”
“… I love a tough schedule. No point in playing a bunch of teams that you’re going to beat up on. I’m looking forward to playing Pikeville because they knocked us out the region tournament last year. We also play Belfry and Ashland who should be good once again.”
“… The trip to Charleston will be good for us once again. Get to play different teams and just set around the hotel room after the games with your teammates, it makes you closer and bond with each other.”
“… Kaiden Harris will be strong addition to our team. He plays just like we do and will fit right in. Gunnar, Kaden Johnson and Luke are the same way we play a lot a like and have really good chemistry.”
