Fort Gay, W. Va. — Going into his third season under the tutelage of Head Coach Brian Stacy the Tolsia Rebels are primed for a huge season that hopefully concludes with a trip to the big house.
2023-24 Tolsia Rebels
L to R sitting Dakota Blackburn, Cyrus Chaudhry, Cam Perkins, Bray Mollette, Bradee Vance, Bryson Muncy, Josh Hofmeister, Parker Watts, Cole Blackburn, Landon Spence, Jaron Hodge
L to R standing Brody Caudill, CJ Walker, Jared Switzer, Brian Stacy, Josh Muncy, Robert Evans, Peyton Muncy, Zach Waller. Not pictured Evan Ball
Tolsia went 13-11 last season and were one win away from the state tournament. They have some key returnees including leading scorer Junior wing Parker Watts, Junior Bray Mollette, Senior post player Bryson Muncy and Sophomore point guard Evan Ball.
The Rebels have a much heralded freshman class that includes Robert Evans, CJ Waller and Peyton Muncy. Sophomore Dakota Blackburn, Junior Cole Blackburn, Senior Josh Hofmeister, Sophomores Jaron Hodge and Landon Spence all have a chance to provide some depth for the Rebels who plan to play up tempo once again this season. Senior Bradee Vance is back with the program after taking a couple years off battling an illness and he is a welcomed addition to the squad.
2023-24 Rebel Seniors
Bradee Vance, Bryson Muncy, Josh Hofmeister
The Rebels beat Sherman on the road in a wild environment before losing to Tug Valley in the Section title game but advanced to the Region Championship game at Wahama before being ousted by the White Falcons.
They should be right in the hunt this season once again for a shot to get to Charleston along with Tug Valley, Huntington St. Joe and Wahama.
The schedule is daunting once again with home and home games against Tug Valley, Huntington St. Joe, Mingo Central, Calvary Baptist, Glenwood ( OH ) and Greenup Co. ( KY ).
The Rebels will also play Section foes Sherman and Van, they will host Man and then make a special trip to Knightstown, Indiana to play Man on the court that is famous for the movie Hoosiers on February 17th.
2023-24 Rebel Juniors
Bray Mollette, Cole Blackburn, Parker Watts, Cam Perkins
The Rebels will open the season with three straight road games in three different states with a trip to Greenup Co. ( KY ) on Friday at Hurley ( VA ) Saturday afternoon and December 12th at Van before their home opener on Friday December 15th against Mingo Central.
2023-24 Rebel Sophomores
Jaron Hodge, Dakota Blackburn, Landon Spence, Cyrus Chaudhry
2023-24 Rebel Freshman
Brody Caudill, Robert Evans, CJ Waller, Zach Waller, Peyton Muncy
Tolsia Head Coach Brian Stacy
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… We had a great off season… we’ve had anywhere from 10-15 kids in gym all summer. Probably best off-season we’ve had in my 3 years being here. Which we needed it big time got some young talent that needed that time to adjust from middle school to high school ball… Two freshmen coming in that’s going to have to play right off the bat in Robert Evans and CJ Waller…. Couple returning seniors In Josh Hofmeister who had a great summer and has been here with me the last three years and expect to hear his name this season… Bryson Muncy is back for his senior year has had rough summer. Actually fractured his hand in the regional game last year and ended up being in cast 6 weeks but he’s been great for CJ he’s pushed him all summer… Parker Watts coming back is are leading scorer from last season and had a great summer, he played on the AAU circuit in which like 7 or 8 of us took vacation together at the beach and went and watched him play. Bray Mollette is back and was our leading rebounder and a beast on the boards. Evan Ball who took over the PG spot towards the end the year last year will resume full time role at that spot this season. Couple names to listen for this season is Cole Blackburn, Dakota Blackburn and Camron Perkins hoping to have a deep bench this season.”
“… Once again we will play a tough schedule open up on the road at Greenup KY Friday and then travel to Hurley VA on Saturday those are two schools we’ve not played. Added Glennwood OH to schedule who were the small school state champs in Ohio few years ago.”
“… All in all we are looking for great season and a fun season. These boys are pretty tight knit group of boys. Like I said they took time away from the beach to go watch Parker play and they’ve done lot of community work together this summer they’re just great group of young men.”
LOVE MY REBELS!!!
Tolsia Senior Bryson Muncy
“… I can’t believe it’s my Senior it has absolutely flew by. Just seems like a little bit ago I was a freshman. It’s went by a lot quicker then I thought it would and I’m going to miss everything. I just want to take it day by day.”
“… Im just trying to lead by example and push the freshman and the underclassman in practice everyday. Got to get them ready for the competition that we play night in and night out. Try and be physical with them and it turn for them to push me as well. At the level we play you have to be able to play physical because the teams we play will try and intimidate and you have to be strong minded and strong willed to not let that bother you.”
“… I think for us to take the next step we have to really support each other and come together as a team. I really noticed in the Wahama game last year how important it was to come together and have each others back no matter what. They were a total team from start to finish and it showed on the court.”
Tolsia Junior Parker Watts
“… It motivates me to just work harder cause that game last year to end our season had me upset for awhile, it was just like a switch flipped and I just started going at it. weight room, training everything cause we want to get on the big floor this year… last year is last year but I think that game motivated a lot of people and is making us push harder and push each other
“… We have looked amazing so far. The first scrimmage our pack line defense was crazy good and the second scrimmage it slacked a little but all around we look like we are going to state. Everything was on point offensively the ball movement, plays we ran and rebounding it was all there.”
“… Man, words can’t describe how excited I am to get going, I’ve done made Goals for myself and my team to complete. We start with a big Kentucky school that has some talent but I think we got it. I’m just all around excited, I only have two years left with my second family so I’m gonna push and push and not let them get down. But yeah excited is an understatement.”
