Fort Gay, W. Va. — It’s always better late than never as the Tolsia Boys Basketball team opened the season this week after being out of action for 368 calendar days.
Tolsia 2021 Boys Roster
#1 Junior Steven Ward 6-3
#2 Freshman Julian Vance 5-7
#3 Sophomore Ben Clayton 5-11
#5 Junior Zack Walker 6-1
#10 Sophomore Colton Austin 5-8
#11 Senior Austin Salmons 6-1
#12 Senior Gavin Meadows 6-1
#13 Senior Rob Cantrell 6-1
#14 Freshman Hayden Pennington 5-10
#15 Junior Elijah Fox 6-2
#20 Senior Tyler Johnson 5-9
#22 Junior Anthony Lovins 6-1
#23 Junior Jesse Muncy 5-9
#30 Senior Levi Watts 6-0
#32 Senior Trey Brumfield 6-4
#33 Sophomore David Dingess 6-1
#34 Junior Eli Blackburn 5-10
#44 Freshman Bryson Muncy 6-1
#50 Freshman Josh Hofmeister 5-8
#55 Freshman Bradee Vance 5-7
Head Coach Todd Maynard
Assistant Coach Kevin Salmons
Assistant Coach Aaron Walker
The Rebels, who were tabbed #8 in the AP pre season poll in Class A, will return a ton of experience from a team that won 12 games last year and 16 the year before and were one win away from Charleston. Tolsia will suit up 6 seniors with four of them slated to start and 6 juniors with one of those being Jesse Muncy averaged 21.2 PPG and is just 23 points away from 1,000 for his career.
The Rebels will have four guys that have been with the program the entire time. Those include Tyler Johnson who averaged 14.7 PPG, Austin Salmons average 10 PPG and was the teams leading rebounder and Rob Cantrell also averaged 10 PPG but missed the last six games because of an injury and Trey Brumfield. Those four came into the program with Head Coach Todd Maynard and took some lumps as freshman with only six wins but these seniors will leave the program in better shape. Senior Gavin Meadows who was a key contributor as a sophomore is back after missing last season. Juniors Anthony Lovins and Steven Ward will also be counted on this season. 10th graders David Dingess and Colton Austin could provide depth.
Tolsia Seniors
L to R Levi Watts, Rob Cantrell, Austin Salmons, Trey Brumfield, Gavin Meadows, Tyler Johnson
Tolsia Juniors
L to R Jesse Muncy, Zack Walker, Steven Ward, Elijah Fox, Anthony Lovins, Eli Blackburn
Tolsia Sophomores
L to R Ben Clayton, David Dingess, Colton Austin
Tolsia Freshmen
L to R Julian Vance, Bradee Vance, Bryson Muncy, Josh Hofmeister, Hayden Pennington
Tolsia Boys Basketball 2021 Schedule
March 5th at Rose Hill
March 6th vs Spring Valley
March 9th at Man
March 12th vs Tug Valley
March 16th vs Van
March 18th at St. Joe
March 20th vs Tygarts Valley ( HIT )
March 23rd vs Point Pleasant
March 27th at South Harrison ( HIT )
March 29th vs Grace Christian
March 30th vs Riverview
April 1st at Grace Christian
April 2nd vs St. Joe
April 6th at Tug Valley
April 8th at Van
April 10 at WV HIT Final
April 13th at Point Pleasant
April 16th at Spring Valley
April 17-23 Section at Logan
April 28th Region Final
May 4-8 State Tournament
Tolsia Head Coach Todd Maynard
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… It goes by so fast each year. It hard to believe we sit here today getting ready for the season. It’s been a real challenge with the COVID pandemic in our country then the ice storm and flooding as well. Just geeked blessed to get things going at Rose Hill. It’s a special group for me because these seniors because they were freshman when I got here and now they are getting ready to finish up. We are excited to get back on the floor, I have to smack myself sometimes because each time we are together it’s one day closer to not being around them basketball wise but I’m excited for them and all of the kids to be back on the floor.”
“… It definitely crossed my mind for sure that we may not have a season at all. During football and the winter it was tough. In Wayne Co. we were in the red for multiple weeks in a row in November and December so we wouldn’t have gotten to play anyway so it has been a blessing so far that our season was pushed back. A lot of parents, kids and coaches were eager to get started but with more vaccinations and such hopefully we can get a season in and hopefully everyone stays safe.”
“… It really feels like Mother Nature doesn’t want us to play or go to school sometimes but I tell the kids all the time to control what you can and what you can’t you can’t. We don’t want it to get us down anymore then it already has. We are following all of the guidelines set by the SSAC and the state with temperature checks, masked up and social distancing in practice. It’s a little bit strange but you have to do what you have to do to get to play. The kids understand and have been great, they know it’s been 365 or so days so they will do what you ask to get to play. It’s been a long stretch for sure.”
“… Our schedule is tough throughout and their is no rest for the weary the first four games with Rose Hill who is much improved, Class 4A Spring Valley were I was assistant under Cory Maynard who is a buddy of mine. As far as I know this is the first matchup between the two Wayne Co. schools. In my opinion Wayne, Tolsia and Spring Valley should play every year. On the road at section opponent #4 Man and #5 Tug Valley at home. So we will be challenged right off the bat. This was the third schedule that I made this year so it was hard to matchup dates with certain teams and get it all together. You try to commit to the teams you were originally scheduled to play.”
“… With the condensed season and not much practice time I’m glad to have some experienced players in our system. I couldn’t imagine being a new coach this season trying to put my stuff in with not much time at all. We have Seniors Tyler Johnson, Rob Cantrell, Austin Salmons, Gavin Meadows and Trey Brumfield along with Juniors Jesse Muncy, Anthony Lovins, Steven Ward and Elijah Fox who have been around for 3-4 years and they know what we do and what we are about.”
“… The WV HIT is a great tourney for us to compete in and our kids really enjoy it. It’s a huge event and it’s based on you each team plays to win the championship. We play a team from each class with 4A Spring Valley, 3A Point Pleasant, 2A St. Joe and some tough class 1A schools. We have the toughest schedule in the section IMO. Our schedule is blended very well. We don’t have a cupcake in there. We should be prepared for a postseason run. We scrimmaged 4A Huntington High on Tuesday and we competed well. They put us in uncomfortable situations because they are so long and athletic but they will help us down the road.”
SENIOR COMMENTS
Tolsia Senior Trey Brumfield
“… It has flew by, seems like just yesterday I was just walking into Rebel Arena as a Tolsia Basketball player for the first time. It has been really crazy how fast it has gone by.
“… Last year was heartbreaking how our season ended. We battled so much last year with sickness and injuries and it finally caught up to us against Van. We wanted another shot at Tug Valley in the section championship and another chance at going to state. It was painful.”
“… They don’t just feel like teammates they honestly feel like family. I didn’t know many people when I got to Tolsia so they were pretty much the first friends that I made. It’s truly been a blessing to know those guys.”
“… When we won the section over Tug Valley at Rebel Arena I front of all those people it was an amazing feeling. Those matchups with them are classics for sure.
“… Playing under Coach Maynard and Coach Salmons the last three years has been great and I can’t thank those guys enough for being so good to me. Also Coach Walker the last two years has stepped in and help in JV so much. I love all three of them and wouldn’t want to play for anybody else.”
Tolsia Senior Rob Cantrell
“… Man I’m ready to get going, excited to be out there with my teammates again. It’s been a long time coming with Covid. Ready to see what we got it’s been over since we have played a game. Just ready to see what we can do and make another run toward state.”
“…It was stressful just wondering and waiting to see if we were even going to get to play. Governer Justice just kept pushing it back Cecile of Covid restrictions. I wasn’t sure if we were going to get to play. We were supposed to start practice then the ice storm hit and then the flooding the past weekend it been terrible on a lot of people. Hopefully the weather starts to clear and we can get some games in soon.”
“ …Ready to see what we can do against Tug Valley and Man. Our schedule is tough but we are prepared. The Seniors are ready to do it our last go around but I wouldn’t take anything away from the last three years.”
Tolsia Senior Tyler Johnson
“… It’s been a long long time since we played a game. I’m just ready for sure. Just been working and trying to get better. We have all worked when we could even though we had a lot of restrictions with the pandemic.”
“… Not getting season crossed my mind a bunch once it got pushed back right before the season started. I have just tried to keep myself occupied and working out as much as I can. I was stressed for sure and just kept hoping and hoping things would get better.”
“… It’s unbelievable how fast it has went by, like a blink of an eye and we are now preparing for our senior year. It went by way to fast for sure.”
“… Looking forward to playing Man and Tug Valley those teams are ranked ahead of us and we are out to prove people wrong. Don’t doubt us just yet.”
Tolsia Senior Gavin Meadows
“… I’m just glad to be playing sports again with how football ended. It was a tough way to go out. I’m excited to get back in the court with my teammates. I think we are going to have a big year.”
“… After a couple games last year I regretted not playing. I tried to come back later in the year and it was to late which I understood completely. I’m so glad to be back now.”
“… It’s incredible how fast it has went by. Seems just that I was walking in here for freshman orientation and now we are here. It’s crazy for sure.”
“… I was stressed after football that I would never bet to play another high school game. I was down in the dumps for a while but I’m really happen we are getting started.”
“… I think all of our guys have matured and worked hard and we ready to compete together. Looking forward to playing Man, Tug Valley and Spring Valley to see how we matchup.”
Tolsia Senior Austin Salmons
“… It has went by so quick, just seems like the other we were coming in here for our first day of practice as freshman and if anyone really you different they are wrong.”
“… I knew it was a possibility that we wouldn’t get a season but I want to play at least one game my senior year. Sitting at the house hasn’t been fun.”
“… In the AP poll that just came out Man and Tug Valley were ranked ahead of us so I’m really looking forward to playing those teams. Those teams are in our section as well. Should be some really competitive games.”
“… Playing for my Dad all these years some might call it daddy ball but I have put the work in and I’ve earned my spot and I’ve earned playing time. We do a god job of separating basketball from home life for sure. It’s been fun playing for him. He is hard on me but we both understand the dynamic of Coach and Dad.”
Tolsia Senior Levi Watts
“…There has been some complications with my body trying to adapt to conditioning, like pulled muscles, but other than that everything is awesome and team and coaches is like a second family to me.”
“… I’m just looking to bring motivation to the team and get to Charleston.”
“…Tug Valley is definitely number 1 just because they are Tolsia’s biggest rival. Man is another big game, they are number 1 in section and it’s important to take the win in that game.”
“… I can’t wait to get on the floor. For me it’s been quite awhile, and that just makes me more anxious to get out there with my team!”
