Fort Gay, W. Va. — The Tolsia Boys basketball team is under new leadership as Brian Stacy takes over a team that went 10-5 last season.
Tolsia Coaches
Greg Fleming, Brian Stacy, Brandon Stacy
After losing all five starters from last season the Rebels will open up the year at the defending Class A state champion Man Hillbillies on Wednesday night.
Tyler Johnson, Rob Cantrell, Austin Salmons, Gavin Meadows, Levi Watts and Trey Brumfield graduated and 1,200 point scorer Jesse Muncy transferred but Head Coach Brian Stacy is digging in and is very excited about the group of players that he will have on opening night and says the Rebels will have to rely on quickness.
He says this group has some speed to burn led by Seniors Dylan Dawson, Eli Blackburn and CJ Johnson, fellow Senior Anthony Lovins is the team’s most experienced player and is a knockdown shooter from the outside. Highly touted Freshman Parker Watts will be called on early to provide some offense along with Juniors David Dingess and Colton Austin. The Rebels hope to get Senior Dylan Vanhoose, who is hurt, after the first of year.
2021-2021 Tolsia Rebels
L to R Bottom– Ben Clayton, David Dingess, Ray Muncy, Eli Blackburn, Anthony Lovins, Dylan Dawson, CJ Johnson, Colton Austin
L to R Top– Brandon Stacy, Kaden Preece, Julian Vance, Luke Williamson, David Meddings, Brian Stacy, Parker Watts, Cole Blackburn, Josh Hofmeister, John Stewart, Greg Fleming, Gavin Hodge not pictured Dylan Vanhoose
The schedule is brutal for Tolsia this season. They will play state champion Man twice, state semifinalist Tug Valley twice, Double A state champion Williamstown, Martin Co. twice, Wayne Co. rivals Spring Valley and Wayne twice and two games in the Hatfield/McCoy Shootout at the Williamson Field House.
The Rebels home opener will be Monday December 13th against the Wayne Pioneers.
Tolsia Seniors
L to R Ray Muncy, Eli Blackburn, Anthony Lovins, Dylan Dawson, CJ Johnson
Tolsia Head Coach Brian Stacy
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… I’m more excited now, I told the boys that I have never coached a team with this much speed. We are not where we need to be when we play Man on December 8th but we are getting there. We are a work in progress but we will get there. We are taking it one day at a time.”
“…We have a quick bunch out here and we are going to have to use that to our advantage this year. We got Colton Austin, Dylan Dawson, Eli Blackburn who are wide open all the time. When we do our shell drills we go all out. Mark Marcum always put emphasis on those and we run them every day. If we don’t use our quickness we could struggle. We have to get easy buckets in transition and cause turnovers.”
“… We got one kid out with a broken bone but other than that we are ready to move forward with who we got in the gym right now. We did lose a couple kids and I hate it but we have to move forward with what we have. Everyone is starting to buy in to what we are preaching and they have responding pretty well so far. We got some kids that are stepping up and that’s great to see.”
“… Taking the kids to the Huntington City Mission was always something I wanted to do since I started coaching and at the middle school level it’s a lot tougher but at the high school level it was something we got to do and it was a great day for our kids. I think our guys really enjoyed themselves as well. They put us to work doing whatever they needed. It is something that I have always wanted to do and all of our kids showed up and it was truly something to be associated with. We made a whole day of it. We met here and fed them, went to the city mission and then hung out and ate and then drove to Wellston Ohio for a scrimmage it was a long day but a fulfilling day for everyone involved. We will also have a motivational speaker come in and talk to the kids and we also had a bonfire with all of the kids as well and it went great. We have a great group of kids and ready to get the season going with them.”
Tolsia Senior Anthony Lovins
PLAYERS’ COMMENTS
“… It has flew by really fast. Seems like yesterday I was coming in as a freshman. I have made a lot of memories and I’m just ready to get the season going.”
“… It’s been a wild transition the last three years. I didn’t play much varsity my freshman year but the last two years I have started off and on a little bit and I have played in some big games. This year my role will be much bigger and I have bring the experience that have to our team. Ready to get going.”
“… I’m always excited for the Tug Valley game because that’s where I’m from. I’m also excited for the Martin Co. we play them home and home. They have a nice place to play. Also Man they are the defending state champions and we can see what we can do against them.”
“… Really looking forward to our home opener which is always exciting plus it’s a county rival in Wayne who we don’t play much so it should be a really good game.”
“… Everything is whole lot different now, we are really emphasizing on defense now and not shooting as many threes as years past. We are working the ball inside and trying to get easier shots. I’m just trying to use my experience this season of playing in big games and keep everyone calm if things don’t go our way.”
Tolsia Senior Dylan Dawson
“… It feels great to be back, I’m so glad to be back on the court and with my team. We are looking good so far and I’m ready for the season to get going against Man.”
“… I did have some regrets about not playing last year but I was trying to keep my grades because we were on virtual and stuck it home. I thought that was more important at the time.”
“… As soon as the season ended I knew I was going to play my senior year no matter what. It has flew by and it’s my last year it’s really hard to believe honestly. Feels like yesterday I was a freshman going against Jacob Mollette and Will Spaulding and those guys.”
“… I think defense will be the key for us this season. We have worked on it a ton since practice has started. We are going to keep the same pace on offense and try to use our quickness.”
“… Excited to play Man because they won the state championship last year. Always excited to play against Tug Valley because they are our rival and it’s always a big game. Also playing Wayne in our home opener should be fun the stands should be packed and they will be a ton of energy inside the gym.”
