By KIM NORTH

Times Leader Sports Writer

BARNESVILLE – Barnesville boys basketball head coach Johnny Hines is hoping two returning lettermen and a strong sophomore class will help make up for huge graduation losses.

He will be relying on juniors Asa Geilinger (6-2) and Taison Starr (5-10), and sophomores Cam Carpenter (5-9), Casey Carpenter (5-10), Salvador Almaraz (6-0) and Bryson Eddy (5-7). He also likes what he has seen from freshman Braeden Willis (5-10).

“This group brings a lot of flexibility and we have some letterwinners from the football program bringing some more toughness we will need game in and game out,” Hines explained.

“Asa started mid-season as a freshman until injury cut his campaign short late in the season,” Hines said. “He really came into his own as a sophomore and will be taking on a huge leadership role this year.

“Taison is the only other returning letterman. He was a role player a year ago and will see his role expand this year,” Hines continued. “He had a heck of a football season and brings a level of toughness to our group.

“We only have one senior – Jon Blizzard (6-0). He is returning after being away for a season,” Hines noted. “Jon, even though being away for a season, brings a level of leadership we desperately need after the departure of our three captains from last year.”

Those captains included 4-year veterans Colton Hines and Kason Powell, along with 3-year letterwinner Jeremy Hunkler. Hines left as the program’s all-time assist leader, while Powell scored more than 1,000 points and was the team’s leading rebounder a year ago.

Hunkler finished in the top three in assists, points and rebounds.

Completing the roster are juniors Ben Holskey (5-11) and Jack Phillips (5-11).

“We will be young but we will play physical,” Hines stressed. “That will be our main strength – toughness. Our weaknesses will be our youth and a little inexperienced, but playing tough will buy us some time and a chance to develop and build a good team chemistry.”

Ticketed for JV duty are sophomores Isaiah Myers (5-9), Devin Crumbaker (5-8), Kole Carpenter (5-9) and Macguire Clouse (6-0). Freshmen are Ryler Willis (5-10), Max Miller (5-10), Dylan Blon (5-9), Brody McFarland (5-9) and Jack Anderson (5-7).

Hines is assisted by Jeff Hunkler, Shane Stephens, Jamie Carpenter and Chris Hannahs. The junior high staff includes Jeremie Detling, Hunter Carpenter, Corey Powell and Sam Wells.