#TerryTalks Catching Up With The Buckhorn Bucks

The Buckhorn Bucks finished the 2021-2022 campaign with a 38-51 loss to Hazel Green in the round of 32. According to MaxPreps.com, their final record was 17-12. They had some good quality showings, and even in their losses, the games were tight. The season showed a lot of promise of what could come in the future with the young talented squad, led my phenom, Caleb Holt.   I caught up with head coach Patrick Harding who is excited about the future of his program. When I asked him what he needed to see from his team in the month of June, he was quick and unwavering in his response, "We have to get stronger and must develop an attacking mentality on both ends of the floor."   The question that looms over the Bucks program for the next four years is evident, can Caleb Holt lead them to the state championship. The Bucks will have a year of experience under their belt and could emerge as one of the top programs in the state next year.   Let’s take a look at key pieces to the puzzle for the Bucks...   <blockquote> Key Returning Players: </blockquote>   Caleb Holt (6’4/SG/2026) Instagram: Iam_caleb_holt Twitter: N/A   One of the most exciting and explosive players in Alabama is Caleb. Yes, I am talking about a current 8th grader who is possibly amongst the top 5 players in the entire state regardless of classification. Offensively he can do it all, and the scary part about it all is that he hasn’t even figured it out yet. If he stays in the lab, he could possibly write his name in the records as one of Alabama’s best ever. He is an elite competitor, and one thing I hope never departs his game is how hard he works on the defensive end of the floor. He is a next-level athlete that excels at getting to the rim and can be just as lethal from behind the arc. Whether it is in June or when next season kicks off, I encourage you to go see this young man.   Jeremiah Wilson (6’3/PG/2025) Instagram: jwilso567 Twitter: @Bucketboi_j   Jeremiah is a freshman that gave Buckhorn some solid minutes last year and will be looked upon to take his game to another level next season. One thing that I am seeing is the emergence of really good backcourt tandems that will be across the state next year. One of the youngest tandems that will make noise is Jeremiah and Caleb. The question for this backcourt is simple, can they lead Buckhorn to the Final Four? J is a very good shooter from the perimeter that benefits significantly from Caleb’s ability to put pressure on the rim. When J is facilitating the offense, he has very good court vision and is a next-level passer. I am looking forward to seeing the continued development of J as a player and the continued growth of him and Caleb as a dynamic backcourt.   [player_tooltip player_id="1091914" first="Austen" last="Childress"] (6’2/G/2024) Instagram: N/A Twitter: N/A   Austen is a great athlete with a wingspan teetering above 6-foot. His strength is getting to the rack, and he will be looked upon to be another source of scoring, especially as teams throw the kitchen sink at Buckhorn in attempts to contain Caleb. June will be a very important month for Austen as he looks to be more of a focused threat on the offensive end of the court.   <blockquote> Players Ready To Make A Difference: </blockquote>   Carter Malires (Guard/2023) Instagram: N/A Twitter: N/A   Carter will benefit from all of the elite athletes that surround him. The coaching staff believes that he can be a major factor because of his ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter. If Carter can be a reliable source of production from behind the arc, the Bucks could make a lot of noise.   Jordan Lindsey (Point Guard) Instagram: N/A Twitter: N/A   The coaching staff is showing a lot of confidence in the potential that Jordan can bring on varsity next year as he steps up from JV. Jordan will need the month of June to get varsity reps, make adjustments and experience the ups and downs of varsity basketball so when November comes around, he is not caught looking like a deer in headlights.   <blockquote> Here’s Where You Can Catch The Trojans In June: </blockquote>   June 2: UAH June 10: University of Alabama June 14: Huntsville HS June 17-18: AHSAA Event June 21: Buckhorn HS June 25-26: GBCA (Lakepoint)   <blockquote> Follow The Bucks: </blockquote>   Instagram: buckhornbasketball Twitter: @bkbbucks