2023-2024 Team Preview: Chelsea Hornets

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Chelsea Hornets</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Class 7A Area 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Head Coach: Nick Baumbaugh</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Last Season Record: 16-12&nbsp;<em>(According to maxpreps.com)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Instagram:&nbsp;</strong>chelseaboysbb</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>X/Twitter</strong>: @ChelseaBoysBB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2257712' first='Avery' last='Futch']&nbsp;</strong>(6'3/PF/'24)<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: ohaveryhenextup</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X/Twitter: @averyfutch05</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Avery is a two-year starter who averaged 12pts and 6rebs the last two years. During that span, he led his squad in rebounding and 3-point % (37%). He is a big body that can play inside and outside and will need to continue his production in order for the Hornets to reach their team goals this year. Avery will be looked upon for on-the-court and off-court leadership and will bring experience to a team looking to establish a presence in a tough 7A classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1753241' first='Aiden' last='Owens']&nbsp;</strong>(6'4/PF/'25)<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Aiden is a two-year starter who has improved his game tremendously. He has started at the Center position the last two years but will get action out on the perimeter this upcoming season. He is developing into a leader on the team and will be looked upon for offensive production. There are a lot of expectations surrounding Aiden coming from the coaching staff as they are expecting big things from him. One thing is sure: Aiden has developed into a player who will relish and welcome the expectations.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2257715' first='Gavin' last='Collett']&nbsp;</strong>(6'3/Wing/'24)<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: gavincollett5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X/Twitter: @gavincollett05</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Gavin started twelve games as a Junior and is considered a blue-collar caliber player for the Hornets. He does all the little things for his squad by making winning plays that do not always appear in the box score. Last year, he set two school records: one, by taking six charges in a single game, and the other, he had twenty-seven charges for the season. He is a two-way player who, offensively, can be trusted to take big shots in big moments, and defensively, he will be expected to guard the other team's best perimeter player. Gavin brings senior leadership and is another player that the Hornets will look to for leadership, as he is one who leads by example.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">When asked about two players who will be key pieces of the puzzle for his team this season that were not listed in the top three above, Coach Nick quickly mentioned the following two players: <strong>Braden Macon</strong> and <strong>Christen Whetstone</strong>. Braden will jump into the starting lineup after playing behind other guys his Junior year. He is small in size but impacts the game on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he has a nice range and is a solid floor general, while defensively, he is a tough on-ball defender. Christen had a breakout Junior year and will be expected to follow last year with a better Senior season. He is a lengthy wing player who causes problems on the front of the Hornets press. His shooting has improved tremendously this offseason, and many surrounding the Hornets program believe he will catch people off guard this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Look for the Hornets to push the tempo on both ends of the floor. They have great length and can put four guys on the floor over 6'3. Look for Coach Nick to use the size of his team to his advantage on both ends of the floor. This team may be one of the better shooting teams that Coach Nick has had, as he spoke of how his team has worked relentlessly this offseason on their shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">When asked what it would take for his team to make a deep playoff run, make it to the Final Four, or even win the State Championship, Coach Nick told me first and foremost, his team will have to get out of a tough area with Hewitt, Spain Park, and Oak Mountain. Class 7A basketball is tough everywhere, and he knows that his guys will need to rise to the challenge of what is in front of them on a daily basis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->