Independence Eagles Season Preview
In this article:
Reigning State Champions, the Independence Eagles must take a skydive this year after graduating the program's All-Time Leading Scorer Jett Montgomery. Right? Right?
Head Coach: Mark Wilkins
Independence High History
State Championship Record: 6-2
Appearances (3): 2024, 2023, 2017
Team Runner-up (1): 2023
Team Champions (1): 2024
Independence High Roster
Starters*
| # | Name | Class | Position | Height | Weight |
| 0 | Harris Hall | Jr. | SF | 6'3" | 170 lbs |
| 2 | George Marbury* | So. | SF | 6'3" | 165 lbs |
| 3 | Nick Abdullah | Sr. | PG/SG | 5'11" | 150 lbs |
| 4 | Kobi Jackson | Soph. | PG | 5'10" | -- |
| 5 |
Tylan Lewis
Tylan
Lewis
6'3" | PG
Independence | 2025
State
TN
* | Sr. | PG | 6'2" | 185 lbs |
| 10 |
Dawsyn Miller
Dawsyn
Miller
6'1" | PG
Independence | 2025
TN
* | Sr. | G | 6'1" | 170 lbs |
| 11 | Payton Gordon | Sr. | G | 6'0" | 145 lbs |
| 14 |
Jaxson Koch
Jaxson
Koch
6'3" | SF
Independence | 2025
TN
| Sr. | SF | 6'3" | 181 lbs |
| 15 |
Jacob Duryea
Jacob
Duryea
6'3" | SF
Independence | 2025
State
TN
* | Jr. | SF | 6'3" | 192 lbs |
| 24 |
Nick Degnan
Nick
Degnan
6'2" | PG
Independence | 2025
State
TN
* | Sr. | SG | 6'2" | 175 lbs |
| 25 | Jack Morris | Sr. | C | - |
Williamson County Media Day (partial transcript)
MEDIA: Do you expect you will get every team's best shot this year?
HC Mark Wilkins: We experienced it last year that it was a big deal to people [to play us]. We have a great group of senior boys that have watched tirelessly a couple of great groups graduate and now it is their turn. It has not been a lot of motivating for me.
MEDIA: How do you keep your teammates hungry and humble?
Tylan Lewis
Tylan
Lewis
6'3" | PG
Independence | 2025
State
TN
: We have a lot of seniors that wanted to play last year [as juniors]. So, they are very hungry and ready to show what they can do. Coach speaks about being better than ever. At the end of practice, when doing certain things, just be better than last year.
MEDIA:
Tylan Lewis
Tylan
Lewis
6'3" | PG
Independence | 2025
State
TN
: Jett leaving...he was a great piece for us. We played great together. It is my time to lead and lead in scoring and lead my team to winning like Jett did last year.
MEDIA: Veterans. Tell us who we will see.
HC Mark Wilkins: His role is bigger. He is going to be a 1000-point scorer. He still feels like there is so much more for him to prove. Dawson Miller hit some huge shots. Would not have won it without him [against Rossview].
Nick Degnan
Nick
Degnan
6'2" | PG
Independence | 2025
State
TN
comes in. He is very familiar to Williamson County coming to us from Brentwood. It is exciting to me that they are excited for our teammates. This senior class was my first class when I came to Independence. I am all they know. I am excited to see them grow.
MEDIA:
HC Mark Wilkins: Nick Abdullah. Kind of reminds us of Josh Owens. the fiery redhead who took all of those charges. He told me he looks up to Josh and wants to be that kind of a player.
Jack Morris.
MEDIA: Guys stepping up and into bigger roles.
HC Mark Wilkins: I think it helps. Thankfully, we have gotten a couple of extra weeks of practice every year. When it comes to pressure you can't simulate that. I think playing in Williamson County helps because when you have fans yelling at you and going crazy, you are already used to it. There is not going to be a lot of fear out there because of the experience that we have in the locker room.
MEDIA: Who will be the toughest player you will face this year?
Tylan Lewis
Tylan
Lewis
6'3" | PG
Independence | 2025
State
TN
: Probably Christian [Brown]. He is just so dynamic. He can shoot a little bit from the perimeter. He demands a double team and from there he can pass out of it well. Probably the best player.
