Heritage Hills Patriots Open Gym Notebook:

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Heritage Hills is ushering in a new era with the hiring of long time JV Coach Josh Wetzel. With a blend of returning talent and a promising freshman class, Can Coach Wetzel and the Patriots secure that illusive Sectional</strong></em><strong><em> 32 Championship? </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1560951' first='Jake' last='Prior'] - 6'6” 2026 Wing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jake is a long and athletic wing that is looking to build off his terrific end to July to his senior season. He's a fluid athlete that can really shoot it and has improved his middle game. Jake is a four year varsity letterman that has been through it all so the rest of the young Patriots will look to him as a leader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140443' first='Tait' last='Wetzel'] - 6'6” 2027 Forward</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2964260,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/IMG_5359-rotated.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/IMG_5359-rotated.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2964260" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A physical forward that kept getting better and better with every game last season as a first year starter. Comfortable playing with his back to the basket or out on the perimeter. He has a reliable jump hook over his left shoulder. Also capable outside shooter and can drive close outs to create for himself and others. In 22 games last season he averaged 10 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1 steal, and 1.5 blocks per game on his way to being named Spencer County MVP.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140370' first='Gunner' last='Lubbehusen'] - 6'1” 2027 Guard </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive minded guard that will look to step into the starting point guard spot this season. Quick guard that will be at the point of attack pressuring the ball defensively. Aggressive with the ball in his hands, pushes the pace in the transition and does a good job advancing the ball and getting teammates involved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Micah Toler - 6'2” 2027 Wing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Micah wasn't at open gym because of football, but he's a physical wing that lives in the lane and finishes in traffic in a variety of different ways. One of the better all around athletes, he has the potential to be an impact defender that can play all over the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*Other Football Players unable to attend open gym*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2622051' first='Tyce' last='Winchell'] - 5'10” 2027 Guard</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• <strong>Aiden Fischer - 5'9” 2027 Guard</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trey Tyree - 6'2” 2027 Wing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athletic wing that will look to be a difference maker on the defensive end. Versatile athlete that is a “3 and D” archetype that will be called upon to defend, rebound, and hit open threes. Really good depth piece that will be getting big minutes of varsity action for the first time in his career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyson Engelbrecht</strong> <strong>- 5'9” 2028 Guard (Transfer from Princeton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Confident lead guard that transferred in from Princeton this season. Plays with great pace and excellent court vision. He will be a great depth in the backcourt for the Patriots. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Talented Freshman Class:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2953938' first='Ty' last='Wetzel'] - 6'3” 2029 Wing/Forward</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High potential young player with good size and length. He plays with a high motor and and when I saw him at the Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase he impacted the game on both ends of the floor. Unsure on what kind of impact he will have at the varsity level this season, but has a bright future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayden Gray - 5'8” 2029 Guard</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Confident lead guard that plays with a maturity and poise to his game. First time seeing him play was during open gym and he made some eye opening plays. Struggled to shoot it from three, and if he wants serious minutes he will have to tweak his jumper, but shoots and plays with superior confidence. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Connor Wagner - 6'2” 2029 Wing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The prospect I came away most intrigued by was 6'2” Freshman Wing Connor Wagner. Long and lanky prospect that has perimeter skills and instincts that you just can't teach. Really good catch and shoot threat. Rebounds at a high level defensively and showed he can lead the break and make sound decisions. Physicality and speed of the game will obviously be issues for him this season but he has a projectable frame that will make him a problem for teams in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->