HAMPSTEAD – By most standards, the boys and girls basketball teams at Topsail High School had good seasons last year.
The Topsail boys finished with an overall record of 18-9 that included a 10-4 record in the East Central 2A Conference, thought by many to be the toughest 2A conference in the east, and some think in the state.
The Lady Pirates finished 13-12 overall, and they did it with a team of quick, smallish players as they lacked the height required to compete for one of the top spots in the conference which, on the girls’ side, is almost as tough as the boys.
The boys bring back seven returning players from that 18-9 team, including starters Tyler Hagan, Trevor Savidge, and Jarrin Sullivan, and a group of players who should provide some talent and depth to go along with the three returnees.
The girls are sort of starting over with Jim Clanahan, a highly successful boys coach in Georgia, taking the reins from Sarah Graves, who left to pursue a teaching position in New Hanover County.
Clanahan welcomes three girls back – seniors Mindi White and Victoria Reilly, and junior Chandler Skipper – who saw considerable varsity playing time last year, but he also has a group of young girls that should make the team better, taller, and deeper.
Topsail boys Coach Jeff Gainey likes what he sees of his group in the early practices, and points to experience as one of the team’s major strengths.
“We return three starters, and two of them (Hagan and Savidge) have played in 54 varsity games and both made all-conference a year ago,” Gainey said. “Overall this is a great group and they are working hard to get better.
“The one thing we have to do to compete is get better defensively. Everyone must embrace their role. I like where we are to a point but it’s going to take some time for everything to come together.”
Gainey had a hard time discerning which of the conference teams was the team to beat but – in no particular order – he listed Croatan, Northside, Clinton, Richlands and South Lenoir as conference contenders, while saying of his own team, “We hope to compete for one of the playoff spots.”
The three veterans – Savidge (nine points, six rebounds per game last year), Hagan (nine points, seven boards), and Sullivan (three points, three assists, three rebounds) – will need to be at the top of their games on most nights for a playoff spot to happen.
“Trev (6-foot-3) and Tyler (6-foot-3) both must play with a high level of energy each night,” Gainey said. “And Jarrin (6-foot-2) has to put us in situations where we can execute.”
Behind those three are four players – seniors Mason Kimmel, Matt Gilgo, Devin Williams, and Davis Ball – who are competing for a starting position and significant playing time.
“Matt (6-foot-2) was a key off the bench last year and he must play within himself,” Gainey said. “Davis (6-foot-4) plays with a lot of energy and he has gotten better every year, Devin (6-foot-1) will give us minutes in the post, and Mason (six-feet) must play with a lot of energy.”
Depth, along with the solid size factor, is something that the Pirates will have this year with several other players battling to get on the court including junior guards Jeremiah Bland, and Shannon Washington, junior forwards Tanner Surratt (6-foot-3), sophomore forward Jake Sullivan (6-foot-3), and sophomore guard Austin Schoenleber (6-foot-1).
Early appearances indicate Clanahan (204-144 as boys coach in Georgia) is blessed with something that Graves did not have in recent past seasons – height.
Reilly and Mindi White both started last year, and both can play the game. Reilly battles hard under the boards while White is one of those players every coach wants – one who will go through a wall for you.
Skipper has shown the ability to shoot the ball, she just needs more confidence in her own abilities, and she could provide some valuable scoring. Senior volleyball standout Carlie Smith (6-foot-2) is out for the first time in three years and she has already impressed with her athletic ability.
Sophomore Kayla Hyatt (5-foot-11) will also be a major contributor. Hyatt had worked her way into the starting lineup last year as a freshman before an injury cut her season short.
Junior Reagan Holloway is another athletic volleyball player who is out for the basketball team, and she should be able to contribute both defensively and on the boards.
The future and perhaps the present lies in the younger girls who are vying for a spot on the varsity. Sophomore Kealey Wohglemuth has a year of varsity experience under her belt now, and she should be better equipped to handle the demands of varsity basketball.
Don’t be surprised to see two freshmen – Amberly Wolf and Keri White – getting significant playing time, along with Payton Schoenleber, Lauren Lee, and Emma Wolff.
Both teams will get a huge test in their season opener when they welcome 4A power Ashley to Hampstead. That game will be followed up by home games against 3A Jacksonville (Nov. 28) and 1A perennial power Pender (Nov. 30).
