Everything was lined up for a disaster of a season for the Bell County Bobcats last winter after losing seven seniors and around 50 points per game from a 25-6 squad that won a 52nd District title and made it all the way to the 13th Region Tournament semifinals in 2022.
Coach Brad Sizemore and the young Bobcats picked up the pieces and went to work. Instead of disaster, the Bobcats produced a competitive and scrappy squad that battled to a 15-15 mark in the regular season before suffering a hard fought loss to Harlan in the 52nd District Tournament.
A team dominated by freshman last year has gained a valuable year of experience heading into the 2024 season, and Sizemore is excited about the Bobcats’ potential even though they did suffer one big graduation loss in Dawson Woolum and his team-high 23.5 points per game.
“I’m really excited because we have several kids back and we’re still really young with no seniors and only one junior,” Sizemore said. “As long I’ve been doing this, and we’ll see how it plays out in the regular season, but this is probably the best 3-point shooting team I’ve had the opportunity to work with. I feel we can put four guys out there who can all make shots. We have two really good ball handlers. I feel we’ll be hard to guard, and this group shares the ball well. They look for each other. I feel we’ll be able to put some points on the board.”
While he likes his team’s offense, Sizemore knows the Bobcats’ youth and lack of size could hurt in some matchups against the region’s elite teams.
“We have to get better defensively to guard the other teams’ best players as far as keeping them from getting to the rim,” he said. “I feel that will be something we have to focus on. There are some teams in our district that have guards who can give us problems. We’re not very big, so we have to be able to rebound and stay out of foul trouble. If we do get in foul trouble, those guys we bring in off the bench have to be able to rebound. I think if anything is going to be an issue for us it’s keeping these older teams off the backboard.”
Sophomore point guard Blake Burnett (15.2 points per game last season, 4.3 rebounds) is back for his second season directing the Bell offense and provides valuable leadership for a young squad.
“I think Blake will have a huge season. He does so many things well for us,” Sizemore said. “He handles the ball for us, and he can score going to the rim and hit 3-point shots. He’s also probably our best defensive player and a good rebounder. The moment is never too big for him. I feel we’ll go as he goes this year. Plus, we have pieced to put around him, and he finds the open man. I think he will be a special player for us this year as well as down the road.”
Junior guard Cameron Hall (10.7, 2.9) provides another perimeter threat for Bell as he also returns for his second year as a starter.
“Cameron has gotten a lot bigger and stronger this year. We feel he’s a matchup problem for a lot of teams as far as getting to the basket because he has a quick first step and is another kid who is a great 3-point shooter,” Sizemore said. “He’s our only upperclassmen, and we expect him to have a big year.”
Cayden Huff (4.8, 4.7), a 6-2 sophomore, was injured in last year’s district tournament but made it back for summer workouts and impressed the coaching staff.
“He’s going to surprise people coming back from his injury,” Sizemore said. “He played most of the summer with us, and we feel he’s going to be able to score around the basket and be our best rebounder.”
Ethan Buell (8.2, 3.8), a 6-5 freshman, provides length and firepower for the Bobcats.
“I think Ethan has made a huge jump this offseason. He’s gotten a lot stronger and more athletic going to the basket,” Sizemore said. “I think he’ll one of the better underclassmen in this region. He has the ability to handle the ball and get to the basket. He is also a great 3-point shooter. We’re really excited about him.”
Standout freshman guard Jaxon Thomas (2.6) is expected to round out the lineup after impressive performances last year in leading the junior varsity and freshman squads.
“You never know what a kid will do until you get in a regular season game, but Jaxon had a great summer. I was very surprised at how well he was able to score the ball at the varsity level,” Sizemore said. “He may be one of the best shooters I’ve had the opportunity to work with. I think he will be a big surprise for a lot of people.”
Sophomore guard Logan Stepp and freshman guard Chase Wilder could also provide valuable depth, along with 6-2 seventh grade guard Braxton Ferguson.
“I feel we will have three solid kids we’ll bring off the bench,” Sizemore said. “Logan is a really smart, heady kid who can shoot the ball, plays good, solid defense and is a strong kid for his size. Chase is a pretty good shooter and can handle it and is a good defensive player. Braxton is a really strong kid who can rebound and step out and shoot. We feel we will have some kids who will able to come in and give us some good minutes.”
After winning the district in 2022, the Bobcats were knocked out by Harlan in last year’s first round. Both Harlan and Harlan County were ranked among the state’s top teams in the RPI system last year, and Sizemore expects the 52nd to be strong again this year.
“I think Middlesboro will be really solid. They are older than us. They were in the same boat as us last year with some guys getting their first varsity experience. Harlan has its best player back in (Kyler) McLendon with some guys who can shoot the ball, but we feel we can can compete with both of those teams, but they will cause us problems if we’re not ready to go,” Sizemore said. “Harlan County is going to have, probably, the best team in the region, so we know what to expect.”
With their youth, the Bobcats have plenty of room for growth, according to Sizemore.
“If we do anything in the postseason, we have to get better, but I like this group and feel we can be very competitive with everyone in the district and region,” he said. “We just have to show up and play well.”