Coach: TJ GREY
22-8
OUTLOOK
A state tournament appearance ended a 28-year wait for Battiest last season. With senior Landon Foster leading a returning group that includes three sophomores, coach TJ Grey will try to get his team back for a second consecutive appearance.
Battiest finished 22-8 during its breakthrough season, giving its younger players experience to draw on as they take on larger roles. Grey begins his third year at the school with two returning double-figure scorers and three sophomores who contributed a year ago.
Foster (5-10, Sr.) returns at shooting guard after averaging 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals. His rebounding gives Battiest help from the guard position, and his experience will be valuable with several younger teammates sharing the floor.
Grey looks to Foster for more than his production. He describes the senior as a player who teammates turn to for leadership and composure during difficult moments. Foster’s basketball intelligence and understanding of the game have also earned his coach’s confidence. A 4.0 student, he enters his final high school season looking to help Battiest build on last year’s success.
Mason Coulter (5-9, Jr.) joins Foster in the backcourt after averaging 11.0 points. Having two experienced scorers gives Grey options offensively while the sophomores continue to develop. Coulter and Foster will be asked to lead a team whose younger contributors already have a season of varsity production behind them.
Karter Hardaway (5-10, So.) averaged 5.0 points, 2.0 steals and 2.0 assists. His contributions as a scorer, passer and defender give Battiest another guard who has already handled varsity responsibilities. His development will be part of the team’s efforts to make another postseason run.
The sophomore class also includes forwards Kris Nelson (6-0, So.) and Corbin Manning (5-10, So.). Nelson averaged 8.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals, providing scoring and rebounding to complement the returning guards.
Manning added 4.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals. Both forwards return with experience on each end of the court, and their continued improvement will matter as Grey develops his lineup.
Foster and Coulter give Battiest experienced backcourt leadership, but this season will also ask more of Hardaway, Nelson and Manning. Last year’s state appearance gave the program a milestone to celebrate. The returning players now have an opportunity to follow it with another successful season together.
