HS Boys Basketball Preview: Shady Spring faces new challenges this year

Tigers will need to replace three all-state players lost to graduation

The semifinal state tournament setback last March snapped a four year championship game run for Shady Spring boys basketball that resulted in two state titles.

The expectation of a return to the title game has not changed, but the cast of characters sure has for the Tigers.

Exits due to graduation include all-state players Jack Williams, Jalon Bailey and Khi Olson.

For most schools, that would derail any championships dreams, but that is not the case for head coach Ronnie Olson.

Senior Brody Radford returns to run the show along with sophomores standouts, Eli Sexton and Gabe Short who played heavy varsity minutes a year ago.

Woodrow Wilson all-state guard Coby Dillon has also joined the Tigers and gives Shady Spring a lethal threat from behind the arc.

If the new varsity faces and young talent develops as expected, the Tigers will once again be in the postseason mix.

The biggest stumbling block is the revamped region that now includes the likes of Capital and South Charleston, along with a powerful Greenbrier East squad.

Coach Olson discussed the upcoming season, the new additions and the new challenges.