sticky Posted November 12, 2006 Report Posted November 12, 2006 Barbers Hill faces new challenges in Class 4A By Michael Pineda Baytown Sun Published November 12, 2006 The Barbers Hill boys are coming off of a very successful season in which they won 26 games and advanced to the 3A Area playoffs. But the Eagles might have to perform at higher level this season if they are to return to the playoffs. While the Eagles have passed the test so far in 21-4A, their biggest test may come in basketball as they contend for a play off spot in a stacked district. “Game in and game out we will be playing better competition,†BH head coach Nathan Toon said. “This team will be as good or better as they were last year but we will be playing better competition. Smiley made it to regionals and Forest Brook and Crosby went to the Area play-offs.†The Eagles will enter the season with three starters returning and five lettermen. With the season scheduled to start this Tuesday against Nederland, Barbers Hill will miss two starters as well as key bench personnel for the season opener. The Eagles should be able to survive until the football players rejoin the team. Among those that will be missing is 6-3 wing Mason Fisher who was the District MVP last season as well as All-Region and Texas Magazine All-State. “We need him to score and rebound for us,†Toon said. “He brings a lot of energy to the team. Hopefully he will play a little better defense. He is a three-year starter who knows how to play at a higher level.†Barbers Hill will also return a starter in Michael Davis who is an undersized post player. Davis transferred from Lee last season and was named All-District as a junior. “He is an enforcer,†Toon said. “He is a great rebounder who is strong and physical. Having played for Lee his sophomore year he is used to a higher class of competition.†Rounding out the returning starters will be junior Brooks Ybarra, who starts at the shooting guard. Ybarra has a height advantage at the position with a 6-2 frame and serves as a deep threat for the Eagles. “Brooks was the starting point guard last year but is moving to because the two fits his abilities,†Toon said. “He is more of a scorer.†Ybarra was also first team All-District as well as the MVP of the Corpus Christi Invitational last year. Joining the starting rotation this year will be sophomore Ian Hamlin at the point guard and senior Matt Gilbert at power forward. Both are returning letterman who should be able to make the transition to the starting lineup. “There will be a lot of pressure on Ian but he has a lot of confidence,†Toon said. “He works hard and he handles the ball well. He has a lot of energy and likes to get everyone involved. “Matt could surprise people. He had flashes last year and if he does it at a consistent level people will be surprised by him.†Last year the Eagles boasted a deep bench and will need to do so again if they are going to enjoy success in 21-4A. Barbers Hill expects to face deep teams which employ full court pressure. “We will need to have some depth to be successful this year,’ Toon said. “Teams in our district run and press.†Among those expected to make a contribution will be junior Jon Daniels. Daniels led the JV last year in scoring with 18 points per game. “He is a good shooter that works hard and he also has good composure,†Toon said. Juniors Chris Bradshaw and Joe Sexton will contribute in the backcourt. Both bring a defensive presence to the team. Seniors Matt Sanchez and Josh Kuritz will provide inside depth after injury plagued junior seasons. Although Barbers Hill will compete in 4A for the first time this season they have had the benefit of playing 4A and 5A competition over the last several years. For the Eagles to be in the mix for a playoff spot the recipe is simple for Toon. “The most important things that we have to do are handle the ball and not turn it over,†Toon said. “We also need to rebound and keep teams off of the boards so that we can play at our tempo. “I think it is a tough district but we can compete and win some games.†--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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