[uhavenoidea]

Those three young men you mentioned were all nice players, and each served his role on the team well. But I think you overestimate their importance to last year's team. The core of the 08/09 SV team was the trio of Justice, Hatfield, and Taylor Newsome, all of whom return.

The loss of Adams and Tackett certainly means that SV will not have the inside presence they had last year. But since most other teams around here also do not have a lot of size, I don't think it will affect SV locally. Where the loss of those two will hurt them is in playing the bigger teams downstate.

The loss of Bryant is a bit tougher to deal with, since he was a great defender and provided a lot of heart and leadership. But SV will move on.

Bottom line, Lawrence may have closed a gap a little, maybe by about 6-8 points, but not enough to say an entire 20+ point difference has been erased.

In regards to Adams and Tackett, with the loss of those 2, you now don't have two defenders 6'7 or taller, to alter the shots of Frasher,Adkins, Skaggs, West, etc.

I believe Varney can make up for most of Bryant's play, same player but Varney is a few inches taller. But, ONLY if Varney can keep his cool and stay out of foul trouble.

SV's inside scoring will come from Taylor Newsome and Ashley Hatfield most likely. If, Lawrence County takes it to the hoop, constantly and consistently, and gets either of the two in foul trouble. Who is gonna be there replacement, Zach Ramey(Guard)?

With the lack of depth, unlike last season, an injury, or the foul trouble of a player or two, could be a very BIG deal for the Wildcats this season.

The point differental has been narrowed, that's why I said narrowed or erased, just covering both bases. But, with foul trouble and lack of depth, like I suspect, that margin becomes even more narrow.