PRESTON PIRATES
BOYS
Coach: Chase Littlejohn
23-24 Record: 25-5
It will be a year of changing roles for the Preston Pirates in 2024 as they look to make a third straight trip to the Class 2A state tournament. While they return five of the top seven players from last year’s team, the two losses were 1000+ point producers over their careers.
“We have a lot of upperclassmen returning from last year with a lot of size and athleticism but with our two top point producers gone, the returning starters will have to play different roles this year,” said coach Chase Littlejohn.
The Pirates will start three seniors and two juniors plus a senior who missed last year due to injury. Leading the way will be senior Tanner Young (6-0, Sr.) who averaged 11 points per game while averaging over three treys per game, hitting at a 40 percent clip from three-point land. Young put through 85 three-pointers overall last year and Littlejohn hopes to see that up near the 100 mark this season. Jayden Smith (6-3, Sr.) will also be a key contributor for the Pirates after averaging seven points and seven rebounds a game last season and the Pirates will be looking to see some double doubles from him this year. The third senior leader will be Ethan Moore (6-2). Juniors contributing will include Phoenix Finch (6-3) who averaged 10 points a game in 2023, point guard Kent Rice (6-1) and wingman Jermaine Bolden. Other players who will look for playing time for Preston this year include seniors Bradley Winford (5-11) and J’Bari Webb (6-2), juniors Trey Phillips (5-11) and Cayden Hollier (5-10), sophomore Carter Fuller (5-8) and freshmen Rickey Hinson, Jacobie Crawford, Bishop Bert, and Weston Cope.
“It might take us awhile to get our new roles figured out but once we do I feel we can get back to the state tournament this year,” said Littlejohn.
