WAYNESBORO – It might be difficult not to think about the last two seasons if you’ve followed the Waynesboro Indians varsity basketball team.
Two 20-plus win seasons. An undefeated Mid-Penn Colonial Division season. Two District 3-6A tournament appearances. A trip to the PIAA tournament in 2023. Nearly 40 wins in two seasons.
But time means players graduate, and it’s time for new memories. And, after all five starting players (Jaylon Bean, Ryan Shaffer, Tanyon Shaull, Michael Young and Cooper Hough) were lost to graduation, it’s time to restock the shelves with players who can continue a proud tradition under head coach Tom Hoffman.
Hoffman enters his 24th season as the head coach. He’s assisted by Richie Davis, Rick Duesler, Kegan Crider and Jaylon Bean.
One of the nice things about being as good as the Indians were last season was that Hoffman got plenty of opportunities to shuffle in players on and off the bench. That means several players getting starting positions and even minutes off the bench played at various times last season.
Key returners include Grant Thompson, Farin Parks and Kellan Smith.
“They all played well in big games during last season’s playoff run and will absolutely be counted on to fill bigger roles this season,” said Hoffman.
Hoffman likes the size of this season’s team. A concern is inexperience.
Said Hoffman, “Some pieces are there if the inexperienced group buys in quickly. We could surprise or could struggle – we are a work-in-progress.”
The new-look Tribe will tip off the season at home on Tuesday in a non-conference game against New Oxford. Then comes the annual tip-off tournament that Waynesboro will host this year on Friday and Saturday.
Then comes the rest of the season including 14 conference games, a holiday tournament and a pair of non-league home games against Carlisle (Feb. 6) and Chambersburg (Feb. 9).
ROSTER
Seniors – Will Campbell (forward/guard), Kellan Smith (guard), Grant Thompson (forward/guard)
Juniors – Eric Jacobs (forward/guard), Isaiah Lahaza (forward), Joseph Long (forward), Julian Mencia (guard), Hayden Nolan (guard), Lucas Parkinson (guard), Farin Parks (guard), Sam Starkey (forward/guard), Alex Torbica (forward)
Sophomores – Riley Eaton (guard), Rayshawn Frazer-Hewitt (guard), Doinic Goodworth (guard), Ryan Jenkins (forward), Christian Munday (guard), Nate Nystrom (forward/guard), Mick Torbica (forward)
Freshmen – Matt Bosseler (forward), Parker Flook (guard), Carter Hough (guard), Danny Martin (guard), Jayden Tyler (forward/guard)
SCHEDULE
Dec. 5, New Oxford, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 8, Bishop McDevitt, 8 p.m.; Dec. 9, Warwick, 6:30 p.m.; Dec. 12, West Perry, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 15, at Northern, 7 p.m.; Dec. 19, at Big Spring, 8 p.m.; Dec. 22, James Buchanan, 8 p.m.; Dec. 27, vs. Cumberland Valley at Mechanicsburg HS, 5:30 p.m.; Dec. 28, vs. Selinsgrove or Mechanicsburg at Mechanicsburg HS, 7 p.m.; Jan. 3, Gettysburg, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 5, at Shippensburg, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 9, Greencastle-Antrim, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 12, at West Perry, 7 p.m.; Jan. 16, Northern, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 19, Big Spring, 8 p.m.; Jan. 23, at James Buchanan, 8 p.m.; Jan. 26, at Gettysburg, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 30, Shippensburg, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 2, at Greencastle-Antrim, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 6, Carlisle, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 9, Chambersburg, 7:30 p.m
