Monroe determined to return Wildcats back to glory

By: Sam McClanahan 

 First-year Pendleton County Wildcats basketball coach Mason Monroe knows he has a challenge ahead of him, but it’s one that he has embraced.

 The former standout point guard from a decade ago and most recently junior varsity coach was hired last spring to take the reigns of a program that he speaks of with a lot of pride. Monroe has played for and witnessed many Wildcat teams enjoy winning seasons that also features postseason success, and that’s exactly what he’s looking to restore during his tenure leading the program. 

 “This group of players have brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm to practice and we’re motivated to do better things this season,” Monroe said.

 The Wildcats program has fallen on hard times in recent seasons. Dating back to mid-February of 2021, the team has won just 10 of its last 70 total games while also going three straight seasons with a postseason victory. But Monroe thinks there is room for optimism and improvement in the 2023-24 season. The Wildcats return a veteran roster composed of mostly seniors and juniors along with a young and promising group of underclassmen that will provide a layer of depth not seen in recent seasons. He also believes a change in offensive and defensive philosophy will translate to a more efficient and competitive team.

 “Our strength is in our guard play, our speed and quickness. We want to play fast with more pace and better spacing. Defensively, there will be an emphasis on rebounding and applying pressure on our opponents early in possessions. We want to create turnovers that’ll result in easy baskets for us,” he explained.

 The core six members who figure to get the bulk of playing time at the varsity level are seniors Alex Beyst, Austin Kirsch and Hunter Jack, along with juniors Aden Merrill and Luke Gregg. Senior Hunter Cox rejoins the squad after missing last season and figures to provide athleticism, scoring and intensity on the defensive end of the floor. Beyst (11 points per game last season) and Kirsch (10 ppg) were both all-region honorable mention last year and will look to take their game’s to the next level. Beyst is a talented guard/forward who can get to the rim, knock down outside jumpers and provide leadership while on the floor. Kirsch stands 6’4” and will be the Wildcats primary post presence but he can also step outside and hurt teams from beyond three-point range.

 Fellow senior Hunter Jack has been viewed as the team’s most consistent shooter but over the summer worked to develop his all-around game. Junior Aden Merrill took over point guard duties midway through last season and his explosiveness and steady ball handling will be counted on even more this year. Luke Gregg was deemed the most improved player by Coach Monroe over the summer and he’ll look to provide all-around scoring for a club that’ll look to push the tempo during the season.

 Also figuring into the mix will be sophomore point guard Dawson Nichols, seniors Ayden Pugh and Evan Stewart, along with some freshmen, namely Hunter Keeton and Ja’Zi Grayson who appear poised to provide a spark off the bench. Coach Monroe explained that his younger players have already made the presence felt in practices and will be challenging for minutes on the big stage.

 Joining Monroe in the pursuit of resurrecting the program will be veteran assistant Tim Jack as well as a pair of new coaches. 2013 PCHS alum and former Wildcat Jackson Strong enters as junior varsity coach, while 2020 alum and Monroe’s younger brother Clay steps in as freshmen coach.

 Pendleton County will look to overachieve its expectations this season. Most preseason listings forecast the team finishing near the bottom of the pack in the 10th Region. The program’s arch rival, Harrison County; will enter as defending district champions and are picked to repeat again this year. The Wildcats will look to establish themselves back over Nicholas County while Robertson County figures to be the longest-shot at competing for postseason success.

 “Our player’s are working hard but we all understand that we have a long way to go. The goal is to be a team that can compete for a district championship and making it to the regional tournament by the end of the season,” Coach Monroe said.

 Pendleton County opens its season on November 27 at St. Patrick in Maysville followed by a trip to Covington to take on Holmes a day later. On November 30, the team will host Bracken County in the home opener and will conclude the opening week in Georgetown at Great Crossing High School where they’ll face Franklin County at the Jersey Mike’s Classic. Other notable games will be a trip out of state as the Wildcats will take part in the Smoky Mountain Winter Classic from December 27-29 in Gatlinburg, TN.