The Lebanon News | Anthony Stevens
Tigers starting from scratch
Honaker Tigers are, front row from left, Jacob Dye, Silas Harris, Colton Blankenship, and Keaton Smith. Back row from left are Josh Reynolds, Lincoln Combs, Kamden Beavers, and Riley Clevinger. Not pictured: Blair Clark and Gabriel Baldwin. | Photo Credit: Anthony Stevens | Lebanon News
HONAKER—It isn’t often a team that won the Region 1D championship and advanced to the Class 1 Final Four starts from scratch. After starting the season with a 6-7 overall record, Honaker won 16 games in a row before falling to Auburn in the VHSL state semifinals. They graduated six players, including Lebanon News Player of the Year, Keyton Keene, who is now playing for King University, and four other players chose not to play.
The Tigers return zero points, zero players, and have zero juniors and seniors on the roster from last season. Can you say REBUILD?
Honaker girls aim for state title
Honaker Lady Tigers (L-R): Front: Alivia Keene, Dani Whaley, Kalli Miller, and Cheyenne Musick. Back: Cadence Rose, Alayna McNulty, JuJu Farmer, Carey Keene, and Sophie Campbell. | Photo Credit: Anthony Stevens | Lebanon News
HONAKER—Although they didn’t reach their ultimate goal, the Tigers are coming off a great season. Honaker advanced to the ‘Final Four’ before falling to eventual state champion Eastside in the VHSL Class 1 semifinals. They compiled an extraordinary 24-5 overall record. Two of those losses were to Eastside, they fell short twice to Class 3 Carroll County and once to Tennessee High.
The Tigers graduated two starters. They only return three players with varsity experience. However, all started and are great building blocks. Reigning Lebanon News Player of the Year post Alayna McNulty (5-11, sr.) returns along with point guard Kalli Miller (5-2, sr.) and Carey Keene (5-11, jr.). Those three will provide a firm foundation.