Gatesville hoopers ready for playoff run
Seasoned Hornets return four All-District players, face new district slate
The Gatesville Hornets basketball team will field the most experienced squad of the Brit Campbell era as they also make a move into one of the most top-heavy basketball districts in the state.
Campbell, who took over the program in 2019, returned the Hornets to the postseason in 2021 as the fourth-place team in District 6-4A. The Hornets felt to eventual state runner-up Wichita Falls Hirschi in the bi-district round in the first playoff appearance since 2013.
They will look to build on that appearance this season thanks to a slew of talented, versatile returners.
Sophomore Rayshon Smith was named the 6-4A Newcomer of The Year after his freshman season last year and senior Tyler Shea was a First Team All-District selection as a junior as well. Senior Carter Williams was named Second Team All-District in 2022 and senior Banner Allman was a first team 6-4A pick in 2021.
“It is a special thing to be able to have this much experience returning, and I do think it will be one of our biggest strengths. The guys we have coming back know so many things about how we want to play, have seen what it takes to win, and have worked a ton to improve their game,” head coach Brit Campbell said.
In addition to experience, Campbell’s squad will also have physical advantages over many of their opponents. Shea stands 6’6” while Williams and Allman are each 6’2 while Smith is right at six feet.
“We have some guys with some length and versatility,” Campbell said. “We are able to have multiple guys over six foot on the court that can play inside and outside, that can play multiple positions, and guard different types of players.”
While the four returners will draw most of the attention, Gatesville will also lean on junior Trae Miller and sophomore West Allman. Miller is a fierce defender and playmaker while Allman is a swing man with the ability to score points in bunches. They will be joined by Ethan Nichols, Grayson Stewart, Scout Hall, and Kase Cox on the roster when the season begins.
“Having multiple guys back with accolades is a great thing. They have already seen success and been in key moments and we are going to look to those guys to step up and make plays in big games. But it doesn’t stop with just those four,” Campbell said. “Trae and West, to name two more, are doing great things and are going to be very important to our team as well. And other guys are also already stepping up as well.”
Realignment moves the Hornets from 6-4A into 23-4A with the likes of Connally, La Vega, Robinson, Salado, and China Spring. The Cadets are the prohibitive district favorites as they are coming off a 31-4 season that ended in the regional semi-finals in 2021.
La Vega finished the year 28-6 and advanced to the regional quarterfinals while Salado and China Spring were both bi-district finalists in 2021.
For Campbell, he will keep the focus more on his team and less on who they are facing on any given night.
“We have been able to work on so many more things and are at a great point going into the season.
“Something we still need to make sure we do is to show up each game and play to our potential, not play up or down to our opponents,” Campbell said.