The high school basketball landscape is constantly changing. Although coaches getting hired and players moving to different programs are nothing new, it’s arguably more common than ever before. Given the recent classification realignment for public-school basketball, there will be double the number of state champs and “contending” programs by default. There are plenty of enticing situations to monitor, but Myers Park might be one of North Carolina’s most intriguing teams going into the high school season.
The hiring of Dory Hines should be a step in the right direction. Prior to last season, the program had only three coaches (Richard Lewis, Wes Hepler, and Scott Taylor) over the last twenty years. Andrew Glover found real success in his first and only year at the helm before opting to enter the college coaching ranks. Now, Dory Hines (former head coach of Mount Olive) will have the opportunity to build his own program while establishing his culture and stylistic ideals. Before taking a closer look at their main pieces, we caught up with Hines to get a better understanding of his vision for this group.
JB: You’ve been a head coach in college; how will that help you at Myers Park?
DH: I feel being a head coach in college has more than prepared me for one of the most prestigious jobs in the state of North Carolina. We also have two assistants who have been on college staffs.
JB: Are there any obstacles or things that excite you going into next year?
DH: One of the biggest obstacles I feel is that we are a young and inexperienced group, but at the same time, we are a very talented group. What excites me is to see how we mesh TOGETHER.
JB: Given the new additions, how do you feel about your team?
DH: Excited about our team, we had a great June. With the additions of Rucker and Thomas, it gives us some good size and more depth.
JB: What are your expectations for this season?
DH: Expectation for the year is to compete as a group every night and stay together while doing it. If this team stays together, the sky is the limit.
In terms of roster construction, the Mustangs will have several valuable pieces. The newest arrival, Thomas Vickery, has the chance to blow up as much as any prospect in the state. At 6-foot-5, he should quickly emerge as the leader for this group. Vickery is a dynamic, explosive athlete with great feel, positional size, and ability with or without the ball in his hands. He’s capable of knocking down perimeter jumpers at a high percentage, but is more than comfortable creating for himself and others off the bounce. Vickery is a quality ball-handler and passer who consistently makes the right play. Add in his instincts as a defender and rebounder, and he should definitely be the most productive player on this team. Expect more Division I programs to get involved over the next few months.
Though it probably goes without saying, Cash Hall and Mack Walters will be vital to the success of this group. Hall is an incredibly reliable, adaptable guard who provides a highly impactful, low-maintenance identity alongside any collection of teammates. He’s a knockdown shooter with the IQ, handle, and vision to make plays off the bounce as needed. If Hall gets off a clean look, it’s likely going in. However, he understands how to keep the ball moving, take advantage of open opportunities, and contain his assignment defensively. Hall is also a solid rebounder with the ability to initiate the offense and score within the flow of the action. Meanwhile, Walters is clearly their main glue-guy and the nonstop motor that propels this team forward. He does a healthy amount of everything on the court, but it’s his toughness, physicality, and constant effort that separate him from his peers. Walters is a true dawg who competes at a high level on both ends of the floor. He’s a natural connector who makes the extra pass, does the dirty work, and fills in the gaps wherever necessary. Walters is an amazing rebounder for his size/position and causes problems for opponents with his rugged defensive presence. Both guys should see a massive uptick in their respective production. Hall will be an important name for coaches to monitor going forward, while Walters should be a prime target for various college programs.
Rounding out this core, young pieces like Ayo AwoSanya and Rucker Jamison could certainly be poised for breakout sophomore seasons. AwoSanya is somewhat of a matchup problem for opponents due to his blend of interior ability and blossoming perimeter skill. He’s a solid rebounder who defends bigger than his size. AwoSanya has the potential for a breakout season. Meanwhile, Jamison brings a lot of intrigue as a new addition with IQ, creation skills, and scoring polish. He’s able to fill it up from all levels or reliably spot-up from beyond the arc. Jamison moves extremely well without the ball to find open seams within the defense. Although he might not be a point guard in a traditional sense, his handle, vision, and decision-making should allow him to assume a lot of the playmaking duties for this group. Folks should be excited about this squad.