Preview: Augusta Orioles

MEET THE TEAM

Augusta has had a pretty good run under Stephenson since he took over in the 2008 season. The Orioles actually strung together 3 straight winning seasons, which ended last season with an 8-12 record. But the Orioles have proven they can be a consistent program, one that expects to have a winning season. That will be the goal this season, as Augusta looks to build from last season and return to its winning ways.

Good news is on the way because Augusta has a foundation built on six seniors that return with a lot of varsity experience. They've been nothing but role players in the past, and that will have to change. This is their team and they will put a stamp on the program that decides if Augusta is to get back to winning or suffer through another losing season. It's an important swing season and Stephenson thinks the team has the pieces to make it a good one.

Connor Hurst is one that Augusta will rely heavily upon, as he returns for his junior campaign as the team's point guard. While he can distribute and run the offense from the point, Hurst will be counted on as one of the team's leading scorers. He has a knack for scoring the ball and can do so in a variety of ways - driving toward the basket, pulling up for a mid-range jumper or making defenses pay by draining 3-pointers. Throw in Kyler Steinkamp, a senior with a lot of experience, and Augusta has two pretty good options that could easily score 20 on any given night.

But the difference this season could be Augusta's post play. Last season they struggled to compete in the post and had to play 4-guard line-ups for most of the season. But now the Orioles have 6-foot-3 senior Brandon Smith and will add 6-foot-4 senior Shawn Brandenburg, two instant impact players that will bolster Augusta in the post this season. Both figure to shore up Augusta's rebounding concerns, and Smith has the potential to become the scoring threat from the post that Augusta has lacked in recent seasons.

Defensively, Augusta is still a work in progress and the development of this will likely determine how many games the Orioles win this season. Augusta has the potential to win shoot-out's, but it's going to be much more efficient when it can stop people and hold opponents to under 60 points, which it failed to do 8 times last season. The Orioles are equipped with more experience, more height, and a little more depth this season that should make it a transition that doesn't take much time.

As sophomores, this class of 2014 helped the Orioles to a winning season. Don't underestimate that experience, even though many of them were in supporting roles. Last season was many of their players first chances at taking over a team at the varsity level. Now that they have a season under their belt, Augusta should be much more competitive moving forward this season. A winning record and a win in sub-state, something that hasn't happened since 2009, is what Augusta is aiming for.

MEET THE CAST

#23 | CONNOR HURST | POINT GUARD | 6'0" | JUNIOR
An above-average offensive player that Stephenson will use to bring the ball up the court. Has the shot to be effective from the outside, and the ability to score moving toward the basket. Must improve his ability to create for others and his defense, but Hurst will be one of the, if not the, best players on the team.
#5 | KYLER STEINKAMP | WING | 6'3" | SENIOR
A lanky scorer that hangs around the perimeter for the most part, but is used to using his height to help out down low rebounding. Steinkamp is a solid scoring option, and will form a formidable 1-2 scoring combo with Hurst for Augusta.
#10 | TRISTAN FINCH | GUARD | 5'10" | SENIOR
A guard that has a lot of experience handling the ball and doing the little things for Augusta. He'll see a little more of an increase in his role this season, as he'll have to step up and become a lock-down perimeter defender and a consistent ball handler when Hurst needs a breather.
#33 | BRANDON SMITH | POST | 6'3" | SENIOR
Ready for a boost in production, Smith could be a breakout candidate this season with his size and athleticism in the post. He's a good rebounder and will be relied upon to do a lot of that this season for a still under-sized Augusta squad.
#25 | SEAN BRANDENBURG | POST | 6'4" | SENIOR
Missed all of last season with a knee injury, and could make a big impact on the team this season with his size and ability to rebound. He has a nice touch around the basket and could be a scorer inside.
#20 | DUSTYN McEACHERN | GUARD | 5'7" | JUNIOR
A guard that will be counted on for energy off the bench and he has the ability to be that spark with his scoring ability. He could be a nice option to come in with the second unit and be the main scoring threat.

FROM COACH STEPHENSON

"I definitely think rebounding is going to be an X-Factor for us. We're not going to blow anybody away, but if we can get that consistency defensively and rebounding the ball, I think this could be a pretty good team. I have to think that those two areas are going to be the X-Factors for us."

THE PREDICTION

Last season ended their winning season streak, but I think it's good news for Augusta this season. I really like how this team is shaping up with the six seniors being the foundation for this team. I think Augusta will return to its winning ways, as I see this team winning around 11 games this season. But can the Orioles make any noise in the post-season? That will be the question because while they've had regular-season success, they need to start winning games that matter in late February and March. That's this team's goal and one that I think they can achieve, as they could be playing for a sub-state championship and a trip to state this season.