Bearcats have strong numbers for playoff push
The Bentworth boys basketball program had struggled as many other schools have with the lack of numbers over the past several years.
That isn鈥檛 the case this year for head coach Bob Kennedy and his staff, and the team is looking to earn a postseason berth.
鈥淲e are trying to make the playoffs,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e have guys back and a full roster.
鈥淲e have 17 guys on the team, and this is the most talent we have had in a while, especially this deep. I probably haven鈥檛 gone this deep since 2008.鈥�
There are more younger players out for the team this year, but that isn鈥檛 the only reason numbers are up.
鈥淲e had a few come back that didn鈥檛 play last year,鈥� added Kennedy.
Four Bearcats have starting experience in seniors Landon Urcho and Christian May, junior Colton Lusk and sophomore Ross Skerbitz.
Urcho topped 1,000 career points in the third game of the season against Jefferson-Morgan.
Another player, senior Jerzey Timlin, started as a freshman and sophomore before not playing last season.
A pair of freshmen, Chris Harper and Ben Hayes, are vying for starting roles, as are senior Julian Hayes, Ben鈥檚 older brother, and sophomores Lucas Burke and Aiden McMurray.
鈥淭he two freshmen will get significant time and are looking to crack the starting lineup,鈥� said Kennedy. 鈥淎ll of the guys in the rotation could start.鈥�
Kennedy is happy with the growth of the young, and new, players.
鈥淭he first-year players, it will be a learning experience,鈥� said Kennedy. 鈥淭hey are doing a good job of picking up things quick and we can come together faster as a good team because of it.鈥�
Bentworth is in Section 4-AA with some old foes (Beth-Center and Frazier) and new opponents (Carmichaels, Chartiers-Houston, Fort Cherry and Burgettstown).
鈥淲e have some good, top-notch opponents that have come into the section,鈥� Kennedy said. 鈥淚t is going to be a dog fight.鈥�