By John Henson
Sports Writer

A 10-20 record during the 2024 basketball indicates that the Middlesboro Yellow Jackets weren’t very good.
Looking a little deeper into the numbers shows something different. Middlesboro lost 12 games by five points or less last year as victory after victory seemed to slip away in the final minute. Other than three blowout losses to eventual state runner up Harlan County and one to region runner up Corbin, the Jackets were in just about every game.
“One or two possessions were the difference in so many games last year,” said John Wheat, who enters his third season as coach. “No matter how outmatched athletically we were, you can’t let that bother you if it happens this year. You have to make the plays. We have to work on not being ball watchers on offense. Sometimes they give the ball to someone and then watch to see what happens. We’ve stressed that all summer and in the preseason. You can’t rely on one person.”
Wheat and the Jackets have worked hard in the offseason to find ways to turn some of those hard-fought losses into wins despite five seniors graduating, including four who started multiple games. The Jackets lost over 50 points a game of the 57.8 points per game they averaged last season.”
“I think we can be better. This group is really close, and that’s important to build chemistry and everything else,” Wheat said. “They sit together at lunch and go out and eat together and tonight they’re going to the LMU game together. If you see one, you see six or seven or 10.”
Wheat says what the Jackets lost in experience and strength will be made up for with improved athleticism.
“We have a lot of quickness,” he said. “We don’t have someone like Trey King to get 10 or 11 rebounds per game, so we have to gang rebound.’’
The Jackets did receive quite a blow a week before the season started when four players, all expected to play key roles, left the squad and reportedly transferred to Pineville. Senior guard Jerimah Beck (13.3 points per game last season, 6.8 rebounds per game) was the Jackets’ second-leading scorer last year. Jack Smith, a senior who played a reserve role each of the past two seasons, also left, along with sophomore center Brady Hatmaker. Sebastian Kyle, a 6-4 senior who moved from Australia, also reportedly left the team.
Junior guard Joseph Killion (5.2) was a part-time starter last year and will play a bigger role this season as the team’s top 3-point shooter.
“He is an excellent shooter. When we gets hot, you just give him the ball. It started showing toward the end of last season,” Wheat said. “He’s another one who worked in the off-season. Even with football, he found time to go shoot and work.”
Mekhi Young, a junior who saw limited action last season, will take over for Cayden Grigsby at point guard.
“I should have played him a little more last year than what I did,” Wheat said. “He had it inside of him, but it didn’t always come out. He started as a freshman against Harlan County in the district tournament and did well. He is becoming a leader for us. He would text me at night during football season and ask what we did. He wanted to keep his thumb on the pulse of what’s going on. He is quick on quick, and his defense is getting better. He has also gotten better as a passer and seeing the floor.”
Aiden Larew, a 6-4 junior, will also compete for a starting job due to his ability to play every position except point guard.
“He has grown and has a brilliant basketball mind,. He can come in for any one of the five on the floor,” Wheat said.
Bryson Brooks, a 5-10 sophomore, is also a candidate to move into the starting lineup at wing.
“He’s an excellent shooter. He’s trying to get used to more physical play on the varsity level,” Wheat said. “He’s working on his defense. Once he starts understanding how to play stronger and faster, he will be a good weapon the next few years.”
Wheat has also been impressed by a group of freshmen who could help on the varsity squad, led by Jacob Tinnel. Colby Weaver and 6-4 center Luke Lloyd. Tinnel will start at wing or serve as a key reserve. Lloyd is the early favorite to take over at center.
Garrison Warren, a 6-3 senior who is a standout golfer, will see extensive action at forward or center. Anthony Miracle, a 6-1 junior forward, and Deandre Lightfoot, a 5-8 senior, will also see action, along with freshman guard Ayden Allen.
Wheat has set lofty goals for the Jackets, beginning with winning their first district title since 2019.
“Our goals every year are to win the All “A” region, win 20 games, win the 52nd District regular season and tournament and win the 13th Region and get to the state tournament,” he said. “It looks like Harlan County and Bell County are head and shoulders above everyone in some ways. They are really good ball clubs. But I can see where our quickness and ability to press and wear down teams by playing 10 or 11 can make a difference.”

 

Tue, Dec 3, 24	Lynn Camp	at Lynn Camp Middle/					7:30 PM		⇄
Thu, Dec 5, 24	Lakeway Christian Academy (White Pine), TN	at Lakeway Christian Academy					6:30 PM
Tue, Dec 10, 24	Whitley County	home					7:30 PM		⇄
Fri, Dec 13, 24	Bell County	home					7:30 PM		⇄
Sat, Dec 14, 24	Berea	at Bell County					12:00 PM	Pride Of The Mountains Showcase	⇄
Thu, Dec 19, 24	Somerset	at Lynn Camp Middle/					8:05 PM	Wildcat Classic	⇄
Fri, Dec 27, 24	Nicholas County	at Whitley County					12:00 PM	Bsn Borderline Classic	⇄
Sat, Dec 28, 24	Marion County	at Whitley County					12:00 PM	Bsn Borderline Classic	⇄
Thu, Jan 2, 25	Jackson County	away					7:30 PM		⇄
Fri, Jan 10, 25	Williamsburg	away					6:00 PM		⇄
Tue, Jan 14, 25	Barbourville	away					7:30 PM		⇄
Wed, Jan 15, 25	J. Frank White Academy (Harrogate), TN	home					6:00 PM
Fri, Jan 17, 25	Harlan County	home					7:30 PM		⇄
Tue, Jan 21, 25	Pineville	away					7:30 PM		⇄
Fri, Jan 24, 25	Harlan	away					7:30 PM		⇄
Sat, Jan 25, 25	Lakeway Christian Academy (White Pine), TN	home					1:30 PM
Mon, Jan 27, 25	Red Bird	home					6:00 PM		⇄
Tue, Jan 28, 25	Clay County	away					6:00 PM		⇄
Fri, Jan 31, 25	Bell County	away					7:30 PM		⇄
Tue, Feb 4, 25	Harlan	home					7:30 PM		⇄
Wed, Feb 5, 25	J. Frank White Academy (Harrogate), TN	at J. Frank White Academy					5:30 PM
Fri, Feb 7, 25	Harlan County	away					7:30 PM		⇄
Tue, Feb 11, 25	Knox Central	home					6:00 PM		⇄
Thu, Feb 13, 25	Oneida Baptist Institute	away					7:30 PM		⇄
Mon, Feb 17, 25	Red Bird	at Red Bird Christian School					5:30 PM		⇄
Tue, Feb 18, 25	Lynn Camp	home					6:00 PM		⇄
Fri, Feb 21, 25	Corbin	at Corbin Gymnasium					7:30 AM		⇄