The North Greene boys basketball team will have a new look this year. The Huskies graduated all five starters from last year’s squad and will be trotting out a whole new lineup for the 2026-27 campaign.
“There are a lot of unknowns. We probably lost 98 percent of our scoring from last year,” North Greene coach Matt Weems said. “That means other are going to have more opportunities. These guys played together a lot in junior varsity and they know how each other play. That is good, but the varsity level is different, everything goes up another notch.”
The Huskies have played a lot of basketball over the offseason, and Weems has liked what he has seen from this group. They have focused on getting stronger in the weight room and improving their understanding of the game. Despite the lack of starting reps the coach is hopeful the group’s work ethic will carry it this year.
“We are a big team. We have a lot of size. We have a couple of guys that shoot it well and this is a really coachable group. They have made practice fun. They get after it, and they want to get better,” Weems said,” Weems said.
The player North Greene may count on most this year is point guard Kingston Ricker. He is also the player with the most varsity experience. He has taken the reigns of leadership and will be counted to be one of the team’s top scorers.
“Kingston Ricker has done a very good job of stepping up as a leader. He has become a coach on the floor,” Weems said. “He has been around basketball his whole life. He tries to help the younger guys, and brings a really good attitude to practice. He knows the difference between JV and varsity, and I’m hopeful he will take a step, and also bring some of our other guys along.”
In addition to Ricker the Huskies will rely on a big and athletic group in the post. Kelson Eastep will bring a physical presence to the center position while Matt Boyd adds quickness and athleticism at the four spot.
Nathan Tolley, who played a limited role last year, is a 6’3” wing who can be an ace from beyond the arc.
Colton Jones is a sophomore big man Weems believes has a bright future, while Hayden Cooter and Jared Swatzell will add more post depth.
With the talent his team has in the post Weems wants to use a more balanced style this year and be less dependent on three-pointers.
“We shot a lot of threes last year, and sometimes were too reliant on that,” Weems said. “This year we have kids that can shoot, but with our size I would like to see us be more balanced. I’d really like to create some isolation touches for our big guys.”
Ricker will start at point guard and alongside him will be Noah Rigsby who Weems thinks can develop into a high-level player.
Riley Chambers will be the first guard off the bench and Colton Brown will add another shooter to the rotation.
In Weems’ first year as the Huskies head coach his rotation rarely went past seven players, but he feels like up to 10 members of this team can earn playing time, if they play winning basketball.
North Greene went 12-21 last year and ended the year in the Region 1-1A semifinals with a 60-50 loss to Unaka. Unaka won the District 1-1A championship and Hampton won the Region 1-1A championship. Both teams advanced to the Class 1A State Tournament and Weems expects both to be hurdles in the way of the Huskies advancing when February rolls around.
The Huskies will tip off the regular season on Tuesday, November 17 at Hancock County.
