Since the new District 1-2A realignment three years ago, the Chuckey-Doak boys basketball team has reached the championship game all three years and look to continue that run with a brand-new cast in the 2024-25 season.
The Black Knights graduated ten seniors last season. While every coach has the unfortunate duty of filling starting spots and positional roles at the beginning of every season, Head Coach Sam Broyles will have to fill almost every spot on his varsity roster after losing virtually everybody.
Their season ended in the Region 1-2A quarterfinals last year at the hands of Gatlinburg-Pittman. The Black Knights advanced to the regional tournament four years in-a-row now and look to add to that streak.
At this moment, the Black Knights are a true wild card. They are losing two-time All-State center Christian Derry and his size and presence down low. Athletic guards like Isaiah Treadway, Brock Rush, and Brasen Murvin are all gone too. Chuckey-Doak will be a team that nobody knows what to expect out of them.
“We’re going to be very young. When you lose ten seniors, and that’s unusual to have ten seniors, when those ten see the majority of the playing time it’s kind of like you’re starting over. We’re in a rebuilding process. And most coaches don’t like to say that, but it’s true. This year will be more of a rebuilding year for us,” Coach Broyles expressed.
After graduating ten seniors they have no seniors on the squad this year, but another big junior class follows. Seven juniors are listed on the varsity squad. Dom Atchison, Ben Palazzo, Gavin Crum, Hannes Miehlke, Blake Lippard, Gavin Murray, and Gage Hill represent that class.
Atchison is one of the only varsity players with past experience and will handle the ball in the point guard role to start out.
“Dom played some last year. He’ll be running the point for us. That’s what I’ll be asking of him. He’s got the ability to be able to do it. And that’s a lot on him because I’m sure teams are going to press us and get after us and see if we can take care of it,” Broyles mentioned.
A sophomore who played varsity minutes last season and will make an impact on the court is Ryland Grindstaff. He will be a potential Newcomer of the Year nominee and will start for the Black Knights.
“He’ll play a lot for us. A lot of the coaches are picking him to have a good season for us and maybe even lead this team,” Broyles said.
The sophomore class will also include Bradley Caldwell and Grant Bishop. Mason Henderson and Chance Malone will serve as the only two freshmen on the team.
At this point and time, there is no concrete starting lineup for the Black Knights and some spots are still up for grabs. Losing an entire team and having to adjust to a new cast of players will also cause Coach Broyles to have to change his play style.
“Our style of play is going to have to change. We’re not very big,” Broyles mentioned. “We’ve got to be able to press people and force an up-tempo game. We cannot walk it up and down the floor and expect to stay in games.”
The District 1-2A conference will still feature six teams after Hampton’s addition last season. Chuckey-Doak will be joined by South Greene, West Greene, Hampton, Happy Valley, and Johnson County. The Black Knights have reached three-straight championship games in February and want to continue that streak.
“That’s what I’m looking for is to improve and be competitive. Especially at the end of the year and maybe upset somebody when it comes tournament time,” Broyles says.
They begin their season on the road with a Hall of Fame game against Washburn on November 19th.
