Pictured above: 2024 senior D'vontaye Washington goes up for a shot during the 2022-2023 season. He currently leads the Patriots with 7 points and 7 rebounds per game.
The Heritage boys basketball team is off to a 1-5 start to their season under new head coach, Kyle Sovine. Coach Sovine has a lot of basketball knowledge, having played in college and beyond. He went to high school at New Haven and played college basketball at Saint Francis. The 6’8 big man played overseas in Australia and Argentina in 2018 and 2019, after his time at St. Francis. He also coached a travel team there.
“He’s a good coach whose basketball knowledge is off the charts. He just knows the game so we’ll and is a good coach. I am excited to see how he pushes us to be the best team we can be,” said senior forward Noah Redmon.
The team is currently off to a 1-5 start. They began the season by heading to Garrett and lost 48-33. Next, was the home opener vs Whitko. There were lots of fans supporting the Pats’ first home game of the season. It was a close game all the way, but the Patriots fell short 48-45. They were led by Noah Redmon, Landon Lybarger, and Kobe Meyer who all had 11 points.
Next up was Leo, a home game versus a very good team. The Lions came to town, and it was a great game. At the end of the first quarter the score was Leo 6 to Heritage 4. This showed it was going to be a huge defensive game. The pats would fall 47-31, while sophomore guard Taurean Brown had a team high eight points.
Despite the underwhelming start, there is promise for this team. Senior D’vontaye Washington said, “We are a much better team than our record defines. We’re all still learning the offense, how to play with each other, and the new coaching staff. We’re a gritty team who wants to win and will compete with anyone. The best is yet to come!”
On December 5, the Patriots picked up their first win of the season when they traveled north to Lakewood Park Christian. The Pats played a great game against the Panthers and came out on top 52-34. Washington led with 14 points and 13 rebounds in this game, while Lybarger contributed eight points.
The team has since lost to Bellmont and Blackhawk Christian.
The schedule is light between now and the new year, with a game at South Adams on Friday, Dec. 15 and another at Celina on Dec. 29.
The team’s next home game is Jan. 6 against Southern Wells.