Battle-tested Tigers will be competitive
Following last season’s shocking loss to Tanner in the Class 2A regional semifinals, Red Bay head coach John Torisky isn’t taking any chances when it comes to ensuring this year’s team is battle-tested headed into what he hopes is another trip to Wallace State.
“We’ve scheduled a lot of games against 5A and 6A schools, so our schedule isn’t that of a typical 2A school,” Torisky said. “I try to make it as difficult as I can, so that way when we get to the postseason, we’ve been tested, and this year is no different.”
Red Bay’s schedule features matchups with high-profile opponents such as Northridge High School in Tuscaloosa, Decatur High School and Hamilton, just to name a few. The schedule doesn’t include teams the Tigers might face in various tournaments throughout the season.
After losing two seniors, including Jeremiah Robinson, who played a pivotal role as one of the defensive leaders for the Tigers, Torisky’s squad returns a plethora of talent this season.
The Tigers will be led on both ends of the court by 6’9” sophomore power forward Khalil Luster, who put up 17 points per game and 12 rebounds per game.
“He’s obviously our main guy,” Torisky said. “A lot of stuff goes through him and he’s our main scoring threat. We’re expecting a lot out of him.”
Returning several players off last year’s roster, Torisky said there is no shortage of talent capable of lending a hand on any given night.
This season’s team will feature five seniors, including guard Landyn Lewey and forward Bryant Harris, who figures to be one of the team’s top shooters. One guy Torisky will also be relying heavily on is 6’3” forward Jaxon Vinson, who averaged nine points and six rebounds per game, good for second best in both statistics for the Tigers.
Fellow seniors Jeremiah Thorne and Jackson Miller will also play key parts in Torisky’s scheme this season.
“We like to share the ball and not rely too heavily on any one person,” Torisky said. “The good thing about our team is we normally play the top style of play that we can. We have a lot of guys who can shoot the ball really well.”
Looking ahead to area play, the Tigers will have to go through Lamar County and Sulligent – both of whom Red Bay swept last season enroute to an area title.
Regardless of what last year’s team did, Torisky said it’s a new season, and ensuring his guys are ready in all facets of the game once area play arrives will be key in the first several weeks of the season.
“For us, it’s really just more about us trying to do the things we’re really good at,” Torisky said. “We feel that if we play a good game, we’ll be tough to beat.”
