The end of the 2023-24 high school basketball season left a sour taste in the Christian County Colonels’ mouths and has provided motivation for their 2024-25 season.
Dior Curtis steps in as coach for the Colonels this season after leading Murray High School to a 142-72 record over seven seasons.
Curtis will have a deep group of players who remember well how the 2023-24 season ended. First a triple overtime loss to UHA 82-81 in the District 8 championship. Then a tough 63-49 loss to eventual state champion Lyon County in the first round of the Region 2 tournament.
Senior Kamren Williams said he is ready to lead the Colonels to a region title this season.
Curtis said he will have a 10-man rotation that includes seniors Williams and NaDarien Rowe, juniors Josh Bridges, Darren Bigbee, James Farley, Zyon Wharton, Aiden Jesse, and Tom Johnson.
Sophomores Zion Acree and Rahsean Stevenson also are expected to see plenty of playing time for the Colonels.
Rowe, Bridges, Acree and Bigbee will play guard. Williams, Wharton and Jesse can play forward or center and Johnson can play shooting guard or forward. Stevenson and Farley will hold down the center spot.
Curtis said he has been impressed with the work that that the team has put in since he got here this summer.
As usual, the Colonels will use an up-tempo style of play and use their athleticism to pressure their opponents this season.
The Colonels will be playing a tough schedule this season, as they open up at home Dec. 3 against Marshall County. They will play Paducah Tilghman and South Warren in the Holiday Classic at Hopkinsville High School before taking on Bowling Green and then going to Rowan County for a pair of games. Other teams on the schedule include Henderson County, Warren Central, Hopkinsville, University Heights Academy, McCracken County, Bardstown, and Owensboro.
Photos by Joe Wilson