MONROE — Aaron Horne has seen this from his Monroe High School boys basketball team a time or two. Since he took over the program, the Hornets haven’t been light in the upperclassmen department each of those seasons.
This stint will be no different for the fourth-year coach.
“Our team is senior-led again. We have six seniors who will play a significant role this season,” said Horne, whose Hornets went 8-16 overall and 4-9 in the Southwestern Buckeye League last year. “We want to be active but disciplined on defense and push the ball to look for easy scores in transition.”
Monroe graduated eight seniors last season and eight the year prior.
Horne said passing has been a strong spot in the front court during the preseason and rebounding doesn’t seem to be an issue either.
“Our team shares the ball well on offense and will be active on the glass on both ends of the floor,” the coach said.
Guard Drew Taylor and forward Noah Fults, both seniors, are the returning starters from a squad that was ninth in the SWBL in points scored (48.7) a season ago.
Taylor — who averaged 11.3 points and 4.3 rebounds a game and was SWBL honorable mention as a junior — has a decent shot and “great vision and rebounds well from the guard spot,” Horne said.
Fults, a high-level defender who can guard all five positions on the floor, has improved his offensive game to be more versatile this season, according to Horne. Fults brings back 6.0 points and 4.1 rebounds a contest.
Forward Tate Fetrow is a long and athletic guard that the Hornets expect to have great production from on the offensive end through knocking down perimeter shots, attacking the rim and earning second chance point opportunities.
“We have a competitive group of young men who have high expectations this season,” Horne said.
Guards Jason Evans and Andrew Salyer, along with forward Eric Snelling, are the other seniors expected to play big parts on the court.
Rounding out Monroe’s roster is junior guard Evan Braun, junior guard Alex Zolman, sophomore forward MJ Mapp, sophomore forward Carson Poe and sophomore guard Kemper Atha.
“Although senior led, we have some juniors and sophomores on the roster that will provide depth at key spots throughout the season,” Horne said.
The Hornets start the season off at home against Madison on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 7:15 p.m.
2022-2023 Monroe Hornets Roster
(Number, Player, Class, Height, Position)
0 Evan Braun JR 5’10 G
2 MJ Mapp SO 6’3 F
3 Tate Fetrow SR 6’2 F
4 Drew Taylor SR 6’2 G
5 Jason Evans SR 5’10 G
11 Noah Fults SR 6’3 F
14 Alex Zolman JR 6’2 G
20 Carson Poe SO 6’5 F
22 Andrew Salyer SR 6’0 G
30 Eric Snelling SR 6’2 F
33 Kemper Atha SO 6’0 G
2022-2023 Monroe Hornets Schedule
Nov. 29 Madison 07:15 PM
Dec. 2 Talawanda 07:15 PM
Dec. 6 Ross 07:15 PM
Dec. 9 Brookville 07:15 PM
Dec. 10 Edgewood 05:00 PM
Dec. 13 at Valley View 07:15 PM
Dec. 16 at Oakwood 07:15 PM
Dec. 20 Bellbrook 07:15 PM
Dec. 22 at Wilmington 07:15 PM
Dec. 27 at Harrison 07:30 PM
Jan. 3 at Clinton Massie 07:30 PM
Jan. 6 at Waynesville 07:15 PM
Jan. 10 Little Miami 07:15 PM
Jan. 13 Franklin 07:15 PM
Jan. 14 Wyoming 07:15 PM
Jan. 20 at Eaton 07:15 PM
Jan. 24 Oakwood 07:15 PM
Jan. 27 at Bellbrook 07:15 PM
Jan. 31 at Fenwick 07:30 PM
Feb. 3 Waynesville 07:15 PM
Feb. 7 at Franklin 07:15 PM
Feb. 10 at Carlisle 07:15 PM
