Lyon County, the second-smallest public school in the 2nd Region, is looking to challenge the big boys this season.
With a youthful squad, it could be just a matter of time before the Lyons make noise on the regional tournament stage.
Eighth grader Travis Perry, one of the most heralded young players in the state, leads the Lyon charge.
Perry, a 6-foot-1 guard, averaged a team-high 20.6 points a game last season while helping Lyon put together a 21-10 season. He shot almost 36 percent from 3-point range and just over 80 percent at the free-throw line.
But Perry is hardly Lyon’s only offensive weapon.
Six-foot-4 sophomore Jackson Shoulders provides a presence near the basket after netting 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds a game last year. He’ll be joined inside by 6-3 sophomore Nick Whalin, giving Lyon some beef in the paint.
Kade Blackburn, a 5-11 junior guard, brings experience to the background and is another sharpshooter on the perimeter. Blackburn nailed 40.2 percent of his trey attempts last season while averaging 8.2 points a night.
Gunnar Bingham, a 6-foot sophomore, and Trey Hawkins, a 5-11 junior, figure to be more involved this year after seeing limited playing time on the varsity level last year.
Justin Crawford, a 6-5 senior, and Luke Gilbert, a 6-3 sophomore, look to add depth down low along with 6-1.5 senior Jeremiah Wilkerson.
Corey Cissell, a 5-11 junior foward, will also be in the mix.
Ryan Perry, the father of Travis, takes over the head coaching reins for the first time. Former Lyon head coach Jeff Embrey is now an assistant on former Lyon Kerry Stovall’s staff at Christian County.
With so much youth on the squad, Lyon could still see its share of highs and lows in the 2019-20 season. But Lyon is entrenched as the 5th District favorite after winning the district championship last season before falling to Henderson County 75-65 in the first round of the 2nd Region tournament.
Another season of experience under its belt should make this year’s squad dangerous when the regional tournament rolls around again.
Lyon lost to University Heights Academy in the regional All ‘A’ Classic last season.
Those two teams figure to battle it out for the regional “small school” crown this year.
The Lyons will tip off the 2019-20 season on Tuesday, Dec. 3, when they travel to longtime rival Caldwell County as part of a girls and boys varsity doubleheader.
