By Stephen Smoot
On Monday, the 2025-26 Pendleton County Wildcat basketball squad took to the floor for the first time, well, six of them at least. The remainder of the roster must, by rule, wait until they have accumulated enough practice time to play.
Those players helped to fuel the drive of the football squad deep in the state playoffs.
“First off, give full credit to the football team,” said Jeremy Bodkin, head coach. He added, “I’m glad to have them back in basketball even though they can’t play tonight.”
Bodkin, however, has had a chance to work closely with players who will manage the ball for him. He will rely heavily on a trio of ball handlers, of whom he said that “these guys worked really hard.”
Senior Jaydon Hess was a mainstay at the guard position last year. He showed both the calm demeanor of a game manager bringing the ball up, but also made plays as a high energy and athletic slasher, able to elevate and score around the basket.
Tony VanMeter appeared in games last year as a defensive sparkplug, but will take on more of a role this year as a ball handler and a long-range shooter. His play, reminiscent of former West Virginia University point guard Marsalis Basey, sees him able to both handle pressure while handling the ball, but he’s also relentless on defense.
Braylin Hull, a 6’2” guard, has also taken a step forward, using his athleticism similarly to Hess to make plays on both ends of the floor. “He’s my biggest surprise,” said Bodkin, who added, “he took the biggest strides from last year to this.”
Joining the squad this week among the guards are Chase Owens, Travis Owens, and Colton Roberson.
Senior Chase Owens brings high level of guard skills, but the strength and offensive postgame of a power forward. He has grown skilled at exploiting man-to-man mismatches when defended by less physically imposing guards.
Travis Owens brings the kind of length and athleticism that makes him particularly dangerous on the defensive end. This football season, his ability to elevate and battle for passes made him one of the best wide receivers in the region as a sophomore.
Bodkin noted Roberson’s strengths on defense, but his physicality could make him a post offensive threat as well. Expect all three of these guards to outfight their counterparts for rebounds, keeping possessions alive for the Wildcats.
The frontcourt will feature a combination of strength and experience, starting with senior Cashton Kisamore. Last year, the senior developed a repertoire of offensive moves on the post to complement his height and athleticism. Also a force last year, senior Henry Warner has been described by Bodkin as having more of the scoring skillset of a guard with the height of a traditional center.
Junior Ty Heavner played sparingly last year, but expect to see much more of the powerful rebounder and defender. Bigger and quicker now, Heavner will bring sound defense and also relentless offensive rebounding.
Of his frontcourt, Bodkin quipped that “I have a lot more fouls to go around.”
Bodkin will also have the services of the tough and reliable senior Dalton Rohrbaugh who has showed a solid ability to grab rebounds and make the hustle plays that maintain momentum for the Wildcats. Cayson Armstrong, a junior who starred in track last spring and had big plays for the football team, will bring speed and strength to the floor.
“I am also looking forward to seeing what Cameron Wyatt will do. He’s got a lot of talent,” said Bodkin, referring to the sophomore guard who plays much taller than his 5’9” height might indicate.
They took on a full squad from Class AAA Preston, a contest meant to challenge the Wildcats, rather than fine tune them. Both teams gave regular season effort moving up and down the floor, battling, and trying to nail down set plays.
In the first period, the Wildcat six took on the Preston starters. Immediately, every Wildcat player on most possessions boxed out his man. Boston Celtic legend Dave Cowens once noted that if every man boxes out properly, their team should always get the rebound. Undermanned Pendleton County generally affirmed the truth of that statement, blocking Preston off the boards well.
Hess, VanMeter, and Hull each showed their strengths at different points against the Preston team. After the end of the first period, Preston led 21-7. The Wildcats had earned their share of open looks while running set plays smoothly in many cases, but the shots were not initially falling.
Hess also made a great defensive play when he elevated to get a fingertip on a three-point attempt by the Knights.
By the middle of the second 10-minute period, Pendleton County closed the gap to eight with a 25-17 score. At this point, Preston put in their varsity reserves. Both teams scored four a piece in the final five minutes.
Bodkin shared that the team this year will focus much more on defense with so many players employing superior athletic ability and physical strength seasoned with senior experience and leadership. “Our offense will come a lot more from our defense,” he stated, expecting that a number of points will come off of turnovers forced by his players.
Bodkin explained that he expected much from his nine seniors and others, but emphasized over and over the tone he expected from the team. “Come out and enjoy these games,” he said. “These guys will be fun to watch.”
