Optimism reigns supreme for the 2020-21 edition of Ponte Vedra Boys basketball despite concerns of the dreaded COVID pandemic and the lack of practice preparation heading into this week’s opener at Stanton Prep.
Second-year head coach Kevin Whirity welcomed back his top six players from last year’s 10-14 team, but the second-year head coach had a long wait before he could field a full squad. The five leading scorers from last year’s youthful team also played football for the Sharks and have had only a handful of practices before the official start of this season.
“Our preseason beginning of the season was far from ideal as we navigated COVID 19 and the end of the football season, but it’s all about perspective,” Whirity said. “I am so grateful to be able to practice and have our season no matter the restrictions!”
“We are very lucky to have so many returning players,” said the energetic PVHS coach. “Another year to develop these guys in our offensive is invaluable.”
The Sharks split their pre-season games last week, dropping a close game to Episcopal on Tuesday but then posted a come from behind 47-46 victory over Wolfson two days later.
The Sharks, who were crushed by the host Episcopal team 62-38 last season, lost the nail biter despite their two leading scorers from a year ago, Alex Madson and Luke Pirris not suited up for the contest. Three other Shark regulars from 2019-20, Jack Polian, Rory Mayer and Nathan Bunkosky, had but one practice before last Tuesday’s preseason opener.
Pirris did return on Thursday as the Sharks, trailing by as many as 14 points, rallied in the final stanza to nip Wolfson. Madson is currently recovering from his injury and has been able to attend practice and participate, but in a limited capacity. “His full return is unknown as it depends on when he’s back to full strength” added Whirity.
In addition to the five football players, and junior JT Kelly returning to the rotation, Whirity has high hopes for a pair of newcomers who have displayed considerable promise in recent workouts.
“We have a lot of talent in our freshmen and sophomore classes this year, and [6-foot-3] sophomore Israel Nuhu and [6-foot-5] freshman Ethan Reinheimer are two of the great examples of the talent.
Nuhu came off the bench in the Wolfson contest and filled up the stat sheet by scoring 10 points — that included a thunderous dunk, a multitude of rebounds, four steals and a block shot. Reinheimer led the Sharks in rebounding in the Wolfson contest, despite playing less than half the game as coach Whirity gave all 13 of his players playing time. Bunkosky, yet another sophomore led the Sharks in scoring with 12 points, while Pirris, in limited action, chipped in eight.
When asked how enthused he was for the upcoming season Whirity said, “On a scale of one-to-10, I am an 11 for excitement. I cannot stress enough what an outstanding group of young men I get the privilege to coach every day.”
The Sharks opened their season this past Tuesday and will welcome a full week of practice before resuming their schedule with three games the first week of December, beginning on the Dec. 1, with a road game at Flagler Palm Coast.
