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Prep Hoops Preview: Carrier Mills | Wildcats turning the corner under Peebles

It's a matter of fact.

Most coaches like to talk vague and dance around certain questions in regards to how one's basketball team is going to be.

But not Carrier Mills-Stonefort's Kiel Peebles.

In just his second year on the sidelines for the Wildcats, Peebles isn't bashful when talking about what expectations are from year one to year two.

"We have our three leading scorers back and we finished fifth in the conference last year," he said. "Our expectations are much better and we are going to be better than we were last year, it still remains to be seen how much better, but we're going to be better."

Peebles doesn't deny that last year was a major adjusting period, not only for himself, getting back into the coaching ranks, but obviously for his players.

"It took us three quarters of the season before they finally started buying into what we wanted them to do and by the end of the year, I think we were playing some really good basketball.

"We had a real good summer and the kids worked hard, they really did. I hope it pays off for them this year."

Carrier Mills-Stonefort started the season 2-3 at the Vienna Classic with wins over Galatia and Cobden and were held off on a last second 3-pointer by Eldorado that handed them one of two other losses.

Peebles said his team is already ahead of schedule in terms of where they were at a year ago when he first walked into the gymnasium.

"The good thing is we are way ahead of where we were at this time a year ago in terms of team play, team bonding, kids trusting one another and kids trusting the coaches at the varsity level. Now, with the incoming freshmen, we are probably behind a little bit. The seniors are really playing well this early into the season and I think that's due to their hard work this summer."

Justice Hill, a senior, returns for the Wildcats as Peebles' leading scorer from a year ago and joins fellow classmates, Justin Austin, Brody Walker, Logan Shaw and Dylan Schwartz.

Hill averaged 13.5 points per game last year, while Walker averaged 11 points per game and was second on the team, while Schwartz averaged nine points per game.

Peebles said the season will be a success if his Wildcats don't beat themselves, much like he felt they did a year ago.

"We're going to be deeper than we were last year in terms of our bench, but if we don't lose anybody to injury and foul trouble. If my kids stay on the floor, then we can compete with anybody we match up against."

Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register and Eldorado Daily Journal. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.

Carrier Mills Stonefort Schedule + Roster

<p><strong>Carrier Mills-Stonefort Schedule</strong></p>

<p>Nov. 21         vs. Galatia*                75-54 W<br />Nov. 22         vs. Cobden*                56-43 W<br />Nov. 23         vs. Vienna*                63-56 L<br />Nov. 25         vs. Eldorado*            43-41 L<br />Nov. 26         vs. Century*                75-59 L<br />Dec. 2         at Galatia                 6 PM<br />Dec. 6         THOMPSONVILLE         6 PM<br />Dec. 9         at Hardin Co.             6 PM<br />Dec. 13         at Gallatin Co.             6 PM<br />Dec. 20         at Eldorado                 6 PM<br />Dec. 26-28         at Eldorado Holiday Tournament TBA<br />Jan. 3         at Hamilton Co.             6 PM<br />Jan. 7         COBDEN                     6 PM<br />Jan. 10         CRAB ORCHARD             6 PM<br />Jan. 13         at Thompsonville             6 PM<br />Jan. 17         at Pope Co.                 6 PM<br />Jan. 23-28         GEC TOURNAMENT(at SIC)     TBA<br />Jan. 31         GALLATIN CO.             6 PM<br />Feb. 7         at Crab Orchard             6 PM<br />Feb. 10         HARDIN CO.             6 PM<br />Feb. 14         at NCOE                     6 PM<br />Feb. 17         GALATIA                     6 PM<br /><br />*At Vienna Classic</p>

<p><strong>Carrier Mills-Stonefort Roster</strong><br /><br />No.    Name                    Class    Hgt.    Pos.<br />01    Darion Barners        Fr.    6-0    G<br />02    Justin Austin            Sr.    6-3    F<br />03    Billy Lewis                Jr.    6-1    G<br />13    Will Gibbs                Fr.    5-10    G<br />15    Christian Fuller        Jr.    5-8    G<br />20    Brody Walker            Sr.    6-3    F<br />24    Justice Hill                Sr.    6-3    F<br />25    Logan Shaw            Sr.    5-10    G<br />31    Dylan Schwartz        Sr.    6-0    G<br />32    Andrew Lollis            Jr.    6-2    F<br />33    Deandre Moss        Fr.    6-4    C</p>