When Greencastle-Antrim’s boys basketball team takes to the floor Friday evening vs. James Buchanan in the first round of the Franklin County Tip-Off Tournament at Waynesboro, not much will be known about the Blue Devils.

Todd Stephens

G-A has a new coach, Todd Stephens, who was hired after Rick Lewis left his position, and he has installed a totally new system.

Only three players on this year’s roster were on the varsity last year and one, Ethan Shank (sr.), played in only five games. So not a lot is known about the players, either.

“We have only one guy back with starting experience, and another guy who played off the bench,” Stephens said. “But I’m not too concerned about that. I’m learning about them, just like they’re learning about me. I just want us to compete, believe in ourselves and play as a team … then let the chips fall where they may.”

The returning starter is 6-foot-5 sophomore Conner Wright, who averaged 8.2 points per game as a freshman. Senior Bobby Emberson, who scored 2.3 points per game off the bench, may open the season at point guard.

Stephens said he has not locked in a starting five yet, although Wright, Emberson, Shank, Adam Horst (jr.) and Blake Shadoan (jr.) took the floor to begin the team’s first scrimmage game.

Conner Wright

The new coach said his roster is at 22 players, with many playing both JV and varsity, until the season shakes out a little further down the line.

The other senior on the roster is Jackson Wright, while juniors include Jackson Eby, Tavon Cooper, Evan Peterson, Brenden Shadoan and Andrew Kern. The sophomore group includes Eli Sterling, Surzano Solomon, Logan Alvey,  Jordan Hunt, Nathan Hanks, Garrett Blubaugh, Sallieu Bangura, Carter Coons, Xzavier Ramsey, Iyshone Coleman and Owen Plum.

Stephens wants to emphasize defense, and unselfishness on offense.

“So far, we’ve been getting good shots, but they haven’t gone down as much as need them to,” he said.

Stephens was the assistant coach at Clear Spring, Md. for the last two years; however he does have an extensive background at the college level. He played at York College, was a graduate assistant at Frostburg State, was an assistant coach at Susquehanna U. and Marymount, and then was the director of basketball operations at The Citadel. Then, for the nine years before he went to Clear Spring, he officiated basketball in high school and college, including Division II games in the PSAC.

“My No. 1 goal is to have us play good team ball,” Stephens said, “and that’s coming together. I’ve thrown a lot of things out at them and I’m pleased with their learning. My whole thing is I want the guys to learn basketball, so I try to teach them to understand the game.”

Greencastle, which finished 7-10 a year ago, will play in one other tournament besides the tip-off event, the East Pennsboro Holiday tourney ((Jan. 28-29) and will play the host team, Chambersburg, at the Dunks for Drew Showcase on Jan. 8.