By Ronnie Gallagher
rgallagher@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Jason Causby admits that during last season, there was a certain amount of frustration — OK, a lot of frustration — with his Salisbury boys basketball team. The Hornets never seemed to click … and it showed in a 14-14 final record.
But as Causby pointed out, the Hornets revived themselves at the end of the regular season. Once 6-11, they finished second in the Central Carolina Conference, then won the tournament over Lexington and won six of their last seven before West Stokes ended the season in the second round of the playoffs.
“Given where we were in the middle of the year, we worked extremely hard to be successful at the end,” Causby said.
He lost his top two scorers in Tony Nunn and Tion McCain but said this year, he’s bringing in new blood to go with the veterans. The core group, three from Knox Middle School — Corban Usry, Dashawn Troutman, Donnell Alexander — along with 6-foot-6 Wesley Fazia, who went to North Hills Christian, looks to be on its way to four years of keeping Salisbury on top.
“The key is when the lights go on and they’re playing against guys 3-4 years older and how they will react,”  Causby said.
The diaper dandies can learn from some quality veterans.
Causby has high hopes for Tyler Petty. The 6-8 senior has been on the varsity four seasons and his 7-point scoring average should rise.
“He’s going to be in the post by virtue of his size,” Causby said. “But he’s more of a face-up, catch-and-attack-the-rim guy. He presents matchup problems. He has the size and ability to move. If they pull off of him, he can shoot as well as anybody.”
Buster Hillie, who played until midseason, should be the point guard.
“This is his last go-around,” Causby said of the 5-8 senior. “He’s a verbal leader. His job is to run the offense, not necessarily be the offense.”
Senior Keion Adams, at 6-3, 230, brings his football-banging body inside.
“No question, we’ll have the most talented guy in the gym,” Causby said. “If he can do for us what he did in football, the sky’s the limit. In my mind, he’s a good defensive player and rebounder. His physical presence creates an intimidating factor.”
Senior Rasean Bledsoe is a 6-1 senior wing.
“He’s a defensive guy and he’s our slasher,” Causby said. “He’s definitely a basketball player, the way his body is. He gets off the floor as well as anybody.”
Junior John Canipe, at 6-4, joined the team off jayvee midway through the season and the Hornets began winning.
“He was one of the positives in turning the season around,” Causby said. “He’s the best defender we’ll put on the floor. He does things you don’t anticipate.
“I wish he understood how much talent he has.”
Tyler’s brother, Jon Mark Petty, is a 6-5 power forward.
“He’s one of those guys coaches love to have,” Causby said. “He doesn’t care about statistics. I’m real excited about him.”
Two juniors are 6-0 guard Nick Brown, the MVP on the jayvee team, and 6-0 Jeryon Davis.
“Nick’s another good defender,” Causby said. “He’s a North-South dribbler, which I love from guards. Jeryon is one of our better athletes. He’ll take a year of varsity seasoning.”
And then, there are the freshmen.
Usry, at 6-0, has the body of a player two years older.
“He’s a true combo guard,” said Causby, who loves Usry’s quick first step. “I’ve seen him come to the forefront of all our guards. He’s one of the more impressive kids.”
Troutman is a 5-11 guard that has been the most consistent from summer until now.
“He reminds me of Thaddeus Williams,” Causby said of his former point guard. “He’s long and wiry with quick hands. My biggest concern is his confidence level.”
At 6-2, Donnell Alexander reminds Causby of Joe Allen.
“He has the uncanny ability to have the ball stick to his hands and finish,” Causby said. “He’s really good at passing out of the high post.”
Fazia gives Causby another tall body.
“I know at some point, he’ll contribute,” Causby said. “If he catches the ball and goes into his motion, he’s hard to stop.”
Causby insists he is not rebuilding and has a team that can win now.
“We’ll try to push the tempo,” he said. “I think we can rebound well and force people into shots they don’t want to take. We have a blueprint. We’ll see where it takes us.”