After the 11-12 season last season, graduation caused a heavy blow to the Hudson men's basketball project.

In the loss of the tournament in Massillon in late February, seven seniors played the last game for the blue and white team. Big guys Dave Gentry (John Carroll University) and Taylor Miller (Denison) accounted for nearly 54% of the team's offensive production. This team has won six of the past seven regular season games. .

In the Hudson men’s basketball game of the 2021-22 season, only 19% of the points scored returned last season. When Austintown Fitch came to Ray "Buck" Heather Stadium on November 30, the team will rely on the youth Genius.

Perhaps the biggest change in the plan will be on the bench, with first-year head coach Tommy Stockard replacing coach Jeff Brink.

In the 15 years that Hudson Brink played, the Explorers won the league championship twice (2012-13 and 2014-15) and set a record of 180-158. Brink returned to his alma mater this season to coach in New Middleton Springfield.

Stockard is a 37-year-old Southeast High School physics/health teacher who was selected to replace Brink from a list of more than 60 candidates.

Stockard has been teaching this junior university at Hudson University for the past four years, and has coaching experience at Southeast University and his alma mater, Strettsboro.

In Streetsboro, Stockard scored 1,000 points, and then he continued to play at Mount Union College.

"Hold on and stay true is our motto this year," Stockard said. "This is actually a sailor's statement. I really like this year's metaphor; basically, we will have to be able to get through difficult times. We will have ups and downs. When we encounter setbacks, we have to persevere and become better."

After serving as a junior school coach in the 2017-18 season and 10-12 season, Stockard's team record has improved year by year. The team record in the 2018-19 season was 14-9, followed by 17-5 and 18-2, which marked the past two years.

Stockard plans to introduce a new offensive plan for the school team.

"We are playing a full game one-on-one. The most important thing is to let the children accept the tenacious game. We want to run, we want to play fast," Stockard said. "We have a good combination; we have above-average athletes who are very smart kids. I put the players in a good position and trust them. We give the kids the freedom to play, read and react."

The following is a list of Stokeard’s comments on each player:

"For us, Boozelli is increasingly becoming a true point guard. He allows us to organize and integrate into our scene. He makes a good three-pointer. When he turns on and shoots, I feel like it's being Enter."

"Cole is probably our smartest guard. He knows where he is on the court, he reads and reacts very well, and he shoots well. Growing up (about 5-8 years old in his junior year) helps a lot."

"LT is a very good athlete, and he was very good in the transition; he got a lot of steals."

Like Troutman, Proctor is also an excellent defensive guard for the football team.

"He is a major player. Since then he hasn't played like eighth grade. He has done a good job catching up. His work ethic alone will allow him to get playing time. He is strong, fast, and capable. Diving...he is everywhere."

Lieder is a hockey player from Ohio State University.

"Gio is strong and athletic. He has become a very good shooter. He is a good point guard."

De Pompeii was the starting guard of junior high school last season, averaging 5.5 points per game.

"Jagger is good at everything. He shoots well, his size, speed and strength are good, but he is just a player. He got it. His ball is smooth and a bit silky. He has a good three-pointer percentage. Improved. From the quarterback of the football team to the basketball court, he is the leader."

"He scored from the low post and made three pointers. He is very smart on the ball. He has a good size and is a high IQ player."

Brennan averaged 5.8 points per game with the junior college team last season.

"Rocco worked hard. He dived on the floor, charged, played multiple positions, just fighting. His outside shooting got better."

"Jack didn't play in his sophomore year. I hate repeating the same things, but he also works hard. He is athletic and tough. He is a very good point guard."

"He was injured; he broke his wrist during the football season. He will return after Thanksgiving. Throughout the summer, he became stronger and developed his outside shooting."

"Nate's three shots are also good. He wants to score more. He is always in the right place and very smart. He knows everything we have on the offensive end from every position."

"Tino may be our best all-around player. He can handle the ball and is very skilled. He can post or shoot three pointers. He is also a high IQ and smart player."

"I think no child will be our All-Star; I think it will be very balanced. If we are to win the game, every child must make a contribution and do his part," Stockard added.

Returning to serve as assistant coaches are Jeremy Tony, Steve Manner and Chris Keswick. Joining the staff this year are Steve Casey and Ron Hartlin.

As always, winning the Suburban League National Conference is the goal of the Explorers. With Cuyahoga Falls moving to the US conference this year, Hudson had to pick a pair of non-league opponents to fill the roster for 22 games.

In the national conference, both Blakesville and Wadsworth had multiple return starters, and Stowe has been in a mixed state, with long-term head coach Dave Cross still at the helm.