New coach has Norwich Free Academy boys basketball ready to speed the tempo up
NORWICH ― First-year Norwich Free Academy boys basketball coach Jeff Brown greeted his squad at its first practice and noticed he was the tallest person in the gym.
"I'm 6-foot-3," Brown said. "We don't have a lot of size, but we're going to get up and down the floor."
Brown, a former NFA standout who had coaching stints at Ledyard, Norwich Tech and Montville, looks to maintain the Wildcats level of competitiveness within the ECC this season. Former Wildcats coach Chris Guisti led NFA to two straight conference tourney crowns before stepping down in 2021. Previous Wildcat coach Dave Cornish directed NFA to a 16-5 record and 10-12 mark in the last two years before resigning and taking over the head job at New London.
"I coached a lot of these players when I was NFA’s freshman coach three years ago," Brown said. "We're in shape and are going to run and be competitive."
More: 'Best game of the night.' NFA basketball fell short in Holiday Classic. It was a battle.
Cupboard not bare
NFA lost a potential All-State player when two-year starting guard Tony WIlliams (23 points per year) transferred to Putnam Science Prep. But Brown welcomes back three regulars and a number of experienced reserves in what was a massive rotation of 11-to-12 players last year.
Senior guard Armanee Davis (9.4 points per game), senior guard Eshaad Hernandez (5.2) and 5-11 senior forward Camron Barboza (9) return as starters. Juniors Cody Jamieson, Keegan Johnston, Avery Guernsey and sophomore Ethan Graham offer backcourt assistance after getting varsity experience last year.
Senior Malachy Murray and senior newcomer Gage Hinkley, who is listed as NFA’s center at 6-foot-1, looks to use his strength to offer defensive and rebounding inside.
"Gage is a football player, great athlete, physical and a leaper," Brown said. "Hopefully, he'll have the same effect that football player Joe Klick had for NFA a few years ago."
Brown also didn't rule out that freshman point guard Josh LaVoie would see varsity action.
"We have a number of players who have the potential to score double figures," Brown said. "I like to try to use a lot of players in an up-tempo style."
More: Norwich Free Academy eliminated by Danbury in state tourney - here's how it went down
New class
For the first time, NFA will not play in the highest state tournament class, moving to Division II. NFA remains in ECC Division I with state powers St. Bernard and New London, as well as East Lyme.
NFA opens against Fitch on Friday (7 p.m.) at Groton.
"I can't wait to get started," Brown said. "We have a great group of kids who have been working hard."
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich Free Academy boys basketball 2023-24 season preview
