YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | The Young Harris men's basketball team is coming off a successful 21-win campaign in which they reached the Conference Carolinas quarterfinals. The Mountain Lions return numerous key pieces from that roster including Carl Cleveland (19.8 PPG), Justin Payne (44% 3PT%), and Cam Bleshoy who is the first all-conference defensive player in Coach Currier's time at YHC. Coach Currier on those guys and how they've kept the train on the tracks so far this year, "Those guys are in the gym, they lift hard, they put in extra work, we chart hustle plays, those guys are at the top of the list for that. They're helping to shape the culture and bring along some of the new guys, so they've done a really good job."  

While the roster has retained some pieces, it has also turned over a good bit as well. Young Harris went out and got, Christian Drummer who is a point guard from Emory & Henry. Drummer "is unbelievable defensively and will be a candidate for defensive player of the year," Drummer has led the team in steals, deflections, and assists throughout the fall. The Mountain Lions also brought in Dylan Wolle, a shooting guard from Rollins College, Currier says "He's had some really good practices, he's very fundamentally sound defensively, obviously has the basketball IQ, and has a great mind for the game." Traven Norwood is another transfer Young Harris brought in, he's a 6'8 wing from Lenoir Community College. Norwood is a "dynamic defensive player, high energy, highflyer, extremely athletic player, he's been a Swiss army knife player for us." Willie Jones is a 6'5 guard from Chesapeake Community College who was an all-region player there. Coach Currier has high hopes for Jones to make a big impact for the Mountain Lions. 

Currier spoke very highly of the Mountain Lions freshman class believing it is the best freshman class in the league. At the top of that class is Rylan Muniz, Alex Young, and RJ Williams. On Muniz: "He's got a chance to be one of the best shooters in the country." On Young: "Really, really good for us, shooter, shot maker, rebounder, he's a really solid player for us on the wing. On Williams: "Tenacious on ball defense, down hill driver, energy guy, just a really impressive player. 

Schematically, Currier says the Mountain Lions "will play faster," and are a "night and day better shooting team," he also says the team this year is "quicker and more aggressive defensively." He also says that has come at the expense of being a bit smaller this year with less length than in the past. 

Young Harris comes out of the gate playing Middle Georgia State, North Georgia, and UVA Wise, three quality programs who all won north of 17 games last year. When scheduling, Currier says "we want to position our team best to make the NCAA tournament. We're challenging our guys early; we're playing against different play styles. We've looked at what has worked in our league scheduling wise over the past five years." 

YH will also count on Kelvin Hunter who has impressed in fall practice and has a chance to be one of the best shooters in the league. Rod Gardner and John Maxwell are two players that are solid returners and will look to make a positive impact for the Mountain Lions as well. 

The Mountain Lions will play their annual purple and white game tonight, November 7th at the Harp Recreation and Commencement Center at 7PM. They will officially open regular season play on November 14th against Middle Georgia State University inside of the Harp at 7PM.