(This article first appeared in the December print edition of the Hendersonian.)
A year after reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999, the Henderson County Colonels enter the 2025–26 season with a dramatically new look but the same expectations. The program is coming off a 25–7 campaign and its first Region 2 championship under Head Coach Tyler Smithhart, who enters his 14th season with a 262–132 career record and a 67% winning percentage.
But while the postseason run to Rupp Arena energized the community and raised the standard, it also marked the end of an era. The Colonels graduated a senior class responsible for 77% of the team’s points and 75% of their rebounds. That kind of loss might signal a rebuild, but there is plenty to be excited about on this year’s team.
“The class of 2025 left a tremendous legacy in terms of a strong culture, work ethic and how to do things the right way,” Smithhart said. “This younger group is much further along because of them.”
That new group will try to blend size, speed and aggression into a fresh identity. This one will play faster and rely on depth.
The anchor of this year’s roster is 6’2 junior point guard Xavion Johnson, the lone returning starter from last season. Johnson averaged 7.7 points per game while shooting 46% from the field and 38% from three. He also finished as the team’s third-leading rebounder at just over four per game, a number that will matter even more this season with nearly all the frontcourt production gone.
The departures of their three leading scorers—Cooper Davenport, Lacon McKinney (also the writer of this article) and Elijah Suggs—leave big shoes to fill. Davenport and McKinney were three-year starters, while Suggs provided length and athleticism as an elite rim protector and became the program’s blocks leader as a junior.
Along with their scoring, the Colonels also lost Davenport’s elite shooting ability and career three-point field goal record, as well as McKinney’s physicality and consistent rebounding presence. The graduation of experienced senior guard Dwaine Moss and physical sixth man Trajdon Davis further strips the rotation of key shooting, slashing, and defense.
To help stabilize the offense and create spacing, Henderson County will rely heavily on the shooting trio of Amare Stewart, Jarren Byrum and Landon Smith. Expect these three juniors to lead the perimeter attack.
Stewart, a 6’4 guard, returns as the only other consistent rotational piece outside of Johnson. He was one of the team’s most efficient shooters after hitting 40% from three on varsity last season.
Byrum is a quick-shooting threat expected to take on a much larger role and log heavy minutes. Smith, a 6’2 guard/forward, gives the Colonels another floor-spacing option with underrated rebounding ability.
One of the most intriguing newcomers is 6’2 junior Zayden Martin, a transfer from Tampa Bay Tech in Florida. A strong left-handed slasher, Martin brings physicality, downhill scoring, and strong defense. Smithhart expects him to make an immediate impact.
Rounding out the junior class is Kingston Shidler, a tough defender and reliable shooter who provides another perimeter piece.
Henderson County will also turn to its size and strength at the senior level to establish an interior presence. That comes in the form of 6’8, 260-pound senior Braden Williams, who missed the preseason scrimmage with a broken finger but is expected to be a major part of the rebounding and defensive identity. Williams’ combination of size and touch provides an interior anchor that the Colonels will need.
Joining him is 6’1 senior Travis Little, an athletic, up-tempo guard capable of defending multiple positions and breaking down defenders off the bounce. Little’s experience and pace fit perfectly with the new full-court approach.
Henderson County’s sophomore class could end up defining the season because of its depth and athleticism.
Sophomore Jahmarion Isabel, a shifty combo guard, will serve as the primary backup to Johnson. His ball-handling and ability to create pace fit nicely into the Colonels’ desire to increase possessions.
Sophomore Brayden Dennis is a high-motor defender who will earn minutes because of his toughness and willingness to guard.
Meanwhile, 6’1 sophomore Mikey Woolfork will also see significant minutes. A stronger forward who excels at driving and rebounding, Woolfork’s physical style provides stability around the basket.
Sophomore Malaikye Taylor, a 6’2 wing, emerged in the preseason scrimmage when Williams was out with an injury. Taylor plays with high energy, rebounds well for his size and brings high-IQ intangibles that coaches value.
Completing the young group is 6’7 sophomore center Alexavier Jones, an ultra-athletic big with enormous defensive potential. Jones will compete for minutes at the backup five spot and could become an impactful rim protector as the season progresses.
For the first time in several years, HCHS will not rely as heavily on a methodical half-court offense. Instead, the Colonels plan to turn their depth, athleticism and guard play into an up-tempo, turnover-creating system.
“We have to increase the volume of possessions if we’re going to score more,” Smithhart said.
That shift starts with a fully aggressive style built around “full-court pressure for 32 minutes,” according to the head coach. The Colonels also plan to play more man-to-man defense and relentlessly crash the offensive glass.
“Practices are fun and up-tempo, but a little harder than last year,” Smithhart said, noting that the team must embrace toughness to replace last season’s scoring and rebounding.
Smithhart enters the season with changes on the bench as well. Last year’s assistants Joey Davenport and Brandon Fisher have departed, while Idris White, Jason Lyons, and John Reynolds join the staff to help guide the young roster.
Henderson County added a few new in-region opponents to help prepare for March while also continuing its tradition of facing Evansville programs—matchups Smithhart described as “always a great test for us.”
The Colonels will participate in The Grind Session, a high-level national event featuring elite prep schools and top state powers. HCHS will also travel to Thomas Nelson during the Christmas break to face a Louisville Doss team.
Then, at their home Christmas classic, Henderson County will host DeSales and Atherton, two Louisville teams that mirror the style of Hopkinsville or Lyon County: fast and aggressive.
“These teams get challenged game in and game out,” Smithhart said. “So we can test ourselves against those schools and make adjustments.”
Henderson County’s expectations remain unchanged, even with the roster turnover.
“We want to win the 6th—and going to Rupp Arena is always a goal,” Smithhart said.
But the program is equally focused on the daily process: “Our goal is to have a great practice every single day.”
The names may be new, but the standard is not. With a faster style, young talent, and a returning point guard to build around, Henderson County enters 2025–26 as a team to keep an eye on.
The Colonels open the season on December 2 at home against defending 3rd Region champion Daviess County.
