Oak Hall boys basketball opens its season Tuesday night hosting Bronson looking to build off last year’s 13-11 record and fourth-place district finish.
The Eagle-to-Eagle matchup offers Bronson its chance at redemption, and Oak Hall its chance at sustaining its dominance. Oak Hall routed Bronson twice last season, 79-37 and 70-48.
Oak Hall is returning four players from last season, including senior guard and captain Kadar Mullings, junior guard Max Whitmer, senior guard Amari Ray and senior Elijah Medved. Logging five seniors, eight underclassmen and one eighth grader on the roster, Oak Hall boasts a mix of youth and experience.
Coach Ché Roth is entering his third season at Oak Hall after spending 12 years at Cannon School in Charlotte, North Carolina. Roth led Cannon to two back-to-back NCISAA 4A state championships, five conference championships and seven final four appearances. He also produced 25 Division I players, along with 20 all-conference and 15 all-state selections, according to the Charlotte Observer.
Roth’s roster has expanded, adding several transfers, including senior guard Willie Brooks, who comes from Gainesville High School. Brooks said the Eagles’ focus is on improvement.
“Our goal is just to beat every team we play, play hard and just get better by the day,” Brooks said.
That improvement comes through a rigid practice schedule. The team practices Monday through Saturday for two hours each day, while also lifting weights multiple times a week.
“A lot of workouts, a lot of scrimmages, a lot of getting shots up,” Brooks said. “We compete every single day.”
Whitmer, who is returning from the 2025-2026 season, said communication and team chemistry are two areas the Eagles have honed in on, following defensive breakdowns last season.
“We learned that we have to play more as a team and talk,” Whitmer said. “Talking, chemistry, all of that stuff.”
Another notable transfer the Eagles picked up is sophomore Avery Jones from The Rock. Jones is expected to be a key addition when healthy. He holds four Division I offers: Florida State, Alcorn State, Florida A&M and Liberty.
A key piece expected to make an impact is Mullings, the senior captain, but he is recovering from a torn ACL sustained from an AAU game over the summer. Mullings is expected to return in January or February, given a healthy recovery.
Mullings said the bond he’s made with his teammates is fueling their motivation headed into the season.
“We’ve got a strong bond off the court, and we know that we’re brothers every time we step on the court,” Mullings said.
For Mullings, when asked what the goal is this season, he’s straightforward: “state championship.”
Oak Hall begins its season with a 6:30 pm tipoff today against Bronson, with an opportunity to establish its identity early.
