BGA Basketball Reloads with Size, Transfers, and Grit After Graduating Star Guards
The BGA Wildcats are back on the court this season with a new look, a different tempo, and a fresh identity. Gone are Arnett Hayes and Greyson Williams - two of the most electric guards in the state last year - and with them, much of the speed and explosiveness that powered BGA to a Division II-A state runner-up finish.
But don’t confuse “different” with “downgrade.”
While the Wildcats may not be flying up and down the floor like they did with Hayes, now at Murray State for football, and Williams, who moved on to Florida Tech for basketball, they’re leaning into a different strength: size. And that starts with 6-foot-11 senior Lawson Lee, a Samford commit who’s already making his presence felt in a big way.
Lee transferred in from Siegel and has quickly become the focal point of BGA’s revamped roster. He helped anchor a gritty 48-47 win over Paul Bryant at the Southeast Showcase, holding his own against 6-foot-9 forward TJ Byrd while pouring in 19 points himself - including two threes and a highlight-reel alley-oop finish. Byrd, meanwhile, was held to just eight points and two made field goals.
“I think I can get my job done down low with just easy post-ups,” Lee said after the game. “But I also think I can stretch the floor, pick and pop, shoot, take a guy off the dribble - one-dribble pull-up. I can be better in a lot of ways.”
That versatility is exactly what head coach Trey Meyer is counting on. Meyer, who led BGA to its first state title appearance since 2014 last season, knows Lee’s skillset can unlock the rest of the offense - whether it’s drawing defenders out of the paint or creating kick-out opportunities for shooters.
“He can score at the rim, he can hit threes,” Meyer said. “He can pass, he can rebound.
He’s doing a better job defensively, staying vertical and avoiding fouls. I think he’s just going to keep getting better.”
Lee isn’t the only new face making an early impact. Zander Holt, a transfer from Dickson County, has stepped in as a defensive stopper and secondary scorer.
He dropped 10 points against Paul Bryant and had 14 in a win over Clarksville Academy. Jaden Thompson, who transferred from Whites Creek, is finally eligible for varsity action after sitting out last year due to transfer rules.
Together, the trio has helped BGA jump out to a 4-1 start, even with a short bench and several key players still tied up with the school’s football team, which is preparing for a state championship game. That includes potential starters Elijah Fernandez and Christian Thompson, plus four reserve guards. At the Southeast Showcase, BGA played both games with just seven players.
Still, the chemistry is building - and fast.
“It’s like a new team put together, but we’re figuring it out slowly,” said senior Lawson Gillispie, who hit a clutch midrange jumper to seal the win over Paul Bryant. “I think it all comes down to we just want to win, so we’re just doing everything it takes.”
Gillispie, along with fellow senior Jake Harney, provides continuity and leadership. The two have been with the program through the highs and lows and now find themselves guiding a team that’s both reloaded and reimagined. Gillispie dropped 26 points in a win over Franklin County, showing he can still fill it up when needed.
Coach Meyer has been impressed with how the new additions have integrated - not just on the court, but off it.
“They’re obviously full-time starters from their previous programs, and they’re really good players,” Meyer said. “So they could come in with a sense of entitlement.
But they just haven’t. They’ve spent time with their teammates away from the court and really built strong relationships, and that’s bled over into our team.”
That bond could be the secret weapon for a team that’s still evolving. Once the football players return and the roster is at full strength, the Wildcats could be a serious contender once again - just with a different blueprint than last year.
“Just overall, with me and Zander Holt coming, and the addition we’ll get from our football players, we just keep adding that chemistry,” Lee said. “I think the sky’s the limit for us. We can win a gold ball.”
Box Score - BGA 48, Paul Bryant 47
BGA: Lawson Lee 19, Zander Holt 10, Lawson Gillispie 9, Harry Sooch 6, Jake Harney 4
Paul Bryant: McKinley Everett 20, TJ Byrd 8, KJ Samuel-Hollis 8, Cameron Walton 7, Eilon Walker 2, Josh Williams 2
The Wildcats aren’t trying to replicate last year’s team. They’re building a new identity - one that’s bigger, more physical, and just as hungry.
And if their early-season grit is any indication, BGA’s not done chasing championships. They’re just getting started.