BISHOP DWENGER
Coach: Matt Kostoff, 14th season (168-115)
Last year's record: 9-12
Returning starters/regulars
Michael Fiacable, 6-2, Jr., guard, 11 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg
Ryan Watercutter, 6-3, Jr., forward, 5 ppg, 3 rpg
Kennan Centlivre, 6-6, Jr., forward, 3 ppg, 3 rpg
Kyle Hartman, 5-10, So., guard, 4 ppg, 3 apg
T.J. Straessle, 6-2, Sr., guard
Key newcomers
Grady Eifert, 6-3, Jr., forward
Jeff Mugg, 6-5, Jr., forward
Ryan Christman, 6-0, So., guard
Austen Edwards, 5-11, Sr., guard
Marcus Stepp, 6-1, So., guard/forward
Antonio Blackmon, 6-0, Jr., guard
Coach Kostoff says:
What do you need to succeed?
Watercutter is the only returning starter, but Hartman played a lot as a freshman and will run the team. Centlivre and Mugg need to handle the middle. Eifert, Christman and Straessle are our best shooters.
What concerns you the most?
We will be very young this year. There were only two seniors, Straessle and Edwards, and both were hurt last year. Leadership is a concern with being so young. Fiacable is our top returner but he injured his knee in football and is doubtful for the season.
Team goals for this season?
As always, our success depends on if we can defense the talent in the area this year and we have to rebound.
Overall assessment of the team?
We need some guys to step up from last year's junior varsity team.
BISHOP LUERS
Coach: James Blackmon Sr., 9th season (131-56)
Last year's record: 14-9
Returning starters/regulars
James Blackmon Jr., 6-2, Jr., guard, 25 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.1 apg
Jaylon Smith, 6-4, Sr., forward, 18 ppg, 10.4 rpg
Michael Rogers, 6-1, Sr., guard, 4.1 ppg, 2.2 apg
Kendrick Mullen, 5-8, Sr., guard, 3 ppg, 2.7 apg
Matt Harris, 6-1, Sr., guard
Braxton Randolph, 6-2, Sr., guard
Key newcomers
Randon Jackson, 6-5, Sr., forward
Vijay Blackmon, 6-2, Fr., guard
The News-Sentinel says:
What do you need to succeed?
The Knights' biggest questions will be replacing five graduated players and the health of junior guard James Blackmon Jr., who was lost for the season after 18 games in last year with a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury.
What concerns you the most?
The Knights return a lot of players with playing experience but not a lot of height. Jaylon Smith will need to find some help inside on the boards. There's also a mostly new coaching staff.
Team goals for the season?
As always, the Knights want to contend for the Summit Athletic Conference title and go for the state title.
Overall assessment of the team?
No matter how many players graduate, Blackmon always seems to find more who can step in and contribute right away. With Blackmon and Smith, they have great outside and inside players, but everybody else better be prepared to bomb away from outside.
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN
Coach: Josh Eggold, 6th season (56-52)
Last year's record: 16-7
Returning starters/regulars
Ryan Gross, 6-1, Sr., guard, 9 ppg, 5.6 apg
Marq Rogers, 6-5, Sr., guard, 12 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg
Thomas Starks, 6-5, Sr., guard/forward, 11 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 apg
Brian Gremaux, 6-5, Sr., forward, 15 ppg, 4.6 rpg
Austin Harris, 6-2, Sr., guard, 2.7 ppg
D.J. McCall, 6-5, Jr., guard, 7.3 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg
Key newcomers
Brandon Webb, 6-3, Sr., forward
Aric Curry, 6-4, Sr., forward
Michael Hicks, 6-3, Sr., forward
Reggie Tharp, 5-10, Fr., guard
KiVuan Edwards, 6-2, Jr., guard
The News-Sentinel says:
What do you need to succeed?
The Cadets just have to keep doing what they have been as they have gotten progressively stronger under Eggold.
What concerns you the most?
The Cadets have lots of overall talent, but they lack the one or two really big players inside, especially when facing the taller foes.
Team goals for the season?
It's realistic to expect the Cadets to compete for the Summit Athletic Conference title and the Garrett Sectional title.
Overall assessment of the team?
With seven of eight players back from last year's 16-7 team, the Cadets should be one of the city's and area's top teams. This could be the year they've all been building for.
NORTHROP
Coach: Barak Coolman, 5th year (61-30)
Last year's record: 21-4
Returning starters/regulars
Bryson Scott, 6-2, Sr., guard, 25 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.2 apg
Brenton Scott, 6-0, Sr., guard, 16 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Jacoby Claypool, 6-1, Jr., guard, 4 ppg, 3 apg
Spencer Cowherd, 6-3, Sr., forward, 2.5 ppg
Cory Womack, 6-4, Sr., forward, 4 ppg
Antonio Richmond, 6-4, Sr., forward
Key newcomers
Lowell Griggs, 6-2, Jr., guard
Enis Becirevic, 6-3, Jr., forward
Jajuan Starks, 6-4, So., forward
Trevon Wilson, 5-11, Jr., guard
The News-Sentinel says:
What do you need to succeed?
Led by the dynamic Scott twins, the Bruins have won two consecutive sectional championships and return three starters as they gear up for another big season.
What concerns you the most?
The Bruins look to build on last year's success despite the fact that the Bruins lost four key seniors from last year's team. There's not a lot of height and someone will have to rebound for the Bruins to be able to get out and run.
Team goals for the season?
Northrop is 38-11 over the last two seasons with back-to-back regional appearances. The outlook for Coach Coolman's fifth 5th season comes with high expectations. Northrop's 21 wins last year were the most wins since the 1986-87 season. Northrop returns six of their there top 10 ten players from last year's squad.
Overall assessment of the team?
This is by far the deepest team that Coach Coolman has had in his four years and it will be exciting to see what they can accomplish.
NORTH SIDE
Coach: Shabaz Khaliq, 3rd season (52-33)
Last year's record: 12-9
Returning starters, regulars
Trevion Crews, 5-11, Jr., guard 8.2 ppg, 6.5 apg
Nygel Jones, 6-1, Sr., guard, 8.1 ppg, 3 rpg
Oosha Mitchell, 6-5, Jr., forward, 4.2 ppg, 3.5rpg
Sean McGee, 6-0, So., guard, 7 ppg,2.3 spg
Jeremy Jones, 6-2, Jr., guard, 3.1 ppg
Myluv Sutton, 6-5, Jr., forward, 2.3ppg
Key newcomers
Mike Davis, 6-5, Jr., forward
Dwight Richards, 6-5, Sr., forward
Coach Khaliq says:
What do you need to succeed?
We need to play with a high energy level and be consistently intense throughout the game. If we do the little things, then we will be hard to beat.
What concerns you the most?
We have to be more consistent with all that we do this year. If we can maintain a consistent level of intensity and energy, then we will be fine.
Team goals for this season?
Our goals never change from year to year. We expect to win the SAC tournament, then the conference followed by a sectional.
Overall assessment of the team?
I am excited about our team this year. This team has the potential to do some special things and they are a pleasure to work with. They have a work ethic that is unmatched by any team I have had in the past. If we can play with a high level of intensity, the sky is the limit.
SNIDER
Coach: John Todor, 4th season (28-30)
Last year's record: 7-12
Returning starters/regulars
Josh Spitnale, 6-6, Sr., forward, 10 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Stephen Halstead, 6-2, Jr., forward, 10 ppg, 2.3 rpg.
Trey'von Covington, 6-0, Jr., guard, 12.5 ppg
Jared Harvey, 6-4, Sr., 4.69 ppg, 1.31 rpg
Aaron Washington, Sr., 6-0, guard, 4.32 ppg
Martez Pharm, Sr., 6-4, forward
Matt Guffey, 6-2, Sr., guard
Key newcomers
Leander Williams, 5-7, Jr., guard
Devlyn Williams, 6-5, So., forward
Logan Godfrey, 6-6, So., forward
Donavin O'Day, 6-6, Jr., forward
Elijah Pierce, 5-9, Jr., guard
Connor Haxton, 6-4, So., forward
Devin Lowe, 6-0, So., guard
Coach Todor says:
What do you need to succeed?
We need the entire team to buy into the philosophy of caring more about others than yourself. We have 10 different guys that could start basketball games for us, we do not need to depend on one 1 player to get 20 points a night, instead on any given night any of our top 10 players could be our major contributor. We have great size, speed, athleticism and most importantly all of young men are outstanding students within the classroom.
What concerns you the most?
Rebounding is a big concern;, however with new faces Donavin O'Day 6'6,” Logan Godfrey 6'6,” Devlyn Williams 6'5,” and returning all-SAC first team Josh Spitnale 6'6,” the Panthers should be much improved on the boards.
Team goals for this season?
Win SAC. Win a state championship. The Panthers spent a lot of time this past summer developing team chemistry in the 24 summer shootout games they played in together. Early season test(s) at home vs. Muncie Central on Nov. 30 and at Anderson on Dec. 1 will be a measuring stick as to where the Panthers are as a team before they open SAC play vs. North Side.
Overall assessment of the team?
The Panthers were in rebuild mode last season., Wwe have a tough non-conference schedule which should prepare us for postseason play in late February and early March. The Panthers play Muncie Central, Anderson, Marion, Homestead, Carroll, New Haven, Warsaw, East Noble in tough nonconference games this season.
SOUTH SIDE
Coach: Mike Novell, 27th year (271-347)
Last year's record: 5-15
Returning starters/regulars
Devin Jones 6-2, Sr., guard
Domonique Gleason, 5-11, Sr., forward
Deion Williams, 5-9, Sr., forward
Eric Hairston, 5-10, Sr., guard
Aaron Montgomery, 6-0, Sr., guard
Aaron Thomas, 6-0, Sr., forward
Keyontae Green, 5-7, Sr., guard
Nate Thomas, 6-3, Jr., guard/forward
Teon Fryar, 5-7, Jr., guard
Sam Stephens, 6-4, Jr., center
Trae Martin, 5-3, So., guard
Key newcomer
William Holley, 5-11, Sr., guard
Coach Novell says:
What do you need to succeed?
We need a great defensive effort and intensity each night with our press and halfcourt pressure as well as … a good concept of keeping our opponents away from second- and third-shot opportunities. Our transition game needs to render points. We must dictate tempo and style of play.
What concerns you the most?
Our lack of interior size and post play is a big concern.
Team goals for this season?
No team will outwork us ... . We determine the game's outcome.
Overall team assessment?
A solid group of players who are blue-collar workers and play with a loyal passion every time we step on the floor ... I love these guys.
WAYNE
Coach: Aaron Rehrer, 3rd season (19-24)
Last year's record: 9-12
Returning starters/regulars
Justin Mitchell, 6-4, Jr., guard, 14.9 ppg , 6.1 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.1 spg
Marlon Fincher, 5-9, Sr., guard, 2 ppg
Darrius Ellison, 6-1, Sr., guard, 2 ppg, 1 spg
Jescus Mitchell, 6-0, Jr., guard, 3.6 ppg, 1.3 apg
Rashad Sims, 6-4, Sr., center, 3.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Keion Tucker, 6-2, Sr., forward
Alex Catalan, 6-0, Sr., guard
Key newcomers:
Levi Mitchell, 6-2, Jr., guard/forward
Marco Lee, 5-7, So., guard
Josh Smiley, 6-4, So., forward
Jari Dada, 6-2, Jr., forward
Dion Walker, 6-6, Sr., center
Tahj Thomas, 6-2, Jr., guard/forward
Kye Black, 6-1, So., guard/forward
Mike Lovett, 6-2, So., guard/forward
Coach Rehrer says:
What do you need to succeed?
In order for our team to be successful this season, we have to be consistent with our effort and attention to detail on a daily basis. It will also be key for us to play as a unit. We do have some very good individual players, but our ability to defend as a team and to make the extra pass will be a huge factor in our success.
What concerns you the most?
Inexperience. We graduated five seniors last year that played a majority of the minutes. We will be looking for some of our players to step up and play a major role in our program this year. I feel that our 9th Grade and JV coaches have done a great job preparing these young men to play at a high level on the varsity level.
Team goals for this season?
Our goal is to become a better basketball team every time we hit the floor. Our practices and our game schedule are going to be very challenging and competitive daily. We believe that we can compete with anyone on our schedule, but we need to not only beat our opponent on game night, but on the practice floor as well!
Overall assessment of the team?
We have a great group of kids in our program this year that work very hard and they play unselfish basketball. Our strength this season will definitely be our defense and that will help us to get out in transition offensively. We are very deep at the guard position, so we will look to play a more up-tempo and aggressive style on both ends of the floor.
