With so much uncertainty surrounding the impending boys basketball season in the area in terms of who will stand out, it’s difficult to overlook teams that return a lot from a good squad.
That’s a big reason why Adams Central finds itself here, a program that won 20 games last season in addition to ACAC regular season and tournament titles and has five of its top six players back.
“We have all the pieces for another good season in competing for the conference and sectional,” Adams Central coach Aaron McClure said. “We have the ability to score both inside and outside.”
Speaking of the interior, it begins with 6-foot-7 senior Isaac Schultz. One of the top players in the area is back after averaging 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocks per game last season. Sophomore Braylend Reber will also add his height inside coming off a freshman campaign in which he averaged eight points and four rebounds.
An offense is only as good as its point guard, and the Flying Jets have a good one in Micah McClure (11 ppg, six apg). A third-year starter, the senior is adept at running the scheme as well as shooting the rock.
Off the ball, senior guard Ryan Tester could be considered the grittiest starter in the lineup. A feisty defender who is unafraid to mix it up with opposing players, he is also a good off-ball shooter from the perimeter.
Junior Trace Maller will move into the starting lineup after being the top sixth man in the ACAC last year. The 6-1 guard is quick and strong and will present just another problem for foes.
Also keep an eye on seniors Max Hamilton and Kolton Littler for depth in the post, along with junior Cade Van De Weg.
“I think we will be an improved team shooting from the perimeter, which should take some pressure off of our players inside,” Coach McClure said. “Defensively, our zone should be pretty good as we’ve got a lot of length and quickness.
“A lot of times our defense can help us generate transition offense.”
WHY #5?
With so much production returning from a 20-win squad, headlined by Isaac Schultz, Adams Central is a squad not to be taken lightly. The program has upped its win total in each of the past three years and gave Blackhawk Christian a difficult time in the sectional championship game last March one day after crushing Bishop Luers in the semis.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
There remains the question of just how good AC is outside of the ACAC. Unfortunately, we won’t get very many opportunities to evaluate. A home date with traditional foe Norwell in late December will be telling, as will a home showdown with Leo in early February and a trip to North Side two weeks later, but overall the schedule is far from daunting.
But regardless of the schedule, this team has an opportunity to win its first sectional crown in over a decade if everything comes together.
KEY GAME
Dec. 30 vs. Norwell
It isn’t a league game or even a matchup between potential sectional foes, but a late-December game against the Knights looms large.
Adams Central has lost seven-consecutive games to Norwell dating back to 2015. Last year was a lopsided 78-52 decision in mid-December, the start of a three-game losing streak for the Flying Jets.
At the very least, you’d like to see Adams Central compete in this one, something it really hasn’t done since a 49-43 loss in 2017. If the Flying Jets are to take the next step and have a real chance of knocking off Blackhawk Christian in sectional play, they need to show they can be competitive with a team like Norwell.
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