The challenges continue to ramp up for Blackhawk Christian, yet this program just seems to rise to the occasion with every obstacle.
For the first time, the Braves will compete in Class 3A, with another Success Factor boost pushing the program up after a half-decade stint in Class 2A.
But much like the move from 1A to 2A, expectations remain the same for a squad that has won 16 or more games in 11-consecutive seasons and finished just a game short of a second-straight state title game last year.
The Braves will be led by senior Kellen Pickett, who was a Indiana Junior All-Star last season and is committed to Wright State. The 6-foot-8 forward paced the team last year in points (20.5 ppg), rebounds (11.9) and blocks (3.8) while finishing second in assists (4.8) per contest. He is a handful in the post and a threat to pull up from the outside, making him one of the best players in the area entering this season.
A pair of classmates will complement Pickett – senior Bryce Sefton (8.6 ppg, 4.1 apg) and Luke Mansfield (4.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg). Sefton may be Blackhawk Christian’s most versatile player, able to shut down the opposition’s top scorers while being a threat in multiple ways on the offensive end. Meanwhile, Mansfield broke out late last season as another solid defender for Coach Matt Roth’s team and will be a bigger offensive threat on the wing this year.
Still, the loss of seniors Isaac Smith (15.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and Aiden Muldoon (10.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 5.1 apg), among others, will challenge Roth to find successors to their effectiveness.
“There are always things that chance when one senior class leaves and the next steps up,” Roth said. “This process is what makes sports so beautiful. Last year’s senior class left us with things to work towards. They were an experience group that had leaders, tough kids, talented players and great young men.
“We will miss that group and work to teach the next group what it takes.”
Overall, Blackhawk Christian graduated six seniors. The ability to replace their presence with new faces will go a long way to determining the Braves’ success this year.
“We have a great mix of young, fresh talent and faces to the program,” Roth said. “I expect big things from them as they grow within the culture of the team and learn the intricacies of what makes our program unique.”
The schedule is once again laden with challenges, beginning with a visit to Mishawaka Marian to open the season the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. The majority of the SAC is on the slate, as well taking on Avon at Brownsburg and participating in the Ray Furney Holiday Classic in Lawrenceburg right after Christmas.
WHY #5?
With one of the top players in the entire state leading the way in Kellen Pickett, Blackhawk Christian is poised to have another season in which it piles up victories.
However, the Braves now find themselves up two classes due to Success Factor. How will that impact this program in the postseason? The Braves have won seven-consecutive sectional titles, over that time winning three state championships – one in 1A and a pair in 2A.
With every class jump comes bigger challenges. So far, Blackhawk Christian has handled them admirably, but what does competing in Class 3A hold?
KEY GAME
February 1 at Wayne
Considering Blackhawk Christian is not in a conference, there is no pivotal game on the schedule that will decide a league title.
So we will go with the choice that will mean more to followers of northeast Indiana basketball than it will the teams. Last year, Wayne handled the Braves at Blackhawk Christian in a 14-point victory. It was one of three losses to SAC teams last season, but those trio of defeats fueled the team to make another run in Class 2A.
For the entertainment value alone, February 1 in the revamped gym at Wayne High School will be must-see.
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