The road to a Northeast 8 Conference title this season runs through….every stop on the schedule.
“But Bounce, how can that be?”
Because the NE8 is as WIDE OPEN as it has probably ever been. Every team is built for some level of success and because of that, even predicting a favorite – don’t worry, I did – is hard…so imagine how hard it is to pick a predicted order of finish 1 through 8! Don’t worry, I did that too.
But with all of that said, I reserve the right to change my mind at any point of this season because its likely that any given team in the NE8 could win on any given night. That is especially intriguing because it is highly unlikely that one loss ends your title hopes with a 7 game conference schedule. So if you think you are too low on Bounce’s NE8 list right now, give it a couple weeks and it likely changes in this conference.
THE FAVORITE
EAST NOBLE
Experienced leadership and emerging talent define the season outlook for East Noble as they enter their fourth year under head coach Brandon Durnell. The Knights boast a guard-heavy lineup with junior Mason Treesh (8.6 ppg/2 apg) and seniors Nathan Bowker (7.6 ppg/2.5 apg) and Landon Swogger (6.7 ppg). Senior Kobe Ritchie (10.3 ppg/7.1 rpg), when healthy, has proven to be a dominant force in the post. The team faces a challenge with the preseason injury of Ryker Quake, a 6’2” senior guard and NE8 First Team selection, whose scoring (11.8 points per game) and defensive presence (2 steals per game) set the tone when he’s on the court. Quake could return sometime this season.
In his absence, sophomore Alex Scott, a 6’3” guard/forward, is poised to step into the starting lineup and make an impact with his size and athleticism after missing last season due to injury. Juniors Evan Cope and Owen Sowles, along with sophomore Ry Hathaway, bring depth and versatility from their time with the East Noble junior varsity.
“We are looking to fly in transition, while getting after people defensively. We will be undersized but hope to use some physicality to make up for it. Even with a couple injuries, our goals and expectations are not changing,” Durnell said.
THE CONTENDER
LEO
It is a new era for Leo boys basketball and while most coaching changes are important, the move away from a 20-year head coach always brings significant change. Among the returning varsity players are Nolan Hiteshew, Solomon Richard, Landon Ruoff, Colton Wallace and Grant Johnson. While it is nice to have a steady five for a new coach and new system, there is only a partial cut of heavy varsity experience, mostly from Hiteshew and Richard. Richard (8.8 ppg/3.9 rpg) played in and started 24 games for Leo last season, often running lead guard while Hiteshew was a steady starting presence when he was healthy, averaging 8.9 points per game. Ruoff (6.9 ppg/5.1 rpg) has the ability to be a dominating physical presence and flirted with a 20 rebound game last season.
Wallace and Johnson saw limited time last season and juniors, but each add in their own styles with Wallace being a more aggressive on ball defender and Johnson bringing a nice midrange touch to scoring. Adding to the mix is Jaiyre Sampson, a transfer from Carroll, who is expected to make an immediate impact. Sampson’s presence bolsters the team’s athleticism and versatility, potentially filling critical roles both offensively and defensively.
“I think we have a lot of experience, but just not always playing with each other. With a new coach and some new players, we have a lot to learn about each other and what is going to put us in a best position to win games. I think if we can get it all figured out, we will be a tough team to beat,” coach Derek Hinen said.
THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
BELLMONT
After a great campaign last year that saw many key players and the majority of the scoring graduate, Bellmont welcomes back three experienced seniors poised to lead the squad this season. Gavin Krull, a 6’2 guard, returns as the team’s top scorer, contributing an impressive 8.3 points per game last year. Joining him are Will Baker, a 6’4 guard that could be a matchup issue, and Daniel Vogel, a 5’11 guard who adds depth and hustle to the backcourt.
Joining the team are several new players expected to make an impact from the junior varsity. That group is led by juniors Beau Baker, Jake Hackman, Easton Curtis and Jack Johnson, while sophomore Cam Summers also logged JV minutes a season ago. Another sophomore, Isaac Baker, is expected to make the jump from last season’s freshman team. Bellmont will round out their lineup with minutes for freshman Daniel Selking.
“Although we are inexperienced, we have a lot of guys who shoot the ball at a high level. Gavin Krull is coming off a great year where he shot 39% from three. We bring in a handful of guys from a successful JV team last year that shoot the ball well. Again this year, we will rely heavily on our defense and ball movement to win us games,” said coach Payton Selking.
COLUMBIA CITY
The Eagles are coming off a stellar year of their own with strong senior leadership and balance, but will now have to regroup a little bit with less experienced players. That experience comes in the form of athletic standout Stratton Fuller, adynamic 5’11 guard who averaged 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game last year. He is joined by juniors Owen Marshall and Landon Richmond, both standing 6’3, who add size and versatility to the lineup. Richmond proved efficient in the post, shooting 58% from the field and grabbing 3.3 rebounds per game.
The team also gains an influx of fresh talent, headlined by 6’6 senior forward Caidyn Berna, a homeschool standout. The junior class brings depth and versatility with players like Trey Deckman, a 6’3 guard/forward, and Cal Miller, a 6’3 forward, both moving up from JV. Guards Josh Eberly, Camden Closson and Tyler Waybright will add to the perimeter. Brady Elkins and Gavin Smith will also be interior options while freshman guard Ian St. John could see some time. The size that Berna, Deckman and Miller add give the Eagles five players 6-foot-3 or taller.
“We have only three guys returning who have played varsity minutes. Our junior class is strong, but we will have to grow up fast and learn to play with the change of speed and physicality at the varsity level. If our guys can come in each day with the urgency and mentality to get better, then we could be a solid team come tournament play,” said coach Matt Schauss.
DEKALB
Speed and depth are the focus for DeKalb this season as they hope to go 8-10 players deep in their rotation. Senior forward Caiden Hinkle brings a scoring and rebounding punch to the lineup after averaging 5.5 points and 2.7 rebounds per game last year. Sophomore guard Brady Vince, a versatile presence on the court, contributed 5.4 points and a team-high 3.7 rebounds per game as a freshman. Juniors Brady Culler and Caden Rice also return. With sophomore Dalton Cox and senior Will Weber rounding out the returning group, the team has a foundation of experienced players to build upon.
Complementing the returning core are several new varsity players projected to make an impact. Juniors Graden Pepple, Zeke Penrod, Myles Dobson, Kayden Palumbo and Connor Schmidt join the team, each bringing unique strengths from the JV program. This infusion of talent, combined with the leadership of seasoned players, positions the team for growth and competitiveness in the upcoming season.
“Very excited for the group that is returning. We feel that we will be more competitive,” said coach Marty Beasley.
HUNTINGTON NORTH
The Vikings returns several key players, with experience on the court. Senior Ethan Zahn (12.6 ppg/2.9 apg) will provide leadership in the backcourt, alongside dynamic junior Grant Campbell. Juniors Dalton Husband (9.7 ppg/5.5 rpg) and Blaine Freiburger bring strength to the frontcourt, while sophomore Titus Schultz will look to make a bigger impact this season after logging minutes as a freshman, now ready to full showcase his offensive game that includes being one of the better shooters in the NE8.
The team will also see fresh talent step up from various levels. Freshman Aaron Grogg joins the varsity ranks, while senior Isaac Grogg and senior Wes Hotchkiss make the jump from JV. Sophomore Nate Bowman is expected to contribute as well, adding depth to the team’s roster. It will be interesting to see how this lineup stacks up in the second year under their coach.
“We are bigger, stronger, quicker, and system smarter in season 2 of the program. This should translate into a better job competing for a full 32 minutes giving us a chance to pull out some victories where we fell short last season,” said coach Eric Thompson.
NEW HAVEN
New Haven adds a new look with a new coach in former Angola head man Brandon Appleton, who has shown he can have success as the lead of a program. The returning varsity players for this season include a strong mix of guards and forwards. Sophomore Tarvar Baskerville (5.5 ppg) will look to continue his development, while juniors Jadrien Ezell and DeMarcus Wright bring experience to the team. Ezell’s versatile guard play and Wright’s presence in the frontcourt will be key for the team’s success in the upcoming season.
New talent is also joining the varsity squad this year, with several players stepping up from the JV team. Sophomores Lavell Ledbetter and Marquaylon Johnson will add depth to the roster, along with junior Darion Cryer. Additionally, senior Jamal Lawrence, a move-in, will provide a strong physical presence. With a combination of returning players and new additions, the team is poised for a competitive season.
“Athleticism and youth,” said Appleton about New Haven’s biggest strengths. “Can we overcome some growing pains and gain some experience heading into Sectional play?”
NORWELL
The returning varsity players for the team include Adam McBride, a senior guard who contributed 10 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game last season. Owen Wallis, a senior forward, averaged 1.5 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist per game, while junior forward Brady Smith, also 6’2”, added 1 point and 2 rebounds per game in the previous season. While there isn’t a ton of returning experience for Norwell, the height is going to be something that could be a great equalizer.
Several new players are expected to make an impact this season. Garry Riley and 6-foot-4 Ryne Thornton, both seniors, are moving up from the JV team. Junior guard Caiden Petrie and sophomore guard Nick McBride are also stepping up from JV. Freshman Josh McBride is moving up from 8th grade to join the varsity squad this year.
“We will have a lot of skilled basketball players that understand how we want to play. We will rely on our quickness and shooting. We must really focus on defending, rebounding, and taking care of the ball,” said coach Mike McBride.
BOUNCE’S NE8 PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
NE8
1. East Noble
2. Leo
3. Huntington North
4. DeKalb
5. Norwell
6. New Haven
7. Columbia City
8. Bellmont
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