It could be another very exciting season for Wayne basketball, anchored by a strong group of returning seniors who bring both talent and experience. Leading the charge is Chase Barnes, a 6’3” guard who was named both a Junior All-Star and Junior All-State last season. Barnes (14.3 ppg/4.3 rpg) is a dynamic scorer and playmaker, capable of taking over games and setting the tone for his team. He will make a mush to be an Indiana All-Star as a senior and his coach thinks he will be in the talk for Mr. Basketball once the season ends.
Joining him again for an inside-outside punch is Trey Dillard, a 6’8” forward who provides a dominant presence in the paint, and Preston Comer, a versatile 6’6” wing who excels at both ends of the court. Dillard is approaching both 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds after averaging 12.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game last season as one of the area’s only players to average a double double. Comer averaged 7.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game and shot 33 percent from the perimeter.
Rounding out the senior core are Khalyn Williams-Thomas (8.3 ppg) and Harold Mack. Williams-Thomas, a 6’4” guard/wing, brings size and athleticism to the perimeter, while Mack, a 6’0” utility player, offers the team flexibility with his ability to play guard, forward, and wing positions. Together, these returning players form a well-rounded lineup.
The addition of two new varsity players adds depth and energy to the roster. Shawn Green, a 6’1” junior guard, is moving up from JV, where he showcased his skills as a tenacious defender and reliable scorer. Sophomore Tyree Eldridge, also 6’1”, brings youthful energy and a high basketball IQ. Both players are expected to contribute immediately and push the team’s competitive edge.
Wayne’s roster is built for versatility and balance. With a mix of size, speed, and experience, the team can adapt to different styles of play, whether it’s dominating inside with Dillard and Comer or lighting up the perimeter with Barnes and Williams-Thomas. Their chemistry and depth will be critical as they navigate a challenging schedule and aim to make a deep postseason run yet again.
“We have good experience returning this season. Our seniors have been to two semi-states and
one final four. They have won the conference the past two seasons,” said coach Anthony Brewer.
WHY #1?
Wayne’s run over the past several seasons have been amazing and they’ve done it under two different head coaches.
Though they lost five players to graduation (four of which went on to play college basketball), the Generals still return four of their five starters and are poised for another statement season as long as they can find a way to pad the impact of the loss of Jevon Lewis to graduation.
Wayne has all the tools on the court to be a high level program yet again. They have as balanced of a first four as anyone in Northeast Indiana and maybe even in the entire northern half of the state.
KEY GAME
January 31 vs. Bishop Luers
Yes, we are going to just repeat what we said for Bishop Luers at #2.
With all due respect to other games on either team’s schedule, this is the one that we all have circled. It was big last season and it will be bigger this time around in a lot of ways.
Wayne’s 68-65 win last year was essentially the biggest of their SAC championship season and there is a pretty high expectation from both teams and from outsiders that the game this season will once again determine the conference champion.
Strength against strength. Skill against skill. Crafty against crafty.
Everyone should be all in on January 31 in a game, that if it is for the conference title, could have a crowd that rivals anything Fort Wayne has seen since the old SAC Holiday Tournament finals.
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