When any new season begins, we all have questions. Is it about a player, a team, a conference, a rivalry, a coach? So many questions to unfold.
The peak of those, to Bounce, is looking at teams that have something to prove. Overachieve last season? Fall short when you shouldn’t have? Need to maximize a roster that is senior laden in 2025-2026? Coaching change? There are so many reasons to seem like you have something you need to prove.
So here are five of those teams as Bounce sees them going into the new boys basketball season.
CARROLL CHARGERS
A team that will be defending a Sectional title is rarely one with something to prove. But for Carroll, they have something on the plate here: was it a fluke or was it a success story earlier than they expected? Coach Chris Benedict is a legend in the area and there were of course hopes that he’d lead Carroll to titles as he has done so many other places, but last year was still a bit of a surprise as they ended up 11-16 overall. With graduating an overwhelming dominant post presence, the onus will be others to step in major ways. Seniors Brody Fisher, Monzer Omar, Dom Keferl and Miles Hering are critical inside-out pieces and some youth including junior Jack Van Order and sophomore Carter Middleton will have to play above their years.
WOODLAN WARRIORS
Just under 88 percent of Woodlan’s scoring was lost to graduation after a great year where they put the ACAC on notice. Now Woodlan will have to build up from next to nothing back on the varsity level. Seniors Jordan Halsey and Ashtin Jacquay, as well as junior Keaton Delagrange return after playing in 25 or 26 games each but the punch they had last year was minimal behind a loaded senior group. Delagrange found himself in the starting lineup quite a bit last season and is coming off a strong summer, so he will be one to watch for the Warriors. Coach John Baker has been through this before, losing a big senior class, so it will be interesting to see how Woodlan rebounds this time.
LEO LIONS
Leo was another team hit hard by graduation after their trip to the Class 3A sectional title game. That means there is a lot of filling in to do for Coach Derek Hinen in his second season leading the Lions. A major benefit of course is the return of senior Nolan Hiteshew, who’s size and strength as a big guard allow him to play and defend a lot of positions. Can Leo stay competitive in the NE8 and the sectional? That will depend a lot on who steps into quality roles. Treven Creigh picked up valuable varsity minutes last year, especially early on when Leo was missing some players from the lineup, so that will help in the back court. Leo over the years has had such a strong interior presence, it will be interesting to see how seniors Sajeh Richard and Cole Grable, as well as sophomore Jonah Lagrange can step up in the post.
LAKELAND LAKERS
So how does this team have something to prove. They graduated a few but have a lot back. They were right in the thick of the NECC race right down to the end of the season last year. They also beat the reigning NECC champions Westview along the way. But the reality is Lakeland has every bit of potential to compete for the NECC title again, so they have to prove they can be consistent. Last season, the Lakers did not win more than three games in a row and despite big wins they had poorly timed losses like to Central Noble in the NECC Tournament or a two-point loss to a mid-level Wawasee team. Lakeland is expected to have another good season, but to reach maximum potential they will need to string together wins and win the games that they should.
DEKALB BARONS
Things were not always happy and clear in Waterloo last season, but a new coach and a fresh start has onlookers excited about what the Barons can do with the vast majority of their lineup back. Seniors Caden Rice and Zeke Penrod both provide an inside punch that can work on the perimeter well. Brady Vince was one of the most underrated defenders in the area last season, with 37 steals, and he also is a highly underrated rebounder for his size. The NE8 is going to be a competitive conference again and if new coach Austin Ervin can keep the balance in his program early, this team could surge at the right times.
These opinions represent those of Bounce and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Bounce on Twitter at Bounce_OTH
Be the first to comment