Entering his third year at the helm, head coach Chris Benedict has the Carroll Chargers trending upward after closing last season with a sectional championship run and renewed confidence. Following an 11–16 campaign, Benedict’s squad now features an experienced nucleus.
Leading the way are seniors Brody Fisher and Miles Hering, both returning starters who emerged as key contributors in 2024–25. Fisher, a 6’6” forward, averaged 7.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game and brings size, skill, and a reliable midrange touch to the frontcourt. With last year’s leading scorer and rebounder Paxton Crane graduated, Fisher will be tasked with anchoring the offense and setting the tone inside. Hering, a 6’3” guard, contributed 4.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while showcasing the versatility to play multiple positions. His ability to handle the ball and defend across the perimeter gives Carroll flexibility in both tempo and lineup combinations.
The senior class also includes Dom Keferl, Monzer Omar, and Cole Lambert, each of whom gained valuable varsity experience a year ago. Their growth in maturity, confidence, and consistency will be vital for providing leadership beyond the stat sheet. Lambert, a steady 5’10” guard, adds toughness and energy to the rotation, while Omar and Keferl bring strength and hustle in the forward spots.
In the backcourt, junior Jack Van Order and sophomore Carter Middleton return after breakout stretches late last season. Van Order, a 6’1” guard who averaged 6.8 points per game, emerged as a key scoring option and confident shooter. Middleton, who added 3.8 points per game as a freshman, impressed with his poise and passing under pressure. Together, they form one of the SAC’s most intriguing young guard duos.
Carroll’s depth will be bolstered by a promising crop of juniors and sophomores eager to prove themselves. Lincoln Powell, Sullivan Hill, Tony Rongos, and DaRon Truesdale—a transfer from Bishop Luers—headline the newcomers, each bringing a mix of athleticism and potential to the Chargers’ rotation. The addition of 6’7” sophomore Finn Murphy provides a much-needed interior depth and rim protector, something the Chargers have lacked since Crane’s graduation.
Benedict’s experience, now spanning 34 years and 472 career wins, is a steadying force for a team that has the talent to find postseason success again. The challenge now is to sustain that level of play from November through March.
If the Chargers can blend their veteran leadership with the spark of their younger contributors, they have the pieces to contend near the top of the SAC standings.
WHY #9?
Carroll still has a lot to prove because they do replace their top player who was an All-Area performer, as well as the fact that they won a Sectional somewhat surprisingly last season.
But what has been shown so far is that the future Hall of Famer Benedict is consistent in his work from the sidelines and it has spilled over to the Carroll program quickly. The buy that he gets from his team has the Chargers back in the forefront of people’s minds again.
If they can establish success early, then this Chargers team has the depth to keep climbing the ladder all season long.
KEY GAME
December 13 at Columbia City
There are some key ones: trips to Penn and Fishers are going to be huge and show a lot about what the Chargers can be come the postseason. As will the late season visit to rival Homestead, who knocked Carroll out in the Regional round last season.
But the Carroll/Columbia City game is always a banger. That said, the Chargers have lost the last four in a row in this series. But keep in mind a couple of buzzer beaters and the fact that those four losses come by an average of just 7.6 points per game.
Just the fifth game and second road game for Carroll this season, against a NE8 frontrunner, this could be an early make or break.
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