THE FAVORITE
New Haven Bulldogs
New Haven enters the season with an experienced, talented core led by senior guard Jadrien Ezell (14 ppg, 2nd Team All-Conference) and junior point guard Tarvar Baskerville (14 ppg, 1st Team All-Conference), forming one of the area’s top backcourts. Inside, Lavell Ledbetter (8 ppg, 2nd Team All-Conference) and DaMarcus Wright (7 ppg, NE8 Honorable Mention) provide strength and balance, while key players Daylen Jackson, Darion Cryer, and Shane Rogers Smith (transfer from North Side) add depth and versatility. Freshman Jayon Thomas (6’3”, 245 lbs) is expected to make an immediate impact in the post. With only two seniors lost, the Bulldogs experience gives them a strong foundation. That could help them push to win the NE8 title again, this year seeking an outright title.
“Excited to see what we are capable of this season as we return lots of players in our program. We want to play fast and aggressive with a better understanding of what plays help us win ball games,” said coach Brandon Appleton.
THE CONTENDER
Columbia City Eagles
With a senior-heavy roster and four returning starters, this year’s team brings experience, chemistry, and balance across the board. Leading the way are Landon Richmond (13.1 PPG, 6.7 RPG, All-State HM) and Owen Marshall (10.3 PPG, 2.6 APG). Trey Deckman and sharpshooter Josh Eberly (39% from three) round out a talented core. Seniors Camden Closson, Cal Miller, Tyler Waybright, Troy Hartman and Braden Elkins provide depth, with newcomers sophomore Ian St. John and junior Manny Dittlinger expected to contribute. After focusing on strength and physicality in the offseason, the group’s unselfish mindset and veteran leadership set the tone for a season built on toughness, teamwork, and the goal of peaking when tournament time arrives.
“I am excited for our upcoming season because our community is going to see a special group of players that compete and that care for each other’s success. These kids have sacrificed a lot of time and put in a great amount of effort to become a great basketball team,” said coach Matt Schauss.
THE OTHERS (Alphabetical Order)
Bellmont Braves
With a blend of returning experience and young talent, Bellmont is wanting to get back into the title picture sooner than later. Sophomore guard Daniel Selking will again be a key scoring option after averaging 12.3 points and 4 rebounds per game, while senior center Beau Baker could provide size and rebounding presence when healthy. Seniors Jake Hackman, Maddux Miller, Jack Johnson, and junior Cameron Summers bring stability and toughness, forming the backbone of a hardworking group. The roster also features promising newcomers such as juniors Isaac Baker and sophomores Jack Schultz and Luke Summers, along with freshman Easton Baker, who add depth and energy. After shooting 31% from three last season, they devoted significant offseason time to improving their accuracy—an emphasis that could be the difference in achieving their championship goals.
“I am looking forward to coaching this group of young men this year. It is a very hard-working group that is eager to get better each day,” said coach Payton Selking. “We are a little young and will be undersized in most games but this group is looking forward to overcoming those obstacles and competing in a very competitive conference and sectional.”
DeKalb Barons
Senior forwards Zeke Penrod (8.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and Caden Rice (8.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg) — both Honorable Mention All-Conference selections — anchor a balanced frontcourt, while junior guards Brady Vince (8.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.6 apg, Second Team All-Conference) and Dalton Cox (5.1 ppg, 2.5 apg) provide versatility and playmaking in the backcourt. Seniors Brady Culler, Kayden Palumbo, and Graden Pepple add valuable experience and leadership, and senior forward Bowen Minehart joins as an impact newcomer ready to contribute immediately. The Barons boast solid depth, physicality, and athleticism. Embracing a new system, the focus will be on developing shot-making consistency and learning how to close out tough games.
“I couldn’t be more excited about the group that we have this year. We have a group that has a lot of physical ability and athleticism,” said new DeKelb coach Austin Ervin. “It will be a lot of fun watching this group play together and compete. We will be a group with high energy and competitiveness that will battle each and every possession. A lot to be excited about with this group.”
East Noble Knights
A new coach takes over in Kendallville as longtime former NECC coach Ed Bentley takes over a team that will replace their entire starting five. Junior Carson Waltke will be a player to watch when he becomes eligible in December after a transfer last season; he is a strong rebounder and interior presence coming off a great summer/fall. He joins seniors Evan Cope and Keegan Derry, as well as returning junior athlete Alex Scott at the core of the Knights. The junior class is a strength of East Noble, also included Koen Quake and Luca Benedict. Freshman Owen Will is likely to see some time, as is the addition of senior Hunter Shire, who brings size from the gridiron as an lineman for East Noble.
Huntington North Vikings
Huntington North will be back without their leading scorer, but led by five players who gained valuable varsity minutes a year ago. Senior guard Grant Campbell, who started the first two games before suffering an ankle injury, averaged 2.4 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Fellow seniors Blaine Freiburger and Dalton Husband bring toughness and production to the paint—Husband posted 9.8 points, 2.2 assists, 2.2 steals, and 5.9 rebounds per game, while Freiburger added 4.8 boards and defensive presence inside. Junior guard Titus Schultz headlines the backcourt after a breakout 12.7 points per game campaign, complemented by sophomore playmaker Aaron Grogg, who averaged 4.2 points and 2.6 assists. The Vikings’ depth grows with promising underclassmen like Brayden Freiburger, Brody Bolen, Andrew McCutcheon, Norman Wilkinson, and Cam Keyser stepping into key roles. This group’s quickness, strength, length and unselfish play could make them dangerous in the NE8 race.
“Vikes worked feverishly as a team and individually to make some noise this season. We will compete and be fun to watch this season,” said coach Eric Thompson.
Leo Lions
Leo enters the 2024–25 season with a new look and a focus on development, led by senior standout Nolan Hiteshew, a returning Second Team All-NE8 selection and the team’s lone full-time varsity returner from a Sectional finalist. The supporting cast includes several players making the leap from JV to varsity although some did play some credible varsity minutes. The Lions will rely on Treven Creigh as one of those guys who appeared in 23 games on the varsity level as well as two starts but averaged just six minutes per game. They will also need the size of senior Sajeh Richard to replace lost interior play. Andrew Scrogham, Jay Henney, Lukas Miller, Cole Grable, Jonah Lagrange, and Bo Swartz are all up from JV duties. While the Lions may face challenges early against bigger, more experienced opponents, their greatest strength lies in their coachability, unity, and long-term potential. The program emphasizes focusing on the process rather than immediate results, with the expectation that this group will evolve significantly from November to February.
“I think we have a great schedule and have the pieces to compete. It will be a test for us every night and we will have to find a way to win close games,” said coach Derek Hinen.
Norwell Knights
The Knights enter the new season with a mix of returning production and promising new contributors ready to step into larger roles. Junior guard Nick McBride returns as a steady backcourt presence after averaging 10 points, 2 assists, and 2 rebounds per game, while sophomore standout Josh McBride adds versatility and scoring punch after posting 12.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2 steals per contest as a freshman. The roster features several athletic juniors poised to make an impact, including Trey Privett, Cade Thornton, Jack Richardson, Drew Jolley, and Cooper Bunn, giving the Knights depth and balance across the floor. The Knights’ disciplined play style and collective work ethic should serve them well as they adjust to varsity speed and continue to improve daily, with a clear focus on being competitive in both the NE8 and postseason sectional play.
“We are excited to watch this young group of guys grow and develop,” said coach Mike McBride.
BOUNCE’S PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. New Haven
2. Columbia CIty
3. Huntington North
4. DeKalb
5. East Noble
6. Leo
7. Norwell
8. Bellmont
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