Angola has enough returning experience to aim high and enough production to replace to make this season an intriguing challenge. Coming off an 18-6 campaign and an 8-2 finish in the NECC, the Hornets enter 2026-27 with four returning starters and their sights set on winning both the conference’s regular-season and tournament championships.
That pursuit starts with Niles Knox, the 6-foot-4 junior who has already established himself among the conference’s best. Knox earned first-team All-NECC recognition as a sophomore, giving Angola a proven centerpiece as it works to climb from last season’s third-place conference finish. His combination of size and production provides a strong starting point for a group that identifies togetherness, athleticism and grit as its greatest strengths.
Knox averaged 16.9 points and 8.7 rebounds last winter, improving from 13.7 points and 6.9 rebounds as a freshman. He also contributed 1.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game last season, with 4.2 of his rebounds coming on the offensive glass. Those second-chance opportunities give him another way to influence games beyond his scoring.
While Knox gives Angola an established offensive anchor, replacing Ryan Stuckey will require a collective effort. Stuckey averaged 13.8 points, a team-leading 9.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists as a senior last season. His departure leaves significant responsibilities available, making the development of the returning supporting cast central to Angola’s championship hopes.
Junior Cru Weber is one player positioned to take on more. Another 6-foot-4 guard/forward, Weber returns after averaging 4.3 points and 2.5 rebounds. With Knox likely to command considerable defensive attention, a more assertive Weber could help give the Hornets a second scoring option while adding length alongside their leading returner.
The senior backcourt pairing of Jacob Fraley and Reed Lantz supplies valuable continuity. Fraley averaged 3.4 points and 1.3 steals last season, while Lantz contributed 4.3 points. Both stand 5-foot-8, and their experience will be important as Angola looks for steady guard play and more production around Knox; Fraley spent a good chunk of last season in the starting lineup.
Lantz also offers a returning perimeter threat after shooting 31 percent from three-point range last season. His ability to stretch defenses could become especially useful alongside Angola’s size. For both senior guards, the opportunity is there to turn familiar roles into greater influence over the offense.
The incoming varsity group adds two more 6-foot-4 players in junior Parker Goslee and sophomore Jackson Diller, both moving up from JV. Their arrival gives Angola additional size to develop around Knox and Weber. How quickly they adjust to varsity competition could help determine the Hornets’ depth and flexibility over the course of the season.
Angola’s goals extend beyond the standings, with enjoying the moment also a stated priority for this close-knit group. There is a promising foundation in its returning starters, a productive leader in Knox and room for several players to make meaningful jumps. Turning those pieces into a balanced attack will be the next step toward making the Hornets’ NECC ambitions a reality.
“We are extremely excited for the upcoming season. We have an experienced group that is committed to each other and ready to chase something special this season. Together we will compete one day at a time and continue to grow to pursue our goals,” said coach Bryan Weber.
WHY #8?
Angola graduated a lot of experience last season but the size they bring up from the junior varsity in Goslee and Diller is important. They will be a team who can get really hot shooting the ball well and that is likely number one on everyone’s scouting report. The Hornets have been in the thick of the NECC for years now and what they have established is important with younger guys too. This is a tough out, ask Westview who has basically breezed through NECC play for two straight years but that Angola took to overtime last season. Yes, that was a product of some of the guys who are now gone but it is also a product of how hard this program works.
CRITICAL GAME – December 11 vs. Garrett
This has been one of the area’s better rivalries for the past two seasons, with Garrett winning two of three two years ago and Angola powering there way through a good game last season. At 2-2 against each other during that stretch, this game will be an important early season contest especially with a 2nd game this season against each other locked in for the NECC Tournament already, not to mention they are in the same Sectional. Last season, Angola pulled away in overtime for a 9 point win. The average margin of victory in four meetings the last two seasons is less than 7 points and the two teams have gone to overtime twice in 4 games. This has all the makings of another barn burner.
CRUCIAL PLAYER
How well does Cru Weber stretch the floor this season? He hit a team best 22 three pointers last season and with his length, that can create considerable matchup problems for opposing defenses. With an improved success rate (although he was just 4 percent off Angola’s best shooter last season), Weber can be a real problem offensively for the Hornet opponents this season. Look for him to make a bigger impact with the ball in his hands more.
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