(Note: story is behind a paywall)

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Whenever the shot clock discussion in high school basketball begins, I feel like a bad sports-talk radio host. I can’t fake a strong take either way.

If you missed it, the shot clock became a hot topic again this week when the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) board of governors voted to permit a 35-second shot clock for state association adoption starting with the 2022-23 season.

It is important to keep in mind this is not a mandate. There are eight states that already have a shot clock in high school basketball (California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Washington; Georgia voted last June to add a shot clock for the 2022-23 season). Those states previously went against the NFHS by implementing a shot clock, giving up a position on the association’s basketball rules committee.

I think some, at least on Twitter, interpreted the shot-clock news Wednesday as “high school basketball is getting a shot clock.” That is not true, necessarily, unless your state votes to implement a shot clock. And judging by what Indiana High School Athletic Association commissioner Paul Neidig said Wednesday, I’m not sure we are headed in that direction.

“We have the best coaches and players in in the country,” Neidig said. “We have a tournament that every school in Indiana gets to play in. The object of the game is to put your team in the best possible position to win. Possession control is certainly a strategy utilized by many coaches in Indiana. I do not see a reason to take a strategy used to win from our coaches. But the debate will certainly be the center of conversation for a while.”

And this is where I find myself fighting my down-the-middle, lukewarm takes on a shot clock. Because when I hear what Neidig says, I agree. When I hear others say, “the game is better with a shot clock,” I also agree. In a decidedly unofficial poll, I put this question out on Twitter on Thursday: “Are you in favor of a shot clock in Indiana high school basketball?” The answers from 1,480 responses:

>> Yes it is a definite need: 49.4%

>> No it is not necessary: 22.8%

>> On fence but favor it: 20.5%

>> On fence but against it: 7.4%

Add that up and it is roughly 70% in favor, either totally in support or leaning in that direction. That is not necessarily surprising considering it is social media and skews to a younger audience. But I do sense the decision of the NFHS on Wednesday is another small step and a little more momentum in the direction of a shot clock. It may take another decade before it happens in Indiana, but I think it eventually will.

Because I’m still riding the fence, here are my three reasons for and against a shot clock:

.....

I personally am against the shot clock being used in Indiana High School Basketball,  frankly it's not needed.   Would like to hear other opinions.....................

1. Parke Heritage - Clear favorites again this year, and I don't see them being challenged in the WRC. They graduated 2 very important pieces in Luce/Harper, which will inevitably be hard to replace, but with another year of experience for their younger guys, I don't see their dominance stopping. They bring back some core pieces in Schelsky, Pickle, Crum, Goins, Miller, and add Riverton Parke's best players as transfers. They will still have the size to dominate the post, and have the best guard play around the area. I believe they have 4/12 all conference players from last year on their team this year, and with Treigh Schelsky leading them for the 4th year, they will be tough.  Look for them to make another run in March. Lost 20 out of 64PPG from last year, but got 17PPG & 10PPG transfers from Riverton.

(7-0 Conference Prediction)

2. North Vermillion - I have NV/Seeger being a very close match up, but since the game is at NV, I will give them the edge. NV graduated a couple key pieces in Dawson/Edwards, but will be replaced with another big kid, and some underclassmen guards. NV has turned the corner the last couple of years, and will only continue to get better with Teagan Leonard leading the team, who is on track to end his career around 2,000 points. Leonard has some complimentary pieces around him with 4 year starter Dowers, and 2 year starter Thomann. If they stay healthy I do think they can beat anyone in the conference outside of PH. Lost 23 out of 61PPG from last year. 

(6-1 Conference Prediction)

3. Seeger - Seeger only graduated two players from a very competitive/sophomore heavy team last year. They return ALL of those guys, and add a very good freshmen class to compliment them. I would not be surprised if they ended up 6-1 as well. This team will be scary next year if they don't lose guys due to transfers. They will be led by Jack Cole, but don't really have a standout guy, they're all just pretty solid. Lost 15 out of 55PPG from last year.

(5-2 Conference Prediction)

This is where it gets a little crazy, and could go so many different ways.

4. Covington - They graduated at least 3 starters from a solid team last year, but one of those starters was a key component to how their team runs in Stein. He was a their distributor or scorer for the last two years, and will not be easily replaced. They also graduated Waddell, who was a huge presence for them inside with Herzog last year. They return Herzog (who is a top 3 big in the conference, Smith and Rieman, who were sophomores that gave them good minutes. Lost 34 out of 52PPG from last year.

(4-3 Conference Predicition)

5. Riverton Parke - They lost their best player and arguably second best player to Parke Heritage. I would've put them at 4 if they had those guys. They will have Sanders/Lezniak, and a couple other big kids. I will be interested to see how they fare without those two guys. Lost 31 out of 54 PPG from last year. 

(3-4 Conference Prediction)

6. Fountain Central - They have a top 4 player in the conference in Foxworthy, so they will be able to stay very competitive with him. They also return their second leading scorer from last year and didn't really graduate anyone that important. I see their season being very comparable to last year, and will be able to beat anyone in the 4-8 spot, just don't know if they will score enough outside of Foxworthy to win a lot of games. Lost 14 out of 38PPG from last year.

(2-5 Conference Prediction)

7. South Vermillion - They took probably the biggest hit of all teams last year. They graduated at least 8 seniors that I know of, and didn't play any underclassmen. The only reason I put them at 5 is because their JV from what I hear was decent last year, and I think that alone will edge out Attica. I don't know much more about this team than that, but can easily see them being 5-8 as well. Lost 57 out of 59PPG from last year!

(1-6 Conference Prediction)

8. Attica - They return some key pieces and made a big jump last year. I think they will be competitive in the 4-8 games for some portions, and could see them winning a game if things go perfect. Lost 14 out of 42PPG from last year.

https://www.visitindiana.com/basketball/locations/frankfort-high-school-everett-case-arena/

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CANNELTON – This was supposed to be a winnable game. Maybe on a different day, under different circumstances, it would have been. But inside the locker room in the Cannelton High School gym at halftime Monday night, it did not feel winnable.

Four players, Brayden Puckett, Gage Garrett, Jayden Cecil and Jerrett Coon, sat in front of their lockers with their heads down. A fifth, Isaac Fuqua, sat on the couch nearby next to a laundry basket. Coach Mike Garrett was done talking, rehashing the positives (not many) and negatives (many) of a first half that saw Cannelton facing a 19-point deficit.

The silence stretched from 30 seconds to 60 to 90. Finally, the five Bulldogs and coach huddled again in the locker room and with a unifying “Bulldogs!” took the court for the second half. Gage Garrett, the junior point guard and Mike’s youngest son, would later call this game “a disappointment.” But once the frustration of another loss wears off, Gage feels different.

The whole team — all five of them — feel it. It sometimes sounds like a cliché high school sports teach life lessons. It is true here. This game, played in front of about 30 people on a Monday night, could have been crossed off the schedule. It would have been easier to cross the whole season off. But five kids in this Ohio River town of 1,574 in southern Indiana committed to something together.

The “Cannelton Five” intend to finish it.

...

True athletes and true teammates.  Another great story of Indiana High School Basketball by Mr. Neddenreip.

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INDIANAPOLIS — It was barely past 6 a.m. on March 20, 1925. Lewis Fletcher Scott, the freshman class president at Anderson High School, wore a red and green sweater as he leaned against the west middle door of the Exposition building at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

When the doors opened nearly an hour later, Scott walked into the sprawling, new Exposition building as the first fan to arrive for the 1925 high school boys basketball tournament. He was quickly followed by classmate Edward Bingham. What Scott and Bingham saw that Friday in the hours that followed must have felt like a dream for basketball fans like Harry Colburn of Tech, Helen Zerfas of Kirkland, Earl Johnson of Carmel and James Miller of Brookside.

Thousands of fans trailed Scott and Bingham through the Exposition building doors on Friday — and again on Saturday — traveling by train, streetcar, personal automobile or by foot. It is impossible to know what those fans felt exactly 100 years ago this weekend as they approached the fairgrounds’ building, but no doubt some mixture of anticipation and wonder.

If you wanted to trace the origins of Hoosier Hysteria, you could go back further — to the days of the first state champions from Crawfordsville in 1911, the first high school superstar, Homer Stonebraker of tiny state champion Wingate in 1913 and ’14, or the Franklin “Wonder Five” of three consecutive state titles from 1920-22.

But if you wanted to pinpoint a weekend when Indiana high school basketball became Indiana high school basketball, you could put yourself in Scott’s and Bingham’s shoes around sunrise on March 20, 1925, and imagine what they saw. None other than the inventor of basketball, Dr. James Naismith, was among those who watched the state finals that weekend at the request of Indiana High School Athletic Association commissioner Arthur Trester.

“The possibilities of basketball as seen here,” Naismith would later write of his experience, “were a revelation to me. Basketball may have been invented in Massachusetts, but it was made for Indiana.”

...

Another wonderful article by Mr. Nedderiep.  And only fitting that the only Indiana state basketball tournament finals attended by the inventor of the game was won by Frankfort. 

1. Parke Heritage - 24-6 Last season with a semi-state run. They graduated Dowd, who was in my opinion, very important to their success last year. With that being said, they bring back 3 at least 3 all-conference players in Harper, Luce, Schelsky. Schelsky will get his 1000 point in game one, while Harper will also score his 1000 this season. Luce has an outside chance of scoring 1000 this year as well. They return Crum, who will more than likely score 1000 in his career as well. They are returning at lest 57PPG from last season. I believe Goins, McMullen, & Tidwell will all also be in the rotation. I also heard they have a North Putnam transfer, that is 6-7. They may have "too" many weapons this year if that's possible. I felt the only thing they were missing the last couple of years was a true big, and if the rumors are true, they got it. They will go undefeated in conference, and make another state run. 

2. North Vermillion - 15-11 Last season with a sectional championship. They graduated White, Tryon, & Wesch. I don't believe any of these players were all-conference, but they did combine for about 25PPG out of the 56PPG average. They return 3 starters in Dowers, Edwards, & their all-conference selection in Dawson. These 3 combined for about 30PPG. I'm not entirely sure who they have to fill the next roles, but they did have a 6-6 kid play JV last year. I'd assume he will see rotation minutes. 

3. Covington - 10-14 Last season. They graduated 24PPG and return 31PPG. Stein is their returning all conference selection, and arguably the best shooter in the conference. They return a good defender in Slider and a a big rim & post presence with Herzog. This varsity roster will be pretty senior heavy, so I look for their experience to propel them to some wins. They could very easily be above North Vermillion.

4. South Vermillion - 14-8 Last season. They graduated a few seniors, but a couple extra important all-conference selections in Bush & Shoults. Those 2 will be very hard to replace this year, and the seniors accounted for 35PPG out of their 59PPG. They return a good guard in Wallace @ 11PPG, and a couple other athletic guards. Garzolini will be a key returner for them as well.

5. Riverton Parke - 3-21 Last season. They graduated their best player in Robins, but I think it could be good for the team dynamic this year. They do not add their stats, so I am not sure what the averages were. They were VERY young last year and had a solid JV squad. I look for them to win some games this year after getting some experience under their belts. They will still be below .500 with youth mistakes, but I look for them to be a much tougher opponent than last year. Steward has this group playing very hard. 

6. Seeger - 14-9 Last season. They graduated 40PPG last season out of their 50PPG, and as far as I know they only return 1 starter in Winchester. I live in the Parke County district, so I am not fully aware of what the most northern team in the conference has returning. Collins typically does a really good job, so I look for them to be competitive. My pick here could be completely wrong, and their underclassmen may be really good.

7. Fountain Central - 10-13 Last season. They graduated 43PPG last season, two of those graduates were top 5 players in the conference. They return Foxworthy, who was a 7PPG player last year, and will be their clear best player. I heard they have a good upcoming freshmen class, so I wouldn't be surprised if Dean plays his younger guys to get some experience this year. I think they will be competitive in the 5-8 games, but struggle against the top teams. 

8. Attica - 2-22 Last season. Can Skaggs save the ramblers this year? I doubt it, but I think they will improve from last year. They had some freshmen pieces, but I think they are a couple years out from being more competitive. 

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BLOOMFIELD, Ind. – Long after the fans left the gym on a bitter cold winter night, Michael Hayes was just beginning his custodial duties when I asked him if he could show me the “old” gym at Bloomfield High School.

We walked upstairs and looked around a bit at the photos on the walls outside the old gym — it was dedicated Jan. 6, 1928, when Bloomfield defeated Switz City 45-24 — and Hayes showed me where kids would sit in the balcony with their feet dangling over the court below. The balcony is not there anymore, but the memories are. Team photos of Bloomfield’s two boys basketball regional championship teams under Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame coach Guy Glover, one from 1961 and the other from 1965, hang on opposite ends of the gym.

This, too, is where one of the first girls basketball state powers called home. Melissa and Melinda Miles led those Bloomfield teams to back-to-back state finals appearances, never losing a regular-season game, in the first two years of the girls tournament in 1976 and ’77. They lost to Judi Warren and Warsaw in the state championship in ’76 and to LaTaunya Pollard and East Chicago Roosevelt in the afternoon game of the state finals the next year.

I discuss some of those topics with Hayes, then tell him I’ll let him get back to work. “Work?” Hayes replies. “I don’t like to use that word.” He says he enjoys the time alone working at night, then shouts “Hickory!” down the empty hallway, mimicking the movie “Hoosiers” when the players visit Hinkle Fieldhouse for the first time.

 

Hayes bleeds Bloomfield. He drives the team bus, washes jerseys and runs the scoreboard at home games. A throwback.

That word might describe the setting for Wednesday night’s showdown between visiting and Class A top-ranked Clay City and No. 4 Bloomfield. Fans parked along the streets outside Bloomfield’s Guy Glover gym to see two of the state’s best small-school teams in a makeup of a game pushed back by the snowstorm earlier this month.

......

Great story by Mr. Neddenriep.  I wish I could have attended this one.

With that being said, are there any high schools that need to participate in the City tournament that are not participating in it?

Marion County participates are completely understandable.  My best example would be Shortridge, a historical IPS school that is not in the City tournament.  Shortridge would actually be right in the middle of the current pack this year with their Sagarin rating.  I am aware Shortridge is in a different conference, but doesn't mean they can't participate.

I hope it's not because of culture or prep schools.  Just want to know what happened and if they can come back to Lawrence Central.

Pretty sad for a school with four Indiana high school state basketball championships under it's belt.

https://hoosiergymjourney.weebly.com/owensville.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3FN93MmUTRc86gLKhRx_OarBGOeihGomfYMvFVVwwsZGF2X6WJjcXq_L0_aem__Lif-wJDqqLHUnEeM5XKaQ

Hart inherits a team that lost 5 seniors and placed dead last in the Western Indiana Conference, not winning a single conference game. The team finished 2-22 with wins coming against Riverton Parke and Eminence. The next two teams at the bottom of the conference, South Putnam and Brown County, are set to improve as well. 2nd-year coach Josh Estridge's South Putnam team lost only one senior while Brown County went from 0 wins to 8 wins, so I can see an upwards trajectory there as well. It will be tough sledding for Hart in year one, but his team should be competitive with the bottom half of the WIC, especially with his two freshman twin sons coming in for the Clovers next year.

Any thoughts on Joey Hart going to the Clovers?

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There is a significant rule change coming to high school basketball next season.

The National Federation of State High School Association announced Monday it approved a change to eliminate the one-and-one free throw bonus and set new foul limits each quarter.

Teams will now shoot two free throws for common fouls once reaching the bonus. Previously, teams shot one-and-one the seventh, eighth and nine team fouls (non-shooting) of each half before getting two shots on the 10th foul of the half. Now, the fouls will reset each quarter and a team will reach the bonus once an opponent commits five fouls.

 

Indiana High School Athletic Association sports information director Jason Wille said the IHSAA will adopt the rule change for next season.

"The rules committee studied data that showed higher injury rates on rebounding situations and saw this as an opportunity to reduce opportunities for rough play during rebounds,” said Lindsay Atkinson, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the basketball rules committee in a release from the NFHS. “Additionally, resetting the fouls each quarter will improve game flow and allow teams to adjust their play by not carrying foul totals to quarters two and four.”

...

This is baloney.  The last thing Indiana High School basketball needs is to become more like the NBA game.

Class A

At Michigan City

Liberty Christian (17-9) vs. Marquette Catholic (12-15), 10 a.m.

Elkhart Christian (17-9) vs. Fort Wayne Canterbury (16-9), Noon

Championship, 7:30 p.m.

Class A

At Washington

Greenwood Christian (18-7) vs. Bethesda Christian (21-7), 10 a.m.

Evansville Christian (24-2) vs. Barr-Reeve (24-2), 11:45 a.m.

Championship, 7:30 p.m.

Seven out of the eight schools are p/p's, with only Barr-Reeve representing the government schools.     The takeover is complete, and probably won't be relinquished anytime soon.  

(Note: Story is behind a paywall)

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KOKOMO – Welcome to the show. The Show. Capital letters here are warranted and only one name is necessary.

The name is Flory. Sort of like Drake (or maybe Prince or Elvis, depending on your generation), Flory is the only name needed around Kokomo. His last name is Bidunga, though he was too polite to tell public address announcer Terry Downham and radio voice Chris Lowry last year that is pronounced “Bih-dune-guh” and not “Bih-duhn-gah” all last season.

Maybe that is fitting, though. Last year was about getting acquainted. Bidunga, in his first high school basketball season after coming to Kokomo from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, did not really know what he was doing on the court despite his 6-9, 215-pound frame. And fans at Kokomo’s Memorial Gymnasium were not sure exactly what they were watching.

....

In front of Michigan State coach Tom Izzo and Cincinnati assistant Mike Roberts on Friday, Bidunga finished with 25 points, 15 rebounds and 11 blocked shots for his second consecutive triple-double. In the third quarter alone, he had 12 points, four rebounds and four blocked shots to bring Kokomo from a two-point halftime deficit to a 61-48 lead in front of a raucous crowd.

Kokomo fans know what they are watching now. And Bidunga, at the very least, has a good idea of what he’s doing. The “dunk-o-meter” to track Flory’s dunks in the student section reached seven by the end of the game, though it felt like more.

....

Kokomo loves a winner. Who doesn’t? Peckinpaugh knows what that is like, too, starting on state finalist teams at Muncie Central. Last year, Kokomo fans got a taste of it again when Bidunga caught the attention of the state by leading the Wildkats to the Class 4A semistate before losing to Chesterton, averaging 17.5 points, 13.3 rebounds and 5.3 blocked shots per game.

Around Kokomo, it raised the stakes. And the Wildkats (4-2) have good players around Bidunga, like senior guard Zavion Bellamy (22 points Friday), sophomore Zion Bellamy (12 points) and junior Reis Beard (19 points). There is a reason hopes are high.

....

I hope to get to the 12/20 game against Zionsville to see young Mr. Bidunga in action.    It's at Kokomo's Memorial Gymnasium, one of Indiana true basketball palaces.  That place should be rocking.

I am going to try and predict the WRC again this year. 

Last Years Picks

1. Seeger // 2. FC // 3. SV // 4. PH // 5. Covington // 6. NV // 7. RP // 8. Attica

It went..

1. FC // 2. PH // 3. Seeger // 4. Covington // 5. NV // 6. SV // 7. RP // 8. Attica

1. Parke Heritage -> They return just about their entire team that went 19-10. They had some youth last year, and those guys will only improve with experience. I can see this group making a tourney run in March. They have the best player in the conference returning in Treigh Schelsky. They also have Renn Harper, who would be most other teams #1 option. They have some great shooters surrounding those two guys. The only weakness I see in this group is their lack of size, which the WRC doesn't have a ton of overall, so they will probably dominate. 

2. SV --> I put this group at 3 last year, and they underperformed. They still have a TON of athletes, and a returning all-conference player in Bush. They lost some really close conference games last year. They graduated a couple of role players, but return their core players. This group now has a full year with their coach, so I think they will be more likely to finish those close games.

3. FC --> I was torn on where to put them for this year. They graduated a great leader & possibly the best defender in the conference in Foxworthy. They also graduated Larkin, whom I bet most teams had to put a significant amount of preparation for, as well as a rim protector in the WRC. They won some VERY close games last year in the conference. Harmon came up big for them in a lot of these games. Harmon is probably going to get face guarded completely every game, so the other players like Gayler and Acton are really going to have to step it up this year for them to win. 

4. NV --> NV has been down for a few years, but I think they have a chance to be near the top of the conference this year. They managed to get two unexpected conference wins last year. They only graduated 2 players from last year and they return an all conference player in White. NV has a TON of size. I was very surprised by their size in both levels last year. I expect this to give them an advantage against a few teams in the conference. I am interested to see what their pace of play will be this year. 

5. Covington --> They graduated 3 seniors from last years 12-13 team, and around 20PPG. They still return one of the best shooters in the conference, and a very good guard in Ferguson. They have a very tall sophomore that ended up getting some minutes for them last year. I will be interested to see how he develops. This team is going to rely HEAVILY on Stein and Ferguson's scoring output if they want to be successful. 

6. Seeger --> They return a few of their group from last year, but graduated a 4x all conference player in Snedeker. I have heard rumors that Winchester was not on their roster for the year, but I am not 100% sure. If Winchester is playing for them I will put them above FC, if not they are below in my opinion. This team plays well together as they have been playing about the same group for the last 2 years, but I think it will be a different look without Snedeker and possibly Winchester this year.

7. RP --> They graduated their three best players, one of which was a top 5 player in the conference, and won some games himself last year in Hazzard. I think they only return 1 starter, and the rest will be very new varsity players. They also have a new coach this year, so I expect this to be a complete rebuilding year.

8. Attica --> I think they return most of their team from last year, but lack a star player, and role players.They have struggled the last few years, and I don't think this is the year they flip the switch. 

Linton-  Gone is Coach Hart, and a load of outstanding Seniors.  Joey Hart, Logan Webb, Nathan Frady, and Wrigley Franklin along with Jaxon Walker and Hunter Gennicks graduated.  Hart is at Kentucky, while Webb had a very short stay with Vincennes.  Frady is playing baseball at Taylor.  Franklin is at UIndy for football, while Gennicks just finished his 1st season playing sprint football for the Naval Academy.  Walker chose to just attend Purdue, but he could have played baseball somewhere.  Point is... they lost a lot 2, 3, and 4 year dudes who were big and athletic.  Coach Hart is now off to rival North Daviess to wait for his return after a rough winter.  The wake of Coach Hart being let go falls under the "If you don't have anything nice to say... you should say nothing at all".  Lots of rumors and arguing among current and former players made his exit leave a bad taste in people's mouth. Loyalty to a man or loyalty to the program was a touchy subject.  In the wake of all of this... Braden Walters was the only one to leave.   He will suit up for Terre Haute North this season.  I hope the transfer is good for him.  We will have to wait and see if any younger players find their loyalties lie with a man over the program.

Coach Britton inherits a young team with loads of potential.  Sophomore, Paul Oliver, is the lone returning starter.  He split time with Frady and Franklin last season.  He had some really good games, but he was always the 3rd, 4th, or 5th option.  He will have more opportunities to score this season, but he will also be the focal point for most defenses.  At 6'3" 215 pounds and versatile enough to play inside or out... he could have a huge year. Jackson Miller returns to run the PG position after a solid Freshman campaign.  He played a little varsity when the top 6 guys got in foul trouble, or he could be used to exploit another teams lack of speed.  He has great court awareness and his shooting has improved greatly. Conner Daily will look to bring his JV scoring to the Varsity level as a Sophomore.  Senior, Jamison Fields, will bring his instant offense to a full time varsity spot.  He is not afraid of shooting... and can get crazy hot.  Junior, Hayden Feltner will bring his 6'2" in to contribute.  He had a lot of work against last year's Seniors.  I'm looking forward to his move to Varsity.  He brings some of the things Franklin did, but looks to score.  Cooper Smith will rejoin the basketball world after sitting out his Freshman year.  He will bring athleticism to the floor.  Avery Keen (Sr.), Jacob Breedlove (6'7" Sr.), Michael Auberry (So.), Colin Webster (Jr.), and a host of other new faces will be fighting for Varsity time.  Coach Britton not only has to replace 5 of the top 6, but he will deal with coaching comparisons throughout the year.  An experienced coach who can handle that sort of pressure made Coach Britton a great hire for the Miners.  There is enough talent to win the conference... youth and inexperience is what might prevent them from that goal.  Early games vs. Clay City and Shakamak will be important.  This will likely be when the Miners will be at their most vulnerable.  If they get through those 2 early tests, I would favor them to win the conference.

North Daviess- Gone are 3 of the best to ever suit up for the Cougars.  Jaylen Mullen, Lance Wilson, and Logan Wilson helped lead a strong group of older guys last year.  Most of those guys were Seniors... and like Linton... they didn't dip too deep into the bench.  Bishop, Swartzentruber, Lengacher are all familiar names, but they will all by thrust into major roles this season.

Blommfield-  They also lost a strong Senior group of guys.  Peter Combs is now playing at Taylor, while Brett Sherrard is playing baseball at Butler.  They also lose Hank Skomp and Justin Beard along with Brasey Neil. Skomp was a dfensive guy who made some big shots, while Beard was their instant offense guy.  Back is a host of Seniors along with Blake Neil.  He wasn't crazy athletic as a Freshman, which was exposed against really athletic players, but he has a super high BB IQ and can make shots from outside.  It will be interesting to see if he has grown.  He is listed at 6'4", which is taller than he looked last year... along with added muscle... he could be really hard to handle.  I'm not sure who will fill out the rest of the roster.  Seniors... Quentin Ross and James Royal should be returning along with Kellen Luse.  Ross should be the other main scoring option... he has a game similar to his older brother.  A 6'3"+ wing that can hit open shots.  If Royal takes a page out of his older brothers playbook... this will be his best year.  Owen Medina brings size as a 6'6" sophomore... he will have needed to put on some weight to be effective.  A couple solid guards from the JV should round out the roster.

Shakamak-  This should be the front runner if we are taking into account talent lost vs. talent returning.  Back are Seniors... JT May and Will Miller at the guard spots.  May can score in bunches when he gets going.  A lot of the crazy athletes that locked him up in conference play graduated... he could have a big year.  He needed to add some muscle/speed to take that next step.  Miller has a solid game... he didn't always handle athletic/physical defenders well.  He is probably excited to never see the Linton 1-3-1 again.  He should have a really good senior year.  Linden Jenkins returns as well... he is built like a Defensive Tackle, but has a solid game.  Jaden Johnson likely takes on a larger role on the varsity.  He is a good distributor and has NBA range shooting.  I'll be interested to see if he has that green light from deep... if so it will spread out the defense and help mitigate his lack of side.  The trio of Johnson, May, and Miller could be really potent if they can learn to coexist and play off each other.  A strong freshman class of Hart Buell, Madden Husband, and Jalen Johnson (Jaden's younger brother) may steal some varsity minutes as the season goes.  I worry a young coach won't be able to wrangle this group in and lead them to their full potential.  I could see them winning the conference and even a sectional title... or linger around .500... who knows?

Clay City- I'm not sure who they have returning... early wins against South Putnam and Barr-Reeve gives this team promise.  An early test against Linton this Friday will be an interesting test for both teams.  Last year's team had a few young guys (Sophomores??) that contributed.  Word is they have an athletic big that swatted some big shots to help in the victory over BR.  Friday night's game vs. Linton will clear up some of the confusion.

Eastern-  This may be the 3rd or 4th consecutive year that I have heard that the T-Birds are rebuilding.  Coach Hudson will have them playing hard, but I just don't know how much size or talent they have.  

North Central- This team lost a few Seniors, but they always seem to be a question mark due to transfers from TH South.  They have had some good athletes and even a few good players decide to head to NC rather than hang around at TH South.

White River Valley- Max Hostetter should be able to dominate as one of the tops guards in the SWIAC and even Southern Indiana.  I just don't know how much talent he has around him.  An early loss to North Knox doesn't bode well for this team.  Levi Hostetter takes over as head coach after a long tenure as the top assistant coach through the last few coaches.  The feeder program has been better as of late, but help may be a year or two away.  A local guy that has proven his commitment to the community and the program was a solid hire.  

Wondering how good Caroll and Taylor can be this year(Clinton Prairie as well)? 
Looks like they each lost 3-4 senior starters from last year, will they be able to reload, or will they be down at all from prior year success?

Sheridan had no Seniors last year, so they return all starter's plus 3 quality adds from JV/transfers. They are much taller and more talented and seem to be ready for a jump up the conference standings this year.

Any other teams looking to make a case for a run at a conference title? Would love to hear any predictions or news on interesting transfers/up and comers that will be making a splash around the conference.