WRC Basketball 24-25

[Marshall Mathers]

Were officially a little less than 1 week out from the first practice, so it is time for my annual WRC Pre-Season Rankings in order. 

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. 

[ThePrince]

I don't hate your picks but I also don't love them. He is how the WRC will end this season. Top three teams are competitive and 2-4 are battling for second place.

1. PH - When you have the best player the conference has seen in the last 20 years you're going to win a lot of ball games. They are too athletic for any WRC team to compete with them. If this was football they would have a running clock by halftime every game. STATE CHAMPS!!

2. Covington - I think with what they are returning this year along with the senior class they will be ready to play. I think coach Morgan is doing a great job over there and they will be much improved. Plain and simple they are a basketball school.

3. NV - Losing White and Tryon is going to be big on this team. Those two were athletic enough to guard the opposing teams best player every game. I know they have a decent incoming freshman class and I could see a couple younger kids getting playing time. Can coach Write keep the momentum going and turn that football school into a basketball school?

4. SV - Big fish, little pond. 

5. RP - Will have the athletes to compete with anyone but have never really been able to push over that edge and be dominate in basketball. 

6 - 8 could end in order but I think they are the bottom this year. FC and Seeger lost too much talent last year so they will be young and inexperienced.

6. FC 

7. Seeger 

8. Attica  

[Marshall Mathers]

Mid season update with conference play starting or about to start.

I have seen everyone play, and after looking at my first set of predictions in November, I was close, but not perfect. My 3/4/5 spots are changing a bit.

Original Predictions - PH, NV, Covington, SV, RP, Seeger, FC, Attica

1. Parke Heritage - 11-1.  (69 Offensive Average - 46 Defensive Average) This hasn't changed. They are still the team to beat in the conference, and are a top team in 2A. I think their loss to Linton has humbled them some, and unfortunately for the other teams in the WRC caused them to become even better. They have proven to be prominent in the inside out game with Crum & Pickel, as well as formidable with their guard play with Schelsky & Harper. They seem to only play 6 players most nights, but can get to 8-9 in the rotation. Conference Prediction  (7-0)

2. North Vermillion - 10-3. (66 Offensive Average - 51 Defensive Average) I am keeping them at #2 for the time being. Leonard has proven to be a top freshmen in the state, and potentially making a case for the top player in the conference. They have some good players around him and seem to be scoring some points. My only complaint with them is their only notable wins are potentially North Central & Shakamak (42-67 for teams that they have beaten.) Their 3 losses are to teams with a combined 28-6 record. This is the best NV team since their 18/19 team though. Conference Prediction (6-1) 

3. South Vermillion - 5-7. (59 Offensive Average - 63 Defensive Average) I am moving them up a spot. This group has a lot of potential. They can score points VERY quickly from a few different areas. Their offense revolves around Wallace, and he is at his best when he is balanced in his shooting and passing attack. Their guard play around him is quick and athletic. Their 5-7 record doesn't do them justice with losses to combined 67-18 record teams. They just had a shootout to Seeger in a 74-72 win. This team will be formidable in conference play. Conference Prediction (5-2) 

4. Seeger - 5-5. (58 Offensive Average - 54 Defensive Average) They have caught me by surprise. Living in Parke County I don't get to see much Seeger, so I will take the incorrect prediction putting them at 6 initially. Their sophomore class has been very impressive this year. No true standouts, but they play team basketball. Their losses are to a combined 31-21 record, with a couple of those games within a few points. They beat Covington in the Bi-County tournament by 1pt and loss to South Vermillion by 2.  Conference Prediction (4-3) 

5. Covington - 5-8. (51 Offensive Average - 50 Defensive Average) The Trojans are having an interesting season. They are +1 in the margin of scoring and are 5-8. They have lost 4 games by 5 points or less, with one of those coming from a 2-9 Faith Christian team. If this group plays consistent that are a top 3 team, but they can't seem to put the ball in the hoop when it matters in close games. I still think with conference play starting that they can beat everyone but PH. They rely on Stein tremendously for offensive production, and he has been in a bit of a slump. If he is playing well, they are tough to beat. Conference Prediction (3-4) 

6. Riverton Parke - 6-5. (56 Offensive Average - 51 Defensive Average) Their 6-5 record is similar to NV's 10-3 as they haven't beaten anyone good yet (23-47 record for teams they have beaten.) They are still much improved from last year, and have a solid sophomore class like Seeger. They have a bunch of guys that can score on any given night, but are getting great play out of Hopkins. I think they only have 2-3 more wins left this year, but are likely to give the top teams an early battle. Conference Prediction (2-5)

7. Fountain Central - 3-6 (38 Offensive Average - 38 Defensive Average) They are really struggling to score the basketball, and rely heavily on Foxworthy's production to score/win games. Most teams have figured this out and are not letting him catch it. Their wins are against a combined 3-26 teams. They have already beaten Attica once, and I expect them to do it again in conference play. Conference Prediction (1-6)

8. Attica - 1-6. (39 Offensive Average - 56 Defensive Average) They are much improved from last year. I'd assume a hall of fame coach in Pat Skaggs has helped that out, but they just don't have the guys to win games yet. Conference Prediction (0-7)

[Marshall Mathers]

After now watching every conference team play at least once, and some a few times.. I wanted to give my guesses on all-conference players this year. Most teams still have 1-2 games left in conference play, but this is purely from a fan perspective, not seeing every single game, or even conference vs. conference games. I do believe there are 12 total athletes that get voted in each year, so I will put the 12 I think will get it. 

 

Parke Heritage -

1. Treigh Schelsky

2. Carter Crum

3. Renn Harper

4. Brayden Luce

 

North Vermillion - 

1. Teagan Leonard

2. Owen Edwards

 

South Vermillion - 

1. Aden Wallace

2. Dominick Garzolini

 

Covington - 

1. Austin Stein

 

Riverton Parke - 

1. Jonah Hopkins

 

Seeger - 

1. Jack Cole

 

Fountain Central - 

1. Luke Foxworthy

 

Attica - 

I don't think anyone gets all-conference here