East Central Indiana high school boys basketball 2022-23 team capsules
MUNCIE, Ind. — The IHSAA boys basketball season officially begins Monday.
East Central Indiana had three sectional champions — Yorktown, Monroe Central and Blue River — last year, and several teams should again compete for postseason glory in 2022-23.
Here are the latest roster changes and coach comments for each area team:
Related:East Central Indiana high school girls basketball 2022-23 team capsules
Blackford Bruins (Class 2A)
Coach: Matt Justin (8-15, second year with school)
2021-22 season: 8-15, 3-4 in CIC (lost in sectional first round)
Top returning players: Sr. Dawson Hundley (G), Jr. Ethan Morris (G), So. Gage Baker (G/F), Jr. Vince Oxley (F)
Key additions: Sr. Carson Smith, Fr. Mason Kitterman
Key departures: Mickey Waters, Scott Winger, Jerrid Kershner, Eric Huffman
Coach's comment: "We are excited to get the season going and seeing what type of improvements we have made as we head into Year 2. I think the kids have a better understanding of the expectations, and we had several guys get a ton of reps (and) experience last year. If we compete around the basket for rebounds, we will be very competitive in majority of our games this year. We want to compete for conference and sectional championships."
First game: At home against Southwood at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22.
Related:20 East Central Indiana girls basketball players to watch in 2022-23
Blue River Vikings (Class 1A)
Coach: Brian Klein (209-167, 17th year with school)
2021-22 season: 15-11, 3-7 in MEC (sectional champions, lost in regional semifinals)
Top returning players: Sr. Wyatt Thornburgh (G), Jr. Ethan Blackburn (G), Sr. Brian Walradth (G), Sr. Layke Leonard (C), Jr. Connor Swoveland (G)
Key additions: Clinton Turley, Zach McCabe, Aiden Howard Landan Gibson
Key departures: Brevin Hallatt
Coach's comment: "We have to defend and rebound in order to become a championship team."
First game: At New Castle at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22.
Cowan Blackhawks (Class 1A)
Coach: Aaron Groves (20-25, third year with school)
2021-22 season: 5-16, 1-8 in MEC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: Jr. Bradley Terrell (G), Jr. Cole Duncan (F), Jr. Mason Kidd (G), Sr. Blaine Marlatt (F), Jr. Griffin Smith (G), Sr. Victor Garrett (F)
Key additions: Jr. Timmy Watson (G), Jr. Jayden Terry (F), Jr. Clark Trimble (G), Sr. Logan Walker (F)
Key departures: Michael Hargrave, Andrew Harsh
Coach's comment: “We return most of our guys and have some quality game experience, which certainly helps. Now we just need to go compete each night, play smart, and execute. That is easier said than done during a long basketball season. No doubt the opponents we play will give us a challenge, but we feel like we can have a successful season. You always want to be playing your best come tournament time.”
First game: At Sheridan at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22.
Daleville Broncos (Class 1A)
Coach: Ashley Fouch (14-10, second year with school)
2021-22 season: 14-10, 5-4 in MEC (lost in sectional championship)
Top returning players: Sr. Dylan Scott (G), Jr. Meryck Adams (F)
Key additions: Sr. Carson Buck (F), Sr. Dylan Romine (G), So. Noah Colvin (PG), Jr. Logan Leech (PF)
Key departures: Camden Leisure, Trevion Johnson
Coach's comment: "Losing five seniors, two of which were four-year varsity players, has presented what some may view as challenges for this year’s team. However, we see it as opportunities for young men that have been putting in a lot of work to prepare for bigger roles. We still have players that can put it in the basket, and we have a deeper roster filled with players that really want to guard and that are ready to take pride in being hard to score on. Word on the street may be that Daleville lost a lot of talent, and that isn’t untrue. However, we don’t have any lower expectations. In fact, we expect us to play with a little more toughness and a lot more grit. The excitement remains for this upcoming Daleville team."
First game: At Shenandoah at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23.
Delta Eagles (Class 3A)
Coach: Mark Detweiler (94-29, sixth year with school)
2021-22 season: 12-12, 2-5 in HHC (Delaware County champions, lost in sectional first round)
Top returning players: Jr. Jackson Wors (F), Jr. D'Amare Hood (F), Jr. Jayden Furney (G), Jr. Jonny Manor (G), Sr. Blake Jones (G), Jr. Caleb Jones (F), Jr. Kaiden Bond (G)
Key additions: Sr. Caleb Elliott (F), Sr. Palmer Samuels (C), Sr. Abram Stitt (F), Sr. Dylan Manor (C)
Key departures: Neil Marshall, Clay Bragg
Coach's comment: "Our six juniors all played significant minutes last year. Coupled with our five seniors that bring toughness and maturity, that gives us a more physically and mentally mature group this season. This may be our most athletic team we have had in my six seasons. Quickness, length and rebounding should be a strength. We feel like this can become a very good defensive team. Depth will be a strength."
First game: At home against Connersville at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26.
Jay County Patriots (Class 3A)
Coach: Jerry Bomholt (87-53, seventh year with school)
2021-22 season: 21-5, 9-0 in ACAC (lost in sectional championship)
Top returning players: Sr. Dusty Pearson (F), Sr. Josh Dowlen (G), Sr. Blake Bogenschutz (G), Sr. Bennett Weitzel (F)
Key additions: Sr. Carter Link, Jr. Abraham Dirksen, Jr. Wes Bihn, Sr. Brady Davis
Key departures: Ethan Dirksen, Gavin Muhlenkamp
Coach's comment: "We are cautiously optimistic."
First game: At Fort Wayne Luers at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22.
Monroe Central Golden Bears (Class 2A)
Coach: Jim Melton (0-0, first year with school)
2021-22 season: 25-1, 10-0 in MEC (sectional champions, lost in regional championship)
Top returning players: Sr. Cole Munchel (C), Sr. Blake Bogue (G)
Key additions: Sr. Alden Mahaffey (F), Sr. Trystyn Thornburg (G), Jr. Hayden Taylor (G), Jr. Josiah Cleveland, So. Easton Foster (F)
Key departures: Josiah Ullom, Jackson Ullom, Gavin Smithson-Burciaga, Luke Jones
Coach's comment: "The expectation is to come in and work hard every day. Our goal is to be better than we were yesterday. We intend to carry on the tradition of excellence that has been laid out before us and cultivate our own legacy."
First game: At home against Winchester at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22.
Muncie Burris Owls (Class 2A)
Coach: John Donahue (7-3, second year with school)
2021-22 season: 9-13, 1-3 in PAAC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: Sr. Colin McBride (G), Sr. Bryce Carnes (G), Sr. Conner Mckibben (F), Sr. Carter Fischer (F)
Key additions: Jr. Asher Donahue, Jr. Timo Minnich
Key departures: Adam Combs
Coach's comment: "We are looking to build off of last year."
First game: At Frankton at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29.
Muncie Central Bearcats (Class 4A)
Coach: Justin Ullom (0-0, first year with school)
2021-22 season: 4-19, 2-7 in NCC (lost in sectional first round)
Top returning players: Sr. Daniel Harris (SG), Sr. Josiah Ullom (PG), Sr. Antonio Gore (F), Sr. Princeton Young (SG), Jr. Brady McNabb (PG)
Key additions: Sr. Isaiah Serf (F), Jr. De'Markis Cole (SG)
Key departures: Malik Hasani, Tim Arnold
Coach's comment: "It will take us some time to get going and understand each other on offense but we expect to defend and rebound from day one. The seniors have done nothing but come in and work extremely hard and try to do what we are asking them to do. This is a very coachable group and I expect us to improve each week."
First game: At Wapahani at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22.
New Castle Trojans (Class 3A)
Coach: Daniel Cox (128-88, 10th year with school)
2021-22 season: 17-5, 5-2 in HHC (lost in sectional first round)
Top returning players: Sr. Gavin Welch (F), Sr. Ethan Hinton (G), Jr. Colin Taylor (G)
Key additions: Sr. Quentin Boatright, Sr. Cole Johnson, Jr. Tyson Lewis, Jr. Clay Butler, Jr. Caden Blackford, Jr. Isaac Madden, So. Landon Thompson
Key departures: Dawson Scott, Sam Maddy, Trey Miller, Caleb Grow
Coach's comment: "We are excited about the potential of this team. We return a strong core of varsity players from last year's 17-win season. I believe this team will continue to develop as the season continues to progress. Our goal is to get stronger throughout the season to the point where we are playing our best basketball come tournament time. We fell short last season of our team goals and I believe that has been in the back of our guys' minds during the offseason. We are eager to get started and see what this team can accomplish together."
First game: At home against Blue River at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22.
Shenandoah Raiders (Class 2A)
Coach: Rick Ellsworth (0-0, first year with school)
2021-22 season: 12-11, 6-4 in MEC (lost in sectional first round)
Top returning players: Sr. Carson Brookbank (F), Jr. Haygen Tomlinson (G/F), Jr. AJ Demick (G)
Key additions: Jr. Coy Price (G), So. Cannon Case (F), Fr. Zane Mitchell (G), Fr. Jonny Howard (G), Fr. Jarrett Helman (G/F)
Key departures: Jasper Campbell, Jack Stevens, Lucas Mills, Jordan Zody
Coach's comment: "I expect our guys to play hard defensively and play physical. It sounds cliché, but offensively, we need to take care of the ball and make shots. We do have depth, but it’s not as experienced as we’ve been in the past, but these guys know what Shenandoah basketball is about."
First game: At home against Daleville at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23.
Union Rockets (Class 1A)
Coach: Dan Carmony (25-143, ninth year with school)
2021-22 season: 3-18, 0-9 in MEC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: Sr. Ryan Lindsay (C), Sr. Danny Burris (G), Sr. Gage Rice (G), Sr. Austin Abbott (C/F), Jr. Gabe Brooks (G)
Key additions: Fr. Dawson Ogden (F), So. Ethan Perry (G), Owen Parker (F)
Key departures: Braydon Adams
Coach's comment: "We will look to improve all season. We will count on Danny and Ryan for scoring and leadership. We'll need contributions from everyone."
First game: At home against Randolph Southern at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22.
Wapahani Raiders (Class 2A)
Coach: Matt Luce (258-92, 16th year with school)
2021-22 season: 19-5, 8-1 in MEC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: Sr. Aidan Franks (G), Jr. Isaac Andrews (G), So. Nate Luce (G), Sr. Nathan Nelson (F), Sr. Joe Foster (F), Jr. Nicholas Cook (F)
Key additions: Fr. Camden Bell (G), Sr. Daxton Dudley (F), Jr. Mason Barton (F)
Key departures: Drayden Gates
Coach's comment: "Wapahani returns its entire group from a 19-win team without graduated senior Drayden Gates. We have a great group of committed student-athletes that care about our team and its overall success. Our coaching staff just likes to be around them. Our goals are to do things right, have fun, be leaders in our community and win. We are proud of our basketball program and believe this will be another fun year in Raider Country."
First game: At home against Muncie Central at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22.
Wes-Del Warriors (Class 2A)
Coach: John McGlothin (99-103, 10th year with school)
2021-22 season: 11-11, 2-7 in MEC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: Sr. Cade Pretorius (G), Jr. Trey Adams (G), So. Josiah Love (G), Sr. Travis Bunch (F)
Key additions: Jr. Jack Rooker (F), Jr. Jacob Grant (G), Jr. Corben Price (F)
Key departures: Evan Whitesell, Zack Todd
Coach's comment: "This is a really young group with limited varsity experience, so we will be learning as we go ... They have been working really hard and are very coachable so far, so I expect to see improvement and growth as the season progresses. We have some good young players that will have to grow up quickly."
First game: At Cambridge City Lincoln at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23.
Winchester Golden Falcons (Class 2A)
Coach: Dustin Baldwin (64-50, sixth year with school)
2021-22 season: 13-9, 7-1 in TEC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: Sr. Jamison Beshears (G), Jr. Adam Moore (F), Sr. Mason Barker (F), Sr. Drew Loyd (G), Sr. Kamden Preston (G)
Key additions: Jr. Gradyn Moyer (G), So. Carter Fraze (G), Sr. Charlie Sauser (G)
Key departures: Brooks Burelison, Gage Patterson
Coach's comment: "We return a lot of experience from last years team that has our expectations high for the 2022-23 season. Our goal for the season is to improve every day and put ourselves in the best position to compete every time we step on the court."
First game: At Monroe Central at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22.
Yorktown Tigers (Class 3A)
Coach: Matt Moulton (35-36, fourth year with school)
2021-22 season: 10-15, 2-5 in HHC (sectional champions, lost in regional semifinals)
Top returning players: Sr. AJ Dunn (G), Jr. Kieran Tewari (G), Jr. Jacob Grim (G), Jr. Mason Moulton (F), Jr. Xayden Douglass (F), Sr. Peyton Fields (G)
Key additions: Jr. Jerron Kimm-Taylor (F), Sr. Jackson Furnish (F), Sr. Garret Thurman (F), Jr. Anson Isaacs, Jr. Tyler Aul
Key departures: Carter Loveless, Anthony Kates, Jason Williams, Adam Morrow
Coach's comment: "We want to play at a very high level this season. We have very high expectations. However, (how) many wins that translates to remains to be seen with the rigor of our schedule, but there is no room for excuses. The expectation is to be competing for championships."
First game: At Alexandria at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29.
Gus Martin is a sports reporter at The Star Press. Follow him on Twitter @GusMartin_SP, and contact him at gmartin@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: IHSAA boys basketball: East Central Indiana 2022-23 team capsules
