IHSAA boys basketball: Previewing South Bend-area teams heading into 2022-23 season

Justin Frommer, South Bend Tribune
·8 min read
Players exit the court following Marian's loss to Beech Grove in the 3A boys basketball state championship game on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Players exit the court following Marian's loss to Beech Grove in the 3A boys basketball state championship game on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

For the second straight year, a heartbreaking loss fueled Mishawaka Marian's offseason.

A sectional final loss to rival South Bend Saint Joseph in 2020 motivated the second-ranked Knights' run last winter to the Class 3A state championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Their chance to bring home the program's first state title was thwarted by unranked Beech Grove, 53-43.

That loss has been on the minds of Marian's players ever since.

More:Top area Indiana high school boys basketball players to watch this season

As this year's boys basketball season begins for teams across the South Bend area, the Knights hope that heartbreak helps complete their journey.

"It has made us hungrier," said Robb Berger, entering his 16th overall season as head coach of the Knights. "We return quite a few guys. We know it is a long season, long process and I think they are looking forward to get started and finishing what we didn't last year."

More:Like father like son: Bob and Robb Berger enjoy Mishawaka Marian's tourney run together

Marian — 1-0 after this week's opening win at Goshen — will once again be one of the top teams in a loaded Northern Indiana Conference. The Knights return three starters from last year, including four-year starting point guard, Deaglan Sullivan, Dar'e'on Thornton and Zion Rhoades. Senior sharpshooter Jackson Price transitions into Berger's starting lineup after coming off of the bench last year.

That nucleus is the group Berger expects to lead Marian.

Marian's Deaglan Sullivan (1) drives downcourt next to Beech Grove's Adrian Holland (3) during the 3A boys basketball state championship game on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Marian's Deaglan Sullivan (1) drives downcourt next to Beech Grove's Adrian Holland (3) during the 3A boys basketball state championship game on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

"They have all gotten better," he said. "It is something they want to accomplish. We will only go as far as our seniors and those guys will be big factors in getting us to the next step.

"Our sectional is one of the toughest in the state," Berger continued. "Getting out of the sectional is going to be a challenge in itself and our conference is unbelievable."

Along with Marian, Al Rhodes' Penn squad could make a run at Indianapolis, too. Markus Burton, a Notre Dame signee, is the Kingsmen's headline player, and is joined by four other starters from a year ago, including Joe Smith, Joey Garwood and Josh Gatete.

South Bend Washington could also make some noise with the scoring threat of Marcus Northern while South Bend Adams will be out to prove that last year's sectional title wasn't a fluke.

Here is a glance at local South Bend boys basketball teams heading into this season:

Elkhart Lions

  • Coach: Kyle Sears (third season)

  • Last year: 6-17, lost in sectional

  • Top Returners: Damarion Anderson (8.1 PPG) Jacob Windy (6.7 PPG)

  • Losses: Cam'Ron Daniels (11.6 PPG), Erick Nocentelli (11.3 PPG)

  • Newcomers: Tumarye Morris, Tyson Rodgers, Braeden Becker

  • Coach Sears says: "We are coming off of a down year, so we are looking to play hard every night, constantly improve and build on what we did in the offseason to make sure we are ready to go."

South Bend Riley Wildcats

Riley's Marvin Schindler (10) reacts after a three point basket in the first half against Adams Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at Plymouth High School.
Riley's Marvin Schindler (10) reacts after a three point basket in the first half against Adams Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at Plymouth High School.

  • Coach: Alex Daniel (third season)

  • Last year: 11-12, lost in sectional

  • Top Returners: Marvin Schindler (10.3 PPG), Jaylen Barbara (6.3 PPG)

  • Losses: Isaiah Robinson (14.4 PPG), Damarion Spann (8.3 PPG)

  • Newcomers: Manny Hill

  • Coach Daniel says: "We were a really young team last year. We are looking to take that next step. We feel like we got a good group and are still trying to figure out how we will play, but hopefully we will take a step forward."

John Glenn Falcons

John Glenn's Brycen Hannah (14) drives against Washington's Jawan Agnew (2) during the John Glenn vs. Washington boys sectional basketball game Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at Marian High School.
John Glenn's Brycen Hannah (14) drives against Washington's Jawan Agnew (2) during the John Glenn vs. Washington boys sectional basketball game Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at Marian High School.

  • Coach: Travis Hannah (16th season)

  • Last year: 24-2, lost in sectional to Marian

  • Top Returners: Brycen Hannah (17 PPG), Noah Dreibelbeis (6.9 PPG)

  • Losses: Silas Kaser (12.5 PPG), Joe Delinski (8.9 PPG), Jack Porter (7.9 PPG)

  • Newcomers: Ty Larkin, Chase Miller

  • Coach Hannah says: "Coming off a 24-2 season a lot of people think we won't be as good this year. I don't know if we will win as many games, but I like this group. We got the key components, just like we did last year."

Bremen Lions

  • Coach: Matt Miller (third season)

  • Last year: 12-11, lost in sectional

  • Top Returners: Baylor Orcutt (3.5 PPG)

  • Losses: Carson Miller (19.5 PPG), Tony Hardin (12.7 PPG)

  • Coach Miller says: "We like the group that we have. They put in a lot of effort. It is just going to be a new slate of challenges and characters that we are going to war with this year."

South Bend Saint Joseph

Saint Joseph's Chase Konieczny shoots over Penn's Joe Smith during the Penn vs. Saint Joseph boys basketball game Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 at Saint Joseph High School.
Saint Joseph's Chase Konieczny shoots over Penn's Joe Smith during the Penn vs. Saint Joseph boys basketball game Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 at Saint Joseph High School.

  • Coach: Eric Gaff (second season)

  • Last year: 12-11, lost in sectional

  • Top Returners: Chase Konieczny (15.3 PPG), Jayce Lee (8.3 PPG)

  • Losses: Cole Hatkevich (15.9 PPG), Jack O'Dell (8.0 PPG), Julian Kamanda (6.8 PPG)

  • Newcomers: Braylen White

  • Coach Gaff says: "If you don't go into the season expecting and competing to win, you're in the wrong business. Our boys and coaching staff are on the same page. We are here to win and be a pain in everyone's sides."

South Bend Adams Eagles

Adams head coach Chad Johnston during the Adams vs. New Prairie boys basketball game Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 at Adams High School.
Adams head coach Chad Johnston during the Adams vs. New Prairie boys basketball game Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 at Adams High School.

  • Coach: Chad Johnston (sixth season)

  • Last year: 14-13, lost in regional semifinal

  • Top Returners: Brittain Vann (13.1 PPG), Jeremiah Love (7.3 PPG)

  • Losses: Tommy Snyder (21.8 PPG), Rashad Simpson (7.9 PPG), Gion Parks (7.7 PPG)

  • Newcomers: Luke Rombkowski

  • Coach Johnston says: "It's going to be a process of each day getting better and seeing where we are in January and February and then seeing where we are in the sectional. I'm excited to see how this team grows"

Penn Kingsmen

Penn's Joey Garwood (1) and Markus Burton (3) celebrate during the Penn vs. Munster boys regional semifinal basketball game Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Michigan City High School.
Penn's Joey Garwood (1) and Markus Burton (3) celebrate during the Penn vs. Munster boys regional semifinal basketball game Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Michigan City High School.

  • Coach: Al Rhodes (15th season)

  • Last year: 24-3, lost in regional final

  • Top Returners: Markus Burton (26.9 PPG), Joe Smith (12.7 PPG), Joey Garwood (9.2 PPG)

  • Losses: Cole Wojciechowski (4.9 PPG)

  • Newcomers: Alex Hawthorne, Nolan McCullough, Mookie Ward

  • Coach Rhodes says: "I think eventually we can become a very good team. My biggest concern so far has been our rebounding."

New Prairie Cougars

New Prairie head coach Mike Bauer during the Adams vs. New Prairie boys basketball game Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 at Adams High School.
New Prairie head coach Mike Bauer during the Adams vs. New Prairie boys basketball game Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 at Adams High School.

  • Coach: Mike Bauer (fourth season)

  • Last year: 6-18, lost in sectional

  • Top Returners: Gavin Gonzalez (4.0 PPG)

  • Losses: Grady Lapczynski (13.8 PPG), Adin Newman (9.8 PPG), Cade Skornog (7.1 PPG)

  • Newcomers: Colton Griffiths, Jaydon Clemens

  • Coach Bauer says: "We are trying to improve every day. We had some struggles last year, but we have had a pretty good offseason and the guys have improved to be more competitive every night."

Mishawaka Marian Knights

Marian's Zion Rhoades (4) looks for a shot with pressure from Beech Grove's Cam Brown (5) and Jaleel Edwards (10) during the 3A boys basketball state championship game on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Marian's Zion Rhoades (4) looks for a shot with pressure from Beech Grove's Cam Brown (5) and Jaleel Edwards (10) during the 3A boys basketball state championship game on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

  • Coach: Robb Berger (16th season)

  • Last year's record: 24-4, lost in 3A state championship game

  • Top Returners: Deaglan Sullivan (17.0 PPG), Zion Rhoades (6.7 PPG), Jackson Price (6.0 PPG)

  • Biggest Losses: Richard Brooks (16.0 PPG)

  • Newcomers: Deuce Owens

  • Coach Berger says: 'Our expectations are always the same. We play one of the toughest schedules in the state to get us ready for the tournament. Our goal every year is to win the conference and sectional and after that, just take every step as they come."

Jimtown Jimmies

  • Coach: Matt Stoll (third season)

  • Last year: 7-16, lost in sectional

  • Top Returners: Bishop Williams (7.6 PPG), Taysire Williams (7.6 PPG)

  • Losses: Beau Barhams (12.0 PPG), Braxton Rice (8.0 PPG)

  • Newcomers: Dalton Cook, Will Spurgeon

  • Coach Stoll says: "Excited for this group of talented young athletes. We have put in the work both on and off the court. We plan to use our length to our advantage along with our athleticism. We look for continued growth as the season progresses."

South Bend Washington Panthers

Washington's Marcus Northern (4) shoots during the Penn vs. Washington boys basketball game Friday, Feb. 11, 2022 at Washington High School.
Washington's Marcus Northern (4) shoots during the Penn vs. Washington boys basketball game Friday, Feb. 11, 2022 at Washington High School.

  • Coach: Ryan Varga (sixth season)

  • Last Year: 15-10, lost in sectional

  • Top Returners: Marcus Northern (15.4 PPG), Terrence Reid (9.2 PPG)

  • Losses: Tyler Davis (12.7 PPG), Jawan Agnew (9.8 PPG)

  • Newcomers: Steven Reynolds, Erick Nocentelli

  • Coach Varga says: "We have a lot returning so the stuff we had to figure out and learn throughout last season shouldn't be a problem this year. Our expectation is to beat all the city schools and finish in the top-two of the conference and be playing our best basketball win the tournament hits."

South Bend Clay Colonials

Clay's Ameer Harris (4) during the Marian vs. Clay boys sectional semifinal game Friday, March 4, 2022 at Marian High School.
Clay's Ameer Harris (4) during the Marian vs. Clay boys sectional semifinal game Friday, March 4, 2022 at Marian High School.

  • Coach: Doug Barnbrook (fifth season)

  • Last year: 8-16, lost in sectional

  • Top Returners: Ameer Harris (14.9 PPG), Miguel Henry (13.8 PPG), Brad Hicks (8.1 PPG)

  • Losses: Amari Williams (6.8 PPG), Jahawn Horton (6.7 PPG)

  • Newcomers: Tyrese Jones, Kayden Newhouse

  • Coach Barnbrook says: "We have quite a few returners coming back so we will look to improve on our season from last year and will be led by Ameer Harris."

Mishawaka Cavemen

Mishawaka's Arthur Jones (21) drives to the basket as Michigan City's Kanye Roberson (4) defends in the second half Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at Plymouth High School.
Mishawaka's Arthur Jones (21) drives to the basket as Michigan City's Kanye Roberson (4) defends in the second half Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at Plymouth High School.

  • Coach: Bodie Bender (first season)

  • Last year's record: 13-10, lost in sectional

  • Top Returners: Arthur Jones (14.3 PPG), Tommy Harringer (7.3 PPG), Brendan Williams (7.0 PPG)

  • Biggest Losses: Mookie Ward (4.3 PPG)

  • Newcomers: Jack Troyer, Anthony Nelson, Montrell Northern

  • Coach Bender says: "We got a lot of pieces and guys that can play and I think every night it could be a different contributor, whether they start or come off of the bench."

LaVille Lancers

  • Coach: Michael Edison (15th season)

  • Last year: 4-18, lost in sectional

  • Top Returners: Colin Czarnecki (14.4 PPG), Lucas Plummer (9.7 PPG), Owen Smith (7.1 PPG)

  • Losses: None

  • Newcomers: Noah Rush

  • Coach Edison says: "We want to be competitive with the teams we play, be well prepared and focused so we can make things close and surprise a few teams."

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Indiana high school boys basketball preview: What to watch in NIC, NLC