(by Don Meador, Allen County Schools, November 25, 2019)
The Allen County-Scottsville Patriot basketball program will look to build upon the successes of last year. The 2018-19 campaign not only saw the Patriots post a 23-9 record---the team’s first winning record since 2010 and the fourth most wins in AC-S history---but also revive a tradition-rich program which had struggled over the last several years.
“We did have a great year last year,” second year coach Brad Bonds said, noting that’s it’s time to look ahead with greater goals this season. “One thing we have discussed this year is not placing so much emphasis on just getting to the regional tournament but being a factor in the tournament and competing for a championship. I do feel that the returning players have a sense of positive pride about being able to play at Diddle Arena and understanding what that atmosphere is like now. They have a hunger of trying to get back and doing greater things once there.”
AC-S will
plunge into the new season looking to fill gaps created by the graduation of
seniors Brett Rippy, Bryce Carter, Chase Ward, Cayden Ross, and Camden
Carver.
“Yes, we lost some very key players, whether it was in scoring, defending, or being that big time leader,” Bonds explained. “But we have a great group of young men that are willing and very capable of stepping in any role that we ask them to. I like the potential that this team brings as we have multiple players that could have a big scoring night. The attitude and focus has been great so far in preseason so hopefully, we are putting in place the pieces needed to be successful.”
Bonds will have several players capable of bringing solid offense and defensive play to the table. Included in the mix this year will be senior Charlie Calvert (6’3” guard/forward), a player who missed his junior year to a knee and leg injury suffered in the late summer of 2018.
“We envision Charlie (Calvert) being a key cog in our motor,” Bonds explained. “He came on the scene pretty strong late in his sophomore year and the summer before his junior year. He possesses the ability to score, defend and rebound. We have to be patient with Charlie as he lost an entire year of basketball due to the extreme nature of his injury. He understands the game and he learned a lot last year just watching. We know that he is going to pour all his efforts and energy into having the best season possible for his team.”
Senior Owen Stamper (6’3”guard/forward) is also expected to contribute in multiple ways. Stamper is coming off a junior year in which he averaged 9.5 points and 6.4 rebounds.
“Owen was a big time player for us last year and we look for that to continue,” Bonds said. “Owen added a dimension to his game in perimeter scoring last year and shot the ball well early for us. His offensive statistics faded some late but his leadership on and off the court brings a lot to the table for this team. He has a willingness to do all those intangibles that often get overlooked (taking charges, making that extra pass, encouraging that struggling teammate) in order for our team to be successful. We feel that both Owen and Charlie are going to be big parts of our success this year. We just have to find a way for them to be healthy all year.”
AC-S will have a third senior on
the roster this year, a newcomer to the program.
“Caleb Akin transferred to us when Victory Christian Academy closed,” Bonds explained. “Caleb will give us a big body inside (6'7) that offers length and rebounding. He is still in the learning phase about what our program is about and we are still learning what pieces he can bring to the table. Caleb is a good natured kid that has welcomed the change and is working hard and getting better.”
A strong and talented junior class gained valuable experience last season and Bonds is expecting that experience to be a big key in how far this team can go in 2020. Seven juniors are on the roster---Mason Shirley (6’1” guard), Jax Cooper (6’3” guard/forward), Trace McIntyre (6’0” guard), Jake Bow (5’8” guard), Tyler Ford (6’2” forward), Michael Smith (6’2” forward), and Kayden Whitney 6’3” center).
“The juniors are a big part to our program,” Bonds said. “There are several guys that we think could play big dividends for us to keep the motor running.”
Last season saw the emergence
of Shirley as both a scorer and ball handler. Shirley averaged 14.8 points per
game, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game.
“Mason has worked really hard this summer fine tuning his scoring off the dribble and in the perimeter game,” Bonds pointed out. “He had some games last year where he shot the ball really well, but there are those tough games that he still remembers from late last year where he struggled. A focus for him is to be able to overcome adversity quicker and be one of those players that can deliver that much-needed basket when asked to do so. Mason puts a lot of pressure on himself and sometimes wears those emotions on his sleeves for all to see. That is another thing that we have worked on this preseason---just trying to channel the emotions and play. I can honestly say that there is no one that hates to lose any more than Mason and it hurts him hard when we do. That is the type of kid I will go to war with any day.”
Expected to
be in the mix for much court time this year will be Cooper. In 31 games last
year, Cooper scored 8.8 points and grabbed 3.9 rebounds.
“We are looking for Jax to take his game to another level this year,” Bonds stated. “He had a great summer and we know that his ability to be able to score multiple ways will only be a positive for us. Jax also adds an element of defense for us. He has gotten a lot stronger and we feel that he will be able to sit down and guard some of the region's best players. Jax is a complete dynamic player that we can use as a point guard to a mismatch option in the post.”
Bonds will turn to McIntyre and ask him to fulfil a role that is a characteristic of Bonds’ teams---the role of defensive stopper.
“Trace is strong, athletic, quick, and his willingness to be team oriented first will help us utilize him as one of our defensive stoppers,” Bonds explained. “Trace also is a good rebounder for his size as he jumps well and can finish around the rim. He shot the ball pretty decent this summer and hopefully he will continue to work on his scoring and ball handling in order to give us some added ball handling depth.”
Bow saw
limited action in varsity play last season but worked hard in JV ball toning
his skills. The hard work is expected to pay dividends this year.
“Jake brings another ball handling option to the team and someone that isn't afraid to get up in your defensively,” Bonds said. “One thing I really like about Jake is his ‘team first’ attitude. He doesn't care who scores, who gets the accolades, he just cares about winning and putting his team in position to do so.”
Like Bow,
Ford polished his skills at the JV level and will be looked to this year to bring
his scoring ability to the varsity.
“Tyler has the ability to score,” Bonds noted. “He shoots it really well. He had a couple of 30-plus games last year at the JV level. Tyler has worked hard the preseason trying to get better defensively as he has length that we can use on the boards. Tyler is starting to put some pieces together and we look forward to what he can offer us this year.”
Smith will be
asked to step onto the floor and contribute offensively and defensively. Last
season, Smith appeared in 31 games and chipped in 1.9 points and 1.5 rebounds---numbers
that are expected to increase this season.
“Michael put in a lot of time last spring working on his shot and getting comfortable scoring on perimeter,” Bonds added. “However, he suffered an ankle injury that has cost him a lot of development time. He will be returning soon from this injury and will immediately be a key factor in our success. Michael is one of those guys that will do the dirty work---getting on the floor after a loose ball, taking a charge, and pushing around for the offensive rebound.”
Whitney is a newcomer to Bonds’ program but is expected to contribute.
“Kayden sat out last season but will be rejoining the team giving us a much needed presence in the middle offensively and defensively,” Bonds explained. “He worked with us this summer and I am very excited about what this young man can offer us. He immediately helps us with his skill sets, but I also look for him to be one of those much needed positive verbal leaders for us.”
Bonds also notes four players
that are also battling for time in the varsity line-up.
“Sophomore Wyatt Coffee (6’4” forward) will be another guy pushing for rotational minutes at the varsity level,” Bonds said. “Wyatt has worked really hard on his perimeter game and brings another long athletic body into the mix. Wyatt just keeps getting better and better and I feel that he is ready to turn the corner and be a prominent piece. Sophomores Brady Alderson (6’1” forward) and Josh Sikes (5’8” guard) along with freshmen Jordan Turner (6’0” guard) are up and coming young guys that will continue getting better, push the older guys every day at practice, and may potentially see some time.”
Offensively,
look for AC-S to play much like the team did last year. The same will hold true
defensively.
“We will still be that team that is going to play man to man with some zones mixed in,” Bonds explained. “I do feel that we are going to be a lot longer this year as we can put several combinations on the floor that offer some height and length. Therefore, we might be able to mix in some varied zones that we couldn't play much last year.”
Bonds is quick to note that his team’s success this season will be based on several keys.
“We must continue to play together and play for each other,” Bonds explained. “This team is not built for one or two players, but a team full of players that fight together daily for the main purpose of competing with each other to achieve the big goal. We must get better ball-handling especially in late game scenarios, show consistency in scoring especially from the perimeter, and continue to get better rebounding the ball especially against the bigger more athletic teams. We also must stay healthy.”
Returning to
the regional tournament for a shot at a regional title for the first time since
1996 means getting past the first game of the District 15 tournament---a
tournament that will be played at Patriot Gym in February. However, the
District is filled with strong teams, looking to achieve the same goal at the
Patriots.
“Glasgow is the early favorite,” Bonds pointed out. “They bring back almost all of the guys and add in 6'7 Jaden Franklin who was out last year to an ACL. Coach Willett has these guys ready to compete for our Region and potentially state wide. Barren County also brings back the majority of their team and added a transfer that should make them very solid. Coach Cunningham is one of the best at the job and they will be hard to beat come tourney time. Monroe County lost several key players but they have a solid group of young talent still around. We saw them this summer and they were playing really well. This district is traditionally really hard and I see it being no different this year.”
As far as the
regional race, Bowling Green and Warren Central will again be among a list of
several.
“Bowling Green, Glasgow, Warren Central, Greenwood, South Warren and Logan County are all picked to be contenders,” Bonds said. “We played both South Warren and Greenwood this summer and they both looked the part to potentially take down the power two from the 14th District. That district along with ours make this region really hard to compete in but does make for exciting basketball throughout the season.”
AC-S travels
to South Warren on Tuesday to open the season.