BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL PREVIEWS: Brownstown Central High School

Boys

Head coach: Dave Benter
2008-09 record: 20-7
Returning varsity players: Ryan Shoemaker, Michael Leitzman, Taylor Wischmeier, Spencer Allman, Cody Allman, Kelley Wagner, Jalen Snodgrass, Jake Olson

2009-10 outlook:

The run to the state finals by the Brownstown Central boys basketball team last winter is something many people will long remember.

But that means the expectations are high for this season’s team.

The Braves lost 6-6 postman Blaze Ayers to graduation in the spring, but they have a core group of players returning, including last season’s best free-throw shooter and rebounder in 6-7 Taylor Wischmeier and point guards Michael Leitzman and Ryan Shoemaker. All three are seniors.

Seniors Cody Allman and Kelley Wagner split their time between junior varsity and varsity last season, and Allman can shoot all over the floor and Wagner can get inside and lay it in or pull down the rebound.

Junior Spencer Allman also returns and provides a threat at the 3-point line, and junior Jake Olson and sophomore Jalen Snodgrass round out the returnees.

That makes eight players returning from last season’s Class 2A state runner-up team.

“I think experience and familiarity with our program is a huge strength,” coach Dave Benter said.  “A lot of our primary guys have played in big games. We also have a couple of double-digit scorers returning.”

Benter would like to see his team be quick on both sides of the ball.

“Our lack of quickness is a concern, as that really bothered us against quick, athletic teams last year,” he said. “Also, we have big shoes to fill losing Blaze’s ability to guard and rebound and score. A consistent third scorer and rebounding are also concerns.”

The goals remain the same: winning conference and sectional and improving as the season progresses. The Braves were 7-2 in the Mid-Southern Conference last season.

Benter said the team’s offseason work included more than 20 games, along with practices, lifting and shooting.

“We will miss Blaze Ayers, but the pieces are here to be competitive and compete,” Benter said. “We are looking forward to getting started.”

The Braves will open Dec. 1 at home against MSC foe Salem.

Roster

Freshmen: Kory Kovert, Brett McCory, Dylan Patman, Jonah Persinger, Keanon Persinger, Nick Stahl, Skylar Thompson, Jay Wehmiller
Sophomores: Jake Brown, Fletcher Davidson, Trey DeHart, Ellis Gallion, Seth Pollert, Jalen Snodgrass, Wade Toppe, Kyle Wischmeier
Juniors: Spencer Allman, Scott Baker, Evan Eggersman, Jake Olson
Seniors: Cody Allman, Michael Leitzman, Ryan Shoemaker, Kelley Wagner, Taylor Wischmeier

Schedule

Dec. 1 Salem
Dec. 4 at Seymour
Dec. 11 Scottsburg
Dec. 18 North Harrison
Dec. 19 Mitchell
Dec. 28-30 at Graber Post Buildings Classic
Jan. 8 at West Washington
Jan. 12 Southwestern (Hanover)
Jan. 15 at Silver Creek
Jan. 22 Brown County
Jan. 26 Austin
Jan. 29 at Charlestown
Jan. 30 at Corydon Central
Feb. 5 at Clarksville
Feb. 6 Paoli
Feb. 11 Crothersville
Feb. 19 at Eastern (Pekin)
Feb. 23 at Jennings County
Feb. 26 at Orleans

Girls

Head coach: Karla Rieckers
2008-09 record: 14-7
Returning varsity players: Jamie Wehmiller, Sammie Bane, Katelyn Shoemaker, Maria Allen, Catherine Allen, Taylor Fleetwood

2009-10 outlook:

The Brownstown Central girls basketball team truly turned things around last season.

After opening with one win in five games, the Lady Braves won six straight and 13 of their final 16 games. They reached the sectional championship game and came out strong against a ranked Austin team, but the Eagles rallied for a five-point win.

This winter, six varsity players return, but one of them, senior Catherine Allen, will be out for the season after suffering a torn ACL the first week of practice, coach Karla Rieckers said.

The Braves still have Jamie Wehmiller (12.2 ppg), Sammie Bane (9.3 ppg) and Katelyn Shoemaker (7.9 ppg) as the returning starters, and there are returning lettermen Maria Allen (6.4 ppg) and Taylor Fleetwood (4.6 ppg).

“Our players are well-rounded athletes, as most of them participate in three sports throughout the school year,” Rieckers said. “Their athleticism provides our team with strength and quickness.”

But there is always room for improvement, and Rieckers would like to see her team continue to work on defensive intensity.

“We are still trying to get our basketball legs, which will take some time,” she said.

She also would like to see the team outrebound its opponents, decrease its number of turnovers, improve its field goal percentage and improve the conference and season records from last year.

The players’ work in the weight room and participating in summer leagues should help, Rieckers said.

“We participated in the summer Hoop Attack League and participated in the Clarksville and Providence shootout,” Rieckers said. “We are very excited about the upcoming season. Our players have worked hard over the summer to improve our girls basketball program. We are looking forward to more success this season, but we have to take it one game at a time and continue to improve throughout the year.”

Roster

Freshmen: Kaylee Bennett, Presley Dmitriev, Sierra Enrique, Olivia Martin, Amber Short, Allison Warren, Kaley Wilkerson, Amanda Wischmeier
Sophomores: Maria Allen, Hailey Brown, Mallory Cockerham, Haley Hackman, Jenna Hackman, Kristen Mellencamp, Megan Quade, Kourtney Settle
Juniors: Sammie Bane, Katelyn Shoemaker
Seniors: Taylor Fleetwood, Jamie Wehmiller, Catherine Allen

Schedule

Nov. 20 at Mitchell
Nov. 27 at Providence
Dec. 3 Seymour
Dec. 5 Eastern (Pekin)
Dec. 10 at Salem
Dec. 12 at Austin
Dec. 15 Clarksville
Dec. 19 Silver Creek
Dec. 29-30 at Eastern Greene Tournament
Jan. 7 South Decatur
Jan. 9 Charlestown
Jan. 14 at Hauser
Jan. 16 at Jennings County
Jan. 19 Southwestern (Shelby)
Jan. 23 Brown County
Jan. 28 at North Harrison
Jan. 30 at Corydon Central
Feb. 2 at Scottsburg
Feb. 4 Paoli