Blackford Bruins
•2013-14 record: 8-13
•Coach: Troy Burkhart (first year)
•First 2014-15 game: lost to Wapahani 54-37
•Key returner: Joel Sharp 3 ppg.
•Key losses: The Bruins graduated seven seniors who combined for the vast majority of their team’s production. (Stats unavailable).
•Season outlook: First-year coach Troy Burkhart said he expects growing pains as his team adjusts to his system, but he is optimistic his team can be competitive, especially in the 2015 portion of the schedule. The Bruins will rely on several players who were promoted from the junior varsity team or are new to the program to make significant contributions.
•Burkhart’s comment: “We are in the process of learning how to play basketball together as a team our way. This process takes time but we are on the right track.”
Blue River Vikings
•2013-14 record: 13-9
•Coach: Brian Klein (9th year, enters 107-74)
•First 2014-15 game: lost to New Castle 70-23
•Key returners: Noah Madison 15 ppg; DJ Acton 3 ppg, 3 rpg; Josh Berry 3 ppg, 3 rpg, Noah Brown 3 apg, Jonah Madison 3 ppg, 3 rpg.
•Key losses: Devon Brown 10 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 apg; Mason Brown 9 ppg, 6 rpg; Austin Cross 10 ppg, 6 rpg.
•Season outlook: The Vikings hope to utilize strong defense and rebounding. They lost considerable offense from last season, but coach Brian Klein said his team has a blend of inside and outside players returning.
•Klein’s comment: “We want to compete every time we take the floor and play with great energy and enthusiasm every night.”
Jay County Patriots
•2013-14 record: 13-8
•Coach: Craig Teagle (17th year at Jay County, enters 232-130)
•First 2014-15 game: defeated Central 43-40 in overtime.
•Key returners: Zach Pryor 6 ppg, 2.5 apg; Nick Clemens 3 ppg, 2 rpg; Jay Houck 6 ppg, 3.1 rpg.
•Key losses: Zach Fullenkamp 6 ppg, 4 rpg; Jacob Schlosser 12 ppg, 5 apg; Trey Teagle 12 ppg, 6 rpg, 4 apg.
•Season outlook: Jay County will be inexperienced and undersized this season. Coach Craig Teagle experts some early struggles, but hopes to develop team chemistry on both the offensive and defensive ends that will allow the Patriots to overcome those struggles.
•Teagle’s comment: “We hope to have continuous improvement throughout the year and give ourselves the opportunity to be competitive in the sectional.”
Monroe Central Golden Bears
•2013-14 record: 15-9
•Coach: Justin Ullom (first year)
•First 2014-15 game: lost to Northeastern 78-44
•Key returner: Cody Woolf 6.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg
•Key losses: Jentry Flesher 5.8 ppg; Jake Combs 16.2 ppg, 2.0 spg; Chase Bly 16.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg; Bracken Barga 8.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.9 apg; Jesse Reum 2.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg.
•Season outlook: Coach Justin Ullom describes his team as deep and said he expects to use 9-10 players in the rotation despite a new-look roster that is low on key varsity returners. He hopes to use that depth to push the tempo.
•Ullom’s comment: “I am excited to begin the process with this team. We have the ability to play with anyone on our schedule once we all buy into each other and once the players buy into the system.”
Union Rockets
•2013-14 record: 14-9
•Coach: Dan Carmony (first year at Union)
•First 2014-15 game: home Friday vs. Union City
•Key returner: Kaulen Jenkins, 9 ppg, 3 rpg.
•Key losses: Spencer Shore 16 ppg; Nick Glaser 14 ppg.
•Season outlook: The Rockets are hoping to use a strong work ethic to overcome a lack of size as experienced head coach Dan Carmony takes over for Jeff Holloway, who departed for Central.
•Carmony’s comment: Quickness will hopefully be a key strength on both ends of the floor. We must rebound as a team, everyone contributing.