DAILY JOURNAL SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Coming off its most successful season since joining the IHSAA in 2006, the Greenwood Christian Academy boys basketball program is looking to build on the foundation of last year’s success.
But it won’t be easy.
Greenwood Christian lost six seniors — four of whom are playing college basketball — from last year’s team that won its first-ever Class A sectional championship and lost a one-point thriller against Clay City in the regional final.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Consequently, the challenge for 10th-year coach Jamie Satre is to put a host of new pieces in the right places.
“We were blessed to have such a great team from top to bottom,” Satre said. “Our underclassmen made practices intense and helped the upperclassmen prepare for the intensity of varsity-level basketball.
“Winning a sectional and advancing to the regional finals was great for our kids and our school community. The school spirit and pride that resulted in each of our wins was contagious.”
In their previous four seasons, the Cougars compiled a 61-28
record, including a 19-6 slate last year. They shared the Pioneer Academic Athletic Conference title with Shortridge with a 4-1 conference mark.
With only one starter returning, 6-foot-2 senior center Alec Brown, the rebuilding project is daunting.
But Satre said he is confident the Cougars return enough solid players to sufficiently fill the voids left by the departures.
“Our junior varsity team had a great season and maintained humble attitudes throughout the year,” Satre said. “I loved their defensive intensity and scrappiness. They played together and shared the basketball really well.
“Varsity basketball is of course a different level but I think they are up to the challenge.”
Returning bench players who saw significant minutes last season include senior guards Noah Shingleton and Mark Gibson.
Also back is senior forward Braden Murray, junior guard Jared Davenport and junior forward Krae Sparks.
“I am excited about the challenges our conference teams
bring year in and year out,” Satre said. “As for the rest of our schedule, we’re always looking to improve it, and this season is no different. By adding Greenwood and Whiteland, we hope to continue to make our guys better by playing tougher competition.
“You can count on this — every game we play will be a battle, and that’s how we want it.”
The Cougars open the season tonight at Metropolitan.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Date;Opponent;Time
Nov. 25;at Metropolitan;7:30 p.m.
Nov. 29;at Greenwood;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5;at Liberty Christian;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 6 Edgewood 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 12;Indian Creek;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 13;at Lutheran;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 20;at Whiteland;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 30;Monrovia Tourney;TBA
Jan. 3;Southwestern;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 9;at Attucks ;p.m.
Jan. 10;at Shortridge;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 13;International;8 p.m.
Jan. 16;at Oldenburg;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 17;Anderson Prep;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 24;Eminence;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 30;Baptist Academy;8 p.m.
Feb. 3;Irvington Prep;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 6;at Waldron;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 7;Arlington;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 12;Morristown;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 20;at Brown County;7:30 p.m.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
