Travis Jones was all of 8 when his high-tops hit the court prior to one of the biggest boys basketball games in Edinburgh history.
As the Lancers’ mascot, it was Jones, a cloth helmet covering his head and a foam sword in his hand, leading the 2011-12 squad onto the Southport Fieldhouse hardwood for warmups before Edinburgh’s Class A semistate game against Loogootee.
Nearly a decade later, the 6-foot-4 junior wants to experience such a frenzied atmosphere as a player.
“I still have the outfit, and I’m never going to give it away. I’m never going to sell it,” said Jones, laughing, who was the team’s mascot from the time he was 4 through the sixth grade. “It just built the loyalty for me to one day play at Edinburgh. I definitely want to be part of something that special as a player.”
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The Lancers were 6-18 a year ago, but return 98 percent of the point production from that squad.
Sophomore Caleb Dewey, a 6-foot-2 guard, is adept at driving to the basket and drawing contact. His varsity debut was impressive, to say the least; Dewey averaged 14.8 points and 5.6 rebounds and converted 72 free throw attempts.
The 6-4 Jones was next at 8 points and a team-high 6.3 boards, followed by seniors Isaac Roberts (7.9 ppg) and Noah Detling (7.1). Junior forward Landen Burton, senior guard Chase Littlejohn and junior guard Riley Palmeter are other Lancers expected to take on more responsibility for a team aiming for its second winning season in six years.
“So far I’ve realized we have some size on us this season,” Jones said. “Landen is 6-5, I’m 6-4 and Riley Palmeter and Caleb Dewey are both 6-2. We have some speed on us, so we are looking to run even though we’ll have a size advantage in most games.”
Edinburgh coach Keith Witty likes the chemistry and potential of his latest team. It is both experienced and young at the same time.
“They’re all hard-nosed kids. Anything we ask them to do they go 100 miles an hour trying to do it,” Witty said. “Our three seniors are all guards and all good outside shooters. Isaac Roberts is more of a vocal leader, but all the players know those three are going to play hard all of the time. The juniors are the more vocal group.”
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Head coach: Keith Witty
Last season: 6-18, lost to Crothersville in semifinal of Class A sectional
Top returnees: Noah Detling, Chase Littlejohn, Parker Neumann and Isaac Roberts, seniors; Landen Burton, Travis Jones, Riley Palmeter and Parker Young, juniors; Caleb Dewey, sophomore
Key newcomers: Nick Detling and Travis Vidal, juniors; Jarrett Turner, sophomore
Outlook: The Lancers return almost all of their key players from a season ago, though their 47.1-point scoring average last winter was their lowest in 15 years. Edinburgh must develop scorers beyond what Dewey, Jones and Roberts are able to provide. Witty’s squad plays its first two games at home, but then is on the road for four of the next five before returning to host its holiday tournament on Dec. 28-29.
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1. Which nonconference opponent are you most looking forward to facing?
Probably Monrovia. I feel last year they beat us pretty bad. They had a Division I player who was like 6-foot-11 and he was just dominant.
2. Which unknown player on this team will become a household name this winter?
Chase Littlejohn. He’s shooting the lights out and is a hustler. It’s really important that I have someone I can kick the ball out to when I drive to the basket.
3. Given the ongoing pandemic, how concerned are you about the season being interrupted in some way?
Right now, I’m not really worried about it. We’re concentrating on getting where we need to be in case we do have a full season.
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