By Tyler Fenwick | For The Times-Post
[email protected]
LAPEL — As the Lapel boys basketball team gears up for another season, it’s going to be working to replicate the success that was found two years ago in the Bulldogs’ state championship team.The first variable in that equation is finding a player who can lead, the way Kamron Herrington did in 2015.
In his 14th season as Lapel’s head coach, Jimmie Howell feels the potential is there.
“I think our seniors all have to step up as leaders,” said Howell, who enters this season with a 220-97 record at Lapel.
Those seniors are Levi Frazier, Caleb Bloom, Preston Scott and Austin Lyons. Howell also pointed to sophomore Carson Huber as an emerging leader.
While it’s not uncommon for teams to lose most of their top scoring threats to graduation, the Bulldogs likely won’t have to worry about that until next season.
The biggest piece missing from last year’s team is Jon Ross Richardson, who led Lapel last season with 18.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
Junior Luke Richardson is the leading returning scorer with 10.5 points per game. Lyons returns with 9.7 points per game, Scott averaged 8.1 points last season, and Bloom averaged 3.2.
Howell will learn a lot about his offense early, as the Bulldogs face five Class 4A and 3A teams before Christmas. Lapel will take on 4A Anderson and Pendleton Heights in two of its first three games.
“These first eight teams we play are some of the toughest we play all season,” Howell said.
As for what Howell would like his defense to look like, the main goal will be using it to create offense.
“We want to be very good defensively,” Howell said. “That’s where we want to hang our hat.”
With Lapel’s football team pushing its season into November, Howell said he won’t be surprised if his team takes a little time to get going this season, but there won’t be much time to adjust if the Bulldogs are going to win at least 17 games for the fourth straight season.
“We’re gonna be excited to get things going.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Austin Lyons profile” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Senior profile
‘Pushing everyone else’
LAPEL — One of the four seniors Lapel will be leaning on this season is Austin Lyons, who returns as the Bulldogs’ second leading scorer.
Lyons said he and his fellow seniors are looking to own up to their leadership roles this season as veterans of the program.
“I see myself pushing everyone else on the court,” he said.
Lyons averaged 2.3 assists last year and would like to become a better distributor in his final season. With most of the Bulldogs’ top scoring threats returning, there shouldn’t be a shortage of options.
As for this being his final chance to put a stamp on Lapel’s basketball program, Lyons said he just wants to embrace what’s left.
“I’m ready to attack it.”
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Schedule:
Nov. 24 — Anderson
Nov. 25 — @ Frankton
Dec. 1 — @ Pendleton Heights
Dec. 2 — Madison-Grant
Dec. 8 — @ Wapahani
Dec. 15 — @ Beech Grove
Dec. 16 — @ New Castle
Dec. 22 — Guerin Catholic
Dec. 28 — Taylor
Dec. 29 — @ Sheridan
Jan. 2-6 — Madison County Tournament
Jan. 12 — @ Hamilton Heights
Jan. 13 — Tri-Central
Jan. 20 — @ Paoli
Jan. 26 — @ Eastern Hancock
Jan. 27 — Elwood
Feb. 1 — Alexandria
Feb. 9 — Shenandoah
Feb. 10 — @ Hagerstown
Feb. 16 — @ Speedway
Feb. 22 — Tipton
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”By the numbers” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Roster:
(Jersey number, name, grade)
No. 10 Carson Huber (10)
No. 30 Austin Lyons (12)
No. 32 Levi Frazier (12)
No. 34 Cole Alexander (10)
No. 40 Caleb Bloom (12)
No. 42 Preston Scott (12)
No. 44 Luke Richardson (11)
No. 50 Bryce Carpenter (10)
No. 54 Gage White (10)
[sc:pullout-text-end]