PENDLETON — Pendleton Heights head basketball coach Kevin Bates said fans will see a different type of Arabians team this season.
The Arabians are not a big team. Senior Tristan Ross tops the roster at 6-foot-6; but the balance of the Arabians, such as seniors David Staley and Kamden Earley, juniors Gavin Greer and Carter Aldridge, and sophomores Luke Candiano and Jamison Dunham all come in at 6-foot-2 or shorter.
However, the lack of height changes the only plan and not the path.
“I hope our biggest strength is shooting,” Bates said. “However, we’ve got to get back to the emphasis when you shoot, make it. Don’t just shoot.
“We’re going to run a lot of schemes and out-think our opponents,” Bates said.
The Arabians will be using their basketball IQ to control the court.
“We have a lot of guards this year,” Bates said.
Four to five players from last year’s JV roster will make the move to gain varsity minutes this season.
While the Arabians will be a thinking team on the offense, they will be scrappy on the defense, according to Bates.
The scrappers will have to stay out of foul trouble while containing the drive, keeping their opponents out of the lane and contesting the shots.
Even though height may come into play, Bates said the Arabians will have to go for the rebounds.
“This could be a process,” Bates said. “We might get off to slower start, but by Christmas we’ll be jelling and playing the way we want to by the county.”
The Madison County Tournament begins Jan. 6, and Bates thinks the coveted trophy for best in the county could be anybody’s this year.
“The county is so wide open this year. I love the county. It’s the best basketball around,” Bates said.
For the Arabians, the season will be one of getting better, not only week by week, but day by day.
Those improvements will be key for a long season and hopes for finishing atop the Hoosier Heritage Conference.
Change is the theme for Pendleton Heights during the hoop season. In a realignment of the sectional, the Arabians will now play at the historic field house at Muncie Central. In 2017, the field house was severely damaged in a storm. The grand re-opening is set for December.
In addition to the Arabians, Muncie Central and Anderson will be part of the sectional.
Bates said the possibility of meeting Anderson three times during the season is very real. The Arabians open their season Nov. 26 at Anderson, followed by a game at Westfield, Dec. 3. The Arabian home opener is Dec. 6 against Lapel.
Among the changes in the 2019-20 schedule is the dropping of Carmel, North Central and Lawrence Central. Pendleton Heights added Richmond, Shenandoah and Eastern Hancock.
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Tuesday, Nov. 26 @Anderson 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 3 @Westfield 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 6 Lapel 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 13 Mt. Vernon 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 14 Connersville 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 17 Guerin Catholic 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 20 @University 7:30 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 30 @Hamilton Southeastern 7:30 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 6 Anderson Prep Academy (Madison County Tournament)
Wednesday, Jan. 8 Madison County Tournament
Friday, Jan. 10 Madison County Tournament
Friday, Jan. 17 @New Palestine 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 18 @Shelbyville 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 24 Delta 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 25 Richmond 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 31 Greenfield-Central
Saturday, Feb. 1 Pike 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 6 @Yorktown 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 11 @Muncie Central
Friday, Feb. 14 Fishers 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 18 New Castle 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 21 @Shenandoah 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 25 @Eastern Hancock 7:30 p.m.
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Varsity
Seniors
20 Kamden Earley-forward
34 David Stahly-forward
54 Tristan Ross-forward
Juniors
2 Davrick Black-guard
4 Evan John-guard
12 Luke Weaver-guard
22 Gavin Greer-forward
30 Zion Cook-guard
32 Caden McClain-forward
40 Carter Aldredge-forward
Sophomores
10 Jamison Dunham-guard
14 Luke Candiano-guard
24 Ethan Ross-forward
Junior varsity
Juniors
10 Evan John-guard
12 Luke Weaver-guard
22 Gavin Greer-forward
32 Caden McClain-forward
40 Carter Aldredge-forward
Sophomores
14 Max Fesler-guard
20 Bronson Buck-guard
24 Will Kaster-forward
30 Jace Souders-forward
34 Jackson Garner-forward
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