BOYS BB: Lewis Cass Kings season preview
Nov. 22—The Lewis Cass boys basketball team returns four starters from a team that went 13-12 a year ago.
The Kings were dominant at times, but they also struggled at times in close games.
But they were competitive against strong teams in those close games. They led Carroll — which ended up being a Class 2A semistate team — most of the way before falling 50-49 in the season opener. They let a late lead slip away against Tipton, which went on to win a Class 2A sectional title. They were beat on a buzzer-beater by Peru, which went on to win a Class 3A sectional title. They were within six points after three quarters of play against Kokomo, which was a Class 4A semistate team. They let a halftime lead slip away in the sectional championship game against Rensselaer.
Considering all they have back from last year, coach Kyle Johnson is looking for the Kings to take a step forward this year.
"I think that there's some things this year that I hope we do a little bit better than last year: finishing games," Johnson said. "I don't think we did a very good job of finishing games. We've done a good job the last few years improving upon our defense. Our defensive average has gone down the last three years. But like any other team, I think the key is being able to play as a group, playing for each other and not for ourselves. If we have strong team chemistry I think we can be a special team."
The Kings return the reigning Loganland Player of the Year, Tyson Good. The 6-foot-6 senior averaged 15.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.1 apg and 1.5 spg. He made 36 3-pointers at 33% and shot 76% from foul line.
They also return All-Loganland first-teamer Luke Chambers, a 6-5 senior who averaged 11.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg and shot 62% from the field.
Other returning starters include 6-4 junior L.J. Hillis (6.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.5 apg) and 5-10 senior Haden McClain. Keaton Lewellen, a 6-6 senior, will step into a starting role.
The bench will include 5-10 junior Owen Lowe, 6-0 junior Wyatt Loos, 6-0 senior Breyton Hensley and 6-2 freshman Trey Johnson.
Coach Johnson is looking for the Kings to contend for Hoosier Conference and sectional titles. They'll have to win the East Division to win the conference.
"It's interesting with our conference having 10 schools and only playing one side for the chance to play in the conference championship," Johnson said. "Like I've always told the kids, I believe we can truly can beat any team on our schedule, but they also can beat us. We definitely are interested in competing for that title. We've got some tough road games this year at Western and at Heights. But we're going to do our best to put ourselves in position to compete for that Hoosier Conference for sure."
Cass' sectional field this year includes North Miami, Pioneer, Rochester, Wabash and Winamac.
"I think the sectional is always hard to judge because records being a little bit different, schools playing strong strength of schedules and some not playing as strong," Johnson said. "I think Wabash is a very formidable team. Then you just never know. I feel like we had as good of an opportunity the last two years as anybody else in the sectional and it's time to start finishing games.
"I'm excited about these seniors. We've got experience. L.J. Hillis has got varsity experience. We've got some strong youth that are going to help us off the bench. These guys have got to start taking ownership and responsibility for the team and it's going to be a fun year."
Cass hosts Carroll Tuesday to open the season.
"It's a huge game for both of us," Johnson said. "Carroll obviously going to semistate last year, they've got a new coach this year. It's a big one for us. It's a game we let get away from us last year. But they'll bring great fans. We'll have great support. It'll be a tough one. It's early in the season. You wish games like this were later in the season but right off the bat we're both going to find out where we're at early in this new season."
