By Eric Eaton
Hoosier Crossroads Content Coordinator
The 2007-2008 Hoosier Crossroads Conference boys’ basketball championship for all intensive purposes was decided on February 15 when Lafayette Jeff emerged with a thrilling 72-69 home court victory over Brownsburg.
The Bronchos then capped off an undefeated conference season six days later at Hamilton Southeastern with an 80-77 victory over the Royals.
The Hoosier Crossroads Conference title was the first for Lafayette Jeff in boys’ basketball. It also marked the first time in forty years that the Bronchos had won an outright conference title. The program’s last undisputed conference crown was in 1968 as part of the North Central Conference.
In the state tournament though, it was the conference runner-up Brownsburg Bulldogs that had by the far the most success. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last nine months you probably know that the Bulldogs won the 2008 4A state championship over Marion by the score of 40-39 on a buzzer-beater by Gordon Hayward.
However, Indiana All-Stars Hayward and Julian Mavunga both departed due to graduation. Therefore, Brownsburg will begin the season as a long-shot to defend its state title come March.
Lafayette Jeff though returns three starters all of whom are excellent three-point marksmen in Brandon Williams, Jesse Berry, and Brandon Williams; which should make the Bronchos legitimate conference and state championship contenders once again this season. Apparently the organizers of the Hall of Fame Tournament also think the Bronchos are in store for another promising season, as the team has been invited to participate in this year’s tournament to be held December 30 in New Castle.
As I always do, I like to spotlight a dark-horse team that might surprise a few people in the conference championship. Well, Noblesville could quite possibly be that surprise team during the 2008-2009 conference championship.
Last season the Millers were 11-11. However, coach Dave McCollough’s Noblesville teams have won at least 13 games in 10 out of the last 11 seasons. The Millers also have a very talented junior forward in Leland Brown who averaged double figures in points per game last season. Therefore, one would expect to see the Millers return to near the top of the conference standings this season.
Here’s a capsule look at all 10 conference schools for 2008-2009 season (Teams are listed in the order they finished in last year’s conference championship.
Lafayette Jefferson
Coach: Scot Bunnell
Record last season: 23-2, 9-0 HCC (1st place)
2008 State Tournament: lost to New Castle 49-46 in the semifinals of the Marion Regional
Key graduation losses: Broderick Lewis (Indiana University) and Joe Gamble
Returning starters: 3
Top Players:
G-Brandon Williams: 5’11”, Sr. (averaged 18.4 ppg last season)
G-Jesse Berry: 6’1”, Jr. (averaged 16.7 ppg last season)
G-Roddy Richardson: 6’0”, Jr. (averaged 9.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg last season)
C-Shane Wyant: 6’4”, Sr. (averaged 7.2 ppg and 4.4 rpg last season)
F-Zach Keener: 5’11”, Sr.
Season outlook: “With three starters back from a 23-2 season the expectations are high. Our goal is to improve everyday and play our best basketball in the state tournament.” – Lafayette Jefferson Coach Scot Bunnell
Schedule: Click here to view the Bronchos 2008-09 schedule
Brownsburg
Coach: Joshua Kendrick
Record last season: 22-5, 8-1 HCC (2nd place)
2008 Tournament: defeated Marion 40-39 to win the 4A state championship
Key graduation losses: Gordon Hayward (Butler) and Julian Mavunga (Miami of Ohio)
Returning starters: 2
Top players:
G-Austin Fish: 6’1”, Sr. (averaged 5.2 ppg last season)
G-J.D. Cosby: 5’9”, Sr. (averaged 6.1 ppg last season)
G-Torrey Nibbs: 6’1”, So.
C-Enique Mason: 6’9”, Jr.
Season outlook: “We have graduated key players; however, we have tough kids returning. They are working hard to get better every day. Competing for county, conference, and sectional titles are always goals. Most importantly, we look forward to representing the school and community both on and off the court.” – Brownsburg coach Joshua Kendrick
Schedule: Click here to view the Bulldogs 2008-2009 schedule
Hamilton Southeastern
Coach: Brian Satterfield
Record last season: 14-8, 6-3 HCC (T3rd place)
2008 State Tournament: lost to Carmel 77-60 in the semifinals of the Carmel Sectional
Key graduation losses: Chris Carlino (playing football at Purdue) and Matt Maloof (DePauw)
Returning starters: 2
Top players:
F-Charlie Duffy: 6’7”, Sr. (averaged 13.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg, and 1.3 spg)
G-Zach Starr: 6’0”, Jr. (averaged 8.7 ppg last season)
Season outlook: “This is a season we are excited about, but there are a lot of questions. We only have two players with any significant varsity experience. We should have some versatility and depth with our personnel. Areas of concern would be inside play and defense. Our hope is that the players get more familiar with each other and the system as the season progresses.” – Hamilton Southeastern coach Brian Satterfield
Schedule: Click here to view the Royals 2008-2009 schedule
McCutcheon
Coach: Rick Peckinpaugh
Record last season: 16-6, 6-3 HCC (T3rd place)
2008 State Tournament: lost to Kokomo 59-44 in the semifinals of the Lafayette Jefferson Sectional
Key graduation losses: Kyle Fleetwood, Kevin Greene, Travis Fleming, and Antonio Diaz
Top players:
G-Cory Rush: 5’9” Sr.
G-Nick Wittgren: 6’1”, Sr.
G-Alantae Crawford, Jr.
F-Clint Thayer: 6’2, So.
Schedule: Click here to view the Mavericks 2008-2009 schedule
Noblesville
Coach: Dave McCollough
Record last season: 11-11, 5-4 HCC (5th place)
2008 State Tournament: lost to Carmel 61-45 in the championship of the Carmel Sectional
Key graduation losses: Raymond Burks
Top players:
F-Leland Brown: 6’3”, Jr. (averaged 10.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, and 2.6 apg last season)
G-Michael Deines: 6’1”, Jr.
G-Andrew Lively: 6’0”, Jr.
Schedule: Click here to view the Millers 2008-2009 schedule
Fishers
Coach: Joe Leonard
Record last season: 8-13, 4-5 HCC (T6th place)
2008 State Tournament: lost to Noblesville 53-45 in the semifinals of the Carmel Sectional
Key graduation losses: Kevin Reilly, Will Madison, Sean McMullen, and Ryan Harris
Returning starters: 2
Top players:
F-Matt Lenz, 6’1”, Sr. (averaged 9.5 ppg and 3.2 rpg last season)
F-Josh Johnson, 6’6”, Sr.
F-Dakota Slaughter, 6’7” So.
G-Phil Miller, 5’8”, So.
Season outlook: “I have a good group who play hard and want to learn the game. Matt Lenz is a three year starter and Phil miller started as a freshman. We expect to be very competitive this year!” – Fishers coach Joe Leonard
Schedule: Click here to view the Tigers 2008-2009 schedule
Zionsville
Coach: Shaun Busick
Record last season: 8-13, 4-5 HCC (T6th place)
2008 State Tournament: lost to Carmel 56-49 in the quarterfinals of the Carmel Sectional
Key graduation losses: Sean Haseley (DePauw)
Returning starters: 4
Top players:
G-Jack Isenbarger: 6’3”, Jr. (averaged 11 ppg, 4 rpg, and 3 apg last season)
G-Chris Roberts: 5’8”, Jr. (averaged 7 ppg last season)
F-Chris Welker: 6’5”, Jr. (averaged 9 ppg and 6 rpg last season)
C-Blake Lueders: 6’6”, Jr.
Season outlook: “If we can improve our defense and rebounding, we could become a very tough team by the state tournament.” – Zionsville coach Shaun Busick
Schedule: Click here to view the Eagles 2008-2009 schedule
Westfield
Coach: Joe Pearson
Record last season: 5-16, 2-7 HCC (8th place)
2008 State Tournament: lost to Hamilton Southeastern 8-48 in the quarterfinals of the Carmel Sectional
Key graduation losses: Cam McClay
Returning starters: 5
Top players:
G-Austin Brengle: 6’2”, Jr. (averaged 6 ppg last season
F-Jordan Meinen: 6’5”, Sr. (averaged 10.3 ppg last season)
F-Zach Mally: 6’6”, Sr. (averaged 10.2 ppg and 5.6 rpg last season)
F-Adam Albright: 6’3”, Sr. (averaged 8 ppg last season)
F-Jeff Howard: 6’7”, Jr. (averaged 6 ppg last season)
Season outlook: “The Rocks will be much improved with the added experience and strength from last year. Size and shooting should be key components of this year’s team.” – Westfield coach Joe Pearson
Schedule: Click here to view the Shamrocks 2008-2009 schedule
Avon
Coach: Jason Young
Record last season: 6-15, 1-8 HCC (9th place)
2008 State Tournament: lost to Decatur Central 66-44 in the quarterfinals of the Brownsburg Sectional
Top players:
G-Kendall Griffin: 6’5”, So. (averaged 9.7 ppg and 4.7 rpg last season)
G-JaJuan Sarver: 5’11”, So.
G-Alex Riley: 6’1”, Sr.
G-Darrian Mikell: 6’0”, Sr.
F-Darvon Blackmon: 6’1”, Sr.
C-Aaron Childs: 6’5”, Sr.
Schedule: Click here to view the Orioles 2008-2009 schedule
Harrison (West Lafayette)
Coach: Jeff VanArsdel
Record last season: 4-18, 0-9 HCC (10th place)
2008 State Tournament: lost to Lafayette Jefferson 67-42 in the semifinals of the Lafayette Jefferson Sectional
Key graduation losses: Lane Waters
Returning starters: 3
Top players:
G-Corey Shandrick: 5’9”, Sr.
G-Jacob VanArsdel: 6’5”, Jr.
F-Levi Armstrong: 6’2”, Sr.
F-Blair Banker: 6’7”, Jr.
Season outlook: “We look to be improved. We always face a challenging schedule, but we look forward to the challenge. We need to be solid on defense along with rebounding at each end of the floor. It will also be important for us to find consistent scoring from a variety of players.” – Harrison coach Jeff VanArsdel
Schedule: Click here to view the Raiders 2008-2009 schedule
2008-2009 Conference Overview
“The Hoosier Crossroads Conference has the returning state champion (Brownsburg). I think Lafayette Jeff and Noblesville will both be strong. If HSE gets good guard play they could be really good as well. Fishers has some very good young players and Zionsville has a fantastic junior class.” – Harrison coach Jeff VanArsdel
“The HCC stood out last year as the top conference in the state. Brownsburg and Lafayette Jeff were the headliners. This year the competition will be great from top to bottom in the HCC, but Jeff should be the front-runner.” – Westfield Coach Joe Pearson
“The HCC is one of the top conferences in the state on a consistent basis. In regards to the coming season, Lafayette Jeff is an overwhelming favorite. I think the rest of us may be playing for second place.” – Zionsville Coach Shaun Busick
