Experience:  that is the biggest difference between last year and this year’s Brebeuf boys basketball team according to Coach Howard. In his second year at Brebeuf, Coach Howard hopes to have a very successful season. With Guerin gone to 4a, the sectional is open for the taking.

Tryouts are over and the twelve roster spots have been decided. Tarig Eldosougi, Mason Grout, Kobie McNeal, Matt Broderick, Max Kucer, Sam Snyder, Malachi Rice, and Luke Iffert all return to give this team lots of experience. Four of them started at some point last year. Adding to this group are Adam Wood, Simon Banks, Brennan Fitzgerald, and Josh Haubry. Adam Wood was not able to play varsity last year, but will be in a position to play big minutes this year if not start. Simon Banks is only a freshman, but expectations equal that given to PJ Thompson.

This is one of the deepest teams in Brebeuf history. In a recent interview, Coach Howard said players will be battling to start in practice. He went on to add, “One thing I am really looking forward to is seeing these guys develop. Last year really only Aaron and Terrell had played varsity; that is not the same this year.” With five seniors to lead the team, there is no lack of responsibility.

Depth is a strength, but it is far from the only strength. This team is very versatile, able to play big with line-ups involving Wood, Eldosougi, and Broderick all together. Or they can play small with Eldosougi sliding to power forward and Mason, Kobie, and Banks or Rice playing in the backcourt. There will be lots of options and opportunities for the team this year.

The team will have two big challenges this year. First, they are in a loaded Marion County. They play the toughest schedule in 3a and have to play many of the top teams in the state in the Marion County tournament. One key to succeeding in this is fixing the half-court offense. Last year the Braves were one of the best in the state defensively but struggled in the half court. The team needs to push the ball more. Park Tudor is one of the best in the state at that. Brebeuf needs to outlet quickly and attack the rim; that will allow the Braves to draw fouls and get easy buckets. Even after made baskets the team needs to run, forcing the defense to get back and turn around. With a team so deep, they should force other teams to run. The problem with this is the other challenge the team faces.

The Braves have lost their top two guards from last year. Malachi Rice and Simon Banks will have to step up and help Kobie and Mason, who are not natural point guards. Losing Andrew Terrell and Josh Bonifield is huge, but if the Braves can replace them, this team could make a lot of noise in the 3a tournament. The Braves’ first game, against Broad Ripple, is here on November 25^th.