DALEVILLE — They say that success breeds success.
They also say that hard work breeds success.
If 30 victories and a pair of sectional titles the past two seasons serve as any indicator, then the Daleville boys basketball program could be poised to build upon a winning foundation in the 2009-10 season.
“Any time you have the chance to be successful, I think everyone’s going to have good spirits and be willing to work hard. So I think (the program is moving in the right direction),” fifth-year Daleville coach Corey Scott said.
Though graduation losses claimed four integral parts of last year’s squad that finished 14-9 and claimed a second straight sectional championship, Scott has a pair of returners that bring plenty of experience to guide the Broncos in seniors Jimmy Sandberg and Zach Tumulty. Sandberg, a forward, led Daleville in scoring at about 17 points per game, while Tumulty will run the floor from the point guard spot.
“That’s a good place to start, having your point guard back,” Scott said. “He understands what needs to be done, and he’s a fierce competitor. There’s no one in the world that wants to win more than him. He’s a very big piece of the puzzle.”
While opponents likely will key on Sandberg, he explained it won’t be a singular effort when it comes to putting points on the board.
“I’m not the only one that can score,” Sandberg said. “I think we’ll have some options. If the opportunity presents itself, I’m going to go for it, but there are other guys that can step up as well.”
That help will come from a talented junior class that includes Tyler Harris, Clint Haisley, Jake Peters and Shane Anthony. Seniors Craig Roberts and Aaron Morris also will look to contribute as Daleville seeks not just a third consecutive sectional title but also to take the next step in securing a Mid-Eastern Conference crown.
Scott looks for perennial powers Wapahani, Monroe Central and Blue River to again contend for the MEC championship. He’s hoping his squad can find the right balance quickly to move into that upper echelon of year-in, year-out contenders.
“We’re trying to get to the point where we can be consistently in the mix,” Scott said. “The big thing is figuring out the right mix, figuring out people that can step in. We’ve got some ability, and if we use it in the right way, we think we can be successful.”
High School Sports
Broncos aim to continue success
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Bearcats upend AHS
Often basketball is a simple game, and it was certainly true for the Anderson boys basketball team here Thursday night. “We had too many turnovers — that’s the game,” said AHS coach Joe Nadaline after the Indians lost to Muncie Central 54-46 for their eighth straight defeat.
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Bulldogs topple Raiders, win 9th in a row
The Bulldogs keep on rolling. Lapel (16-3) led from start to finish as it beat visiting Shenandoah 69-47 Thursday night to push its winning streak to nine games.
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PHHS shoots down Fishers
It can be easy to take Kellen Dunham for granted. But the Pendleton Heights senior reminded everyone why he is a Mr. Basketball candidate with a furious fourth quarter Thursday night against Fishers. Dunham scored 15 of his game-high 32 points in the final eight minutes, connected on all 10 of his free-throw attempts during the period and drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key early in the frame that sent the fifth-ranked Arabians on their way to a 53-42 victory.
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Frankton subdues Liberty
Youth was on display Thursday night in Frankton as the host Eagles squared off against the Liberty Christian Lions boys basketball team. Neither team had a senior start the game, and Frankton proved to be the more seasoned team in a 68-59 win.
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Indians fall to Bearcats 54-46
Photos from Anderson as the Indians hosted the Muncie Central Bearcats.
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Five for fighting
Like other coaches, Alexandria wrestling coach Jack Grimaldi sometimes has to worry about how to motivate his charges as they head into their matches. That shouldn’t be an issue for him with his five Tigers heading into Saturday’s individual semistate at New Castle.
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Red-hot Lapel limiting miscues
Like any basketball coach, Jimmie Howell knows how important it is for a team to be playing its best basketball as the state tournament draws near.
But what’s going on in Lapel might be redefining that theory.
With a 60-42 win on the road over Class 3A No. 6 Guerin Catholic on Saturday, the Bulldogs pushed their winning streak to eight games. Over the 32-minute course of the game against the Golden Eagles, Lapel committed a microscopic four turnovers. -
PH moves on
On the roster of every successful team is a player or two who will do the unpleasant work. The ones who actually find satisfaction in this pursuit are worth their weight in wins to any coach. Pendleton Heights sophomore Kiawna Cottrell was just that player Tuesday as the Arabians advanced to the second round of sectional play with a 55-45 victory over Greenfield-Central.
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Indians slay Spartans
The last time these two girls basketball teams met on Jan. 17, Anderson defeated Connersville 83-74 in overtime. Lady Tribe coach Chad Cook knew the Spartans would come out with a chip on their shoulder ready for revenge in Tuesday’s opening round of the Class 4A sectional.
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Eagles eke by Raiders
Back in November, the Frankton girls basketball team handled Shenandoah by 29 points. Tuesday’s sectional opener at Shenandoah wasn’t as easy, but the end result was the same as Frankton moved on with a 44-43 win over the host Shenandoah Raiders.
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