The Owensboro Catholic boys’ basketball team has a handful of talent returning, but they’ll be relatively on a mostly inexperienced group as they head into the new season.
The Aces — who went 18-12 and earned an All “A” 3rd Region championship — lost more than half of their scoring and rebounding from last season after the graduation of four seniors, though a couple of dynamic players will return to major roles.
The biggest loss in terms of numbers is John Parker, who led the team with 14.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. The Aces will have to find someone who can match both his physicality and ability to spark the offense.
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Also gone is the biggest 3-point threat in Peyton Survant, who accounted for 62 of the team’s 135 made baskets from beyond the arc.
Head coach Tim Riley said the Aces will have to look to the defensive end early on as they grow and develop.
“We need to be an outstanding defensive team and we have to be able to rebound,” he said. “We’ll have to grow up quickly because of the youth of our basketball team.”
Senior Andrew Riney will come back as a key starter and a top defensive presence for the Aces. He chipped in 7.6 and 3.6 rebounds per night.
Despite coming off the bench, senior Drew Hartz finished last season second on the team in both scoring (9.3 ppg) and rebounds (3.6 rpg).
Brian Griffith and Ji Webb are a pair of sophomores who saw significant minutes a year ago, and they’ll take on extra duties this season. Griffith (6.3 ppg) is a quick point guard that can create some offense, while Webb (3.8 ppg) is a 6’6 post player who can tower over opponents.
The top newcomer to the team is Gray Weaver, a junior transfer from Christian Academy of Louisville who made a handful of starts last year.
Also expected to contribute for Catholic will be Sam McFarland, Luke Scales, Braden Mundy and Everett Munsey — all multi-sport sophomores — as well as senior Logan Jones.
Riley said he likes his roster, but he knows there may be some early growing pains.
“We have a talented team but little experience,” he said. “We will have to grow up quickly in order to be successful.”
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