3A Frontrunners: Crispus Attucks
The season is getting closer and closer and we are starting to dive into the rosters and Sectionals that will help to determine who are the top competition for each class. Today, we take a look into 3A and the frontrunners. Today, we breakdown Crispus Attucks.
Last Year’s Record: 25-4 (State Champion)
Head Coach: Chris Hawkins
Top Returning Players: Micah Poole (Sr.), Jamal Harris (Sr.), Derrick Briscoe (Sr.), Warren Williams (Jr.), Wesley Williams (Jr.)
Top Departures: Alex Cooley (Graduate), Teyon Scanlan (Graduate), Zac Owens (Graduate), Nike Sibande (Graduate)
New Additions: Harold Bennett (Transfer, Southport), Jaylen Carson (Fr.), Donovan Barnett (Fr.)
Why A Frontrunner: The reason for Attucks being a frontrunner is that they are the defending champion in 3A. It is a team that did graduate a lot but they also played a lot so with Micah Poole, Jamal Harris, Derrick Briscoe, and the Williams twins, they have guys that have played key minutes on a Championship team. They have that experience coming back. They also have some key incoming players as Harold Bennett makes the move over from Southport and can be a big lead guard with speed. You also get a pair of freshman in Jaylen Carson and Donovan Barnett who are among the better freshman in the state and both are 6’5+ and will give this team much needed size in the post. A lot will depend on their ability to develop those freshman and run their style of offense. No one player on this team scares you but as a group, they could run teams out of the gym most nights.
Outlook: The outlook for Attucks will be murky early as they are a much different group than last season. However, if things come together and they can play the way they need to, they should be really tough to match up with. The issue they have is that tough Sectional with teams like Brebeuf Jesuit, Cardinal Ritter, and Broad Ripple all as potential winners. Getting through that will be as difficult a Sectional as any in the state. Once out of Sectionals, things open up in Regionals with the more difficult challenges being Tri-West or Danville in the first game before a very easy Championship game. Bosse or Evansville Memorial will be waiting in the wings at Semistate. Never and easy path in 3A South and this year will be as difficult as they come. Last year’s team was probably better but they still have the potential to go for back-to-back State Championships.