Open Gym Report: Richmond High School
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Here at Prep Hoops Indiana the fall means it is time to get out to high school open gyms. Indiana High School Basketball teams are now allowed two on court days a week and we take that opportunity to start…
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Continue ReadingHere at Prep Hoops Indiana the fall means it is time to get out to high school open gyms. Indiana High School Basketball teams are now allowed two on court days a week and we take that opportunity to start previewing the upcoming season. Through the first two weeks of my journey across the state I visited Fishers, North Central, Avon, Connersville, Kokomo, Cathedral, Franklin, and Crispus Attucks. To begin the third week of travels I took in a workout at Ben Davis High School on Monday afternoon and then made the short trip from my house to Richmond High School on Wednesday afternoon. Let’s dive into what the Red Devils have going into this season.
Roster Breakdown
Richmond High School alum Billy Wright is back for his second year at the helm after a 10-15 season. Headlining his returning group is a pair of very talented sophomores who ranked in the top 30 of the class by Prep Hoops Indiana. Sophomore point guard Mason Carpenter was the Red Devils second leading scorer a year ago averaging 9.8 points per game. Carpenter had an excellent summer playing up a year with George Hill All Indy and earned his first scholarship offer from IUPUI. His dynamic playmaking ability should be on full display this season. His classmate Cedric Horton Cedric Horton 6'4" | SG Richmond | 2025 State #321 Nation IN is a 6’3″ wing that is also coming off of a breakout summer. After averaging 6.3 points per game as a freshman the super athletic Horton is poised to really make a leap this winter. Look for Richmond’s sophomore duo to be two of the most talented players in east central Indiana this year.
Another returning player that was a major contributor a year ago. Junior wing Ryder Cate averaged 8.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last season for Richmond. The athletic 6’4″ wing will provide some size and length for the Red Devils and looks to be much improved as a three-point shooter. Another guard who looks to be improved from beyond the arc is junior Deante Smith. He will add some ball handling depth behind Carpenter while also spacing the floor when playing off of the ball. If Cate and Smith can shoot a good percentage from beyond the arc it will really open things up for the talented sophomores.
6’1″ athlete Gunner Kovach Gunner Kovach 6'0" | SG Richmond | 2023 IN will provide additional depth and experience. The senior guard averaged 5.1 points per game last season and will be excellent in transition for the Red Devils. Rounding out the rotation for Richmond will be a few football/soccer players who were not in attendance on Wednesday along with some new faces to the varsity lineup. However, we were able to get an early look at the primary core of the 2022-2023 Richmond Red Devils at Wednesday’s workout.
Outlook
The Red Devils have a good chance at an improved season in year two under head coach Billy Wright. Mason Carpenter and Cedric Horton Cedric Horton 6'4" | SG Richmond | 2025 State #321 Nation IN are a year older and ready to make big leaps in their respective sophomore seasons. Bringing back additional contributors like Ryder Cate and Gunner Kovach Gunner Kovach 6'0" | SG Richmond | 2023 IN will give some more veteran leadership to lean upon when the going gets tough as well. The NCC will be competitive as always and Sectional 9 is as tough as it has been in quite awhile in terms of balance and the number of good teams. However, Richmond will have the talented to beat anyone on a given night. That is all you can ask for come tournament time and the Red Devils could be in position to be a dangerous team.