VEEDERSBURG — The Fountain Central boys’ basketball team has the returning veterans and scoring load to compete in 2020-21.
Led by their top three scorers from last season in seniors Andrew Shabi and Carson Eberly and sophomore Mason Larkin, third-year coach Phil Shabi is confident the Mustangs can improve on their 10-15 record from last season.
“Shabi, Eberly, and Larkin all have potential to be strong scorers for our team this year,” Shabi said. “Naturally, when you return the amount of senior experience that we do, expectations increase for everyone. Leveraging that experience and being mentally tough competitors can allow us to take a huge step forward this season.”
Shabi averaged 13.3 points per game as a junior, while Every added 9.8 and Larkin chipped in 8.4 as a freshman.
The Mustangs will also look to returning seniors Colton Robinson, Cole Kirkpatrick, and Cody Linville, who averaged a combined 12.4 points per game as juniors and all started games at some point in the season.
Shabi expects to lean heavily on that experience.
“Our strengths are experience, perimeter shooting, and leadership,” he said. “Right now, we are trying to develop a competitive edge defensively and chemistry. Those are weak points for us early in the season.”
Juniors Imanol Barradas, Seth Martin and Carter Merryman, along with sophomore Luke Foxworthy and freshman Will Harmon will all look to contribute for the Mustangs.
Fountain Central opened the season with a 67-45 win over Purdue Poly North, but will be idle until hosting Wabash River Conference foe Riverton Parke on Dec. 11 due to COVID-19 concerns.
Shabi says the Mustangs will reach their goals if they are playing their best basketball entering March.
“Our goals include improving everyday, being connected and unselfish as a team on both ends of the floor, and playing our best basketball at the end of the season,” he said.
