NEW MARKET — Southmont won just four boys’ basketball games last season, and the Mounties lost their top two scorers to graduation. While most people might write the Mounties off, they believe improvement is right around the corner.
“Our kids have worked extremely hard this offseason to improve,” third-year coach Jake Turner said. “I’m sure people are doubting us due to the fact that we only won four games last year, and lost our two leading scorers, but the returning guys have worked really hard this offseason and they are hungry for success.”
The Mounties do return sophomores Logan Oppy and Avery Saunders, who saw playing time as freshmen, and are expected to make big jumps this season.
“Avery Saunders and Logan Oppy, who both lettered as freshmen last year,” Turner said. “Have grown literally and figuratively. They’ve really worked on their games and improved. They will play big roles for us.”
Freshman Carson Chadd is expected to big part of the Mountie’s team this season, and help fill a void on both ends of the floor. Southmont scored just 39.8 points per game last year, and Turner knows they will have to rely on defense to be competitive.
“The biggest key for us this season is embracing a defensive mindset,” he said. “If we take pride in our defense and consistently getting stops, then I think we can have some success.”
Juniors Luke Gregg and Austin Bowman both return as starters for South as well.
“We expect big things out of them,” Turner said. “They showed glimpses of what they are capable of last year, but I expect them to be more consistent this year.”
Turner also says junior Cale Hess is also expected to regularly work into the rotation this season.
Leadership will be another key for the Mounties in 2019-20, and that’s where returning seniors Conner McVay and Drew Glancy step in. Reese Long is also back out for his senior season after taking last year off.
“I feel like we have a good group of kids who like being around each other and playing with each other and that will show on the court,” Turner said.
Southmont opens the season tonight at 7:30 p.m. at home against South Vermillion.
Date Opponent Time
Nov. 26 South Vermillion 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 27 North Putnam 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 6 at North Montgomery ‡ 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 7 at Cloverdale 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 13 Danville ‡ 8 p.m.
Dec. 14 at Greencastle 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 20 at Western Boone ‡ 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 21 North Vermillion 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 10 Sugar Creek Classic TBD.
Jan. 11 Sugar Creek Classic TBD
Jan. 17 at Seeger 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 18 at Riverton Parke 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 24 at Covington 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 Crawfordsville ‡ 8 p.m.
Jan. 31 Lebanon ‡ 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 6 at Tri-West ‡ 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 8 at Attica 1:30 p.m.
Feb. 13 Fountain Central 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 21 at Frankfort ‡ 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 25 at Parke Heritage 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 28 at Indianapolis Scecina 7:30 p.m.
March 3 IHSAA Sectional at Southmont TBD
‡Sagamore Conference game
