By Bryan Bloodworth
BLOOMINGTON – Central Catholic boys basketball coach Jason Welch knows there could be some rough going in the early part of the season, but the 10th-year coach likes what could be ahead for the Saints.
“Early there could be some rough spots,” said Welch. “But we certainly expect to go in and compete and I think as the year progresses you’re going to see a nice basketball team. We do have some experience coming back, but last year we graduated some seniors who scored the ball.”
PODCAST: Listen to Welch interview here
The Saints lost John Rave, the team’s leading scorer at 15.8 points per game and 3-point shooter, along with running mate Jake Baughman (14.1) and inside man Jacob Gilmore.
“There are some opportunities to have some people step up in different roles, so that’s exciting,” added Welch. “Offensively we have to find out who’s going to step up when the popcorn is popping. It will be fun to see that evolve.
“Our guard play will be one of the strengths of this team. We have some kids who can really handle it, shoot it, get up and down the floor.”
Returnees Matt Barnes, Garrett Holman, JP Sikora, Harry Egbers and Will Costigan are seniors and gained experience a year ago. Juniors Austyn Elilson and Eli Davs should see action as well.
And what are Welch’s expectations for a team that is competing in its final season of the Corn Belt Conference?
“The Corn Belt Conference year-in and year-out is a tough conference in the sense that you play one at home and one away,” he said. “Any time you do that it’s a grinder. That’s definitely on our radar to try and compete in the Corn Belt and see if we can get a piece of it or all of it.
“But the big thing is that you want to play your best basketball at the end of the season.”
Bryan Bloodworth can be reached at [email protected]
