SHARPSVILLE — They’re still young, and the experiences of a 17-game losing streak and 4-18 season haunt their memories. But that was then and this is now. A season of bumps and bruises have made them wiser, and all eyes are on a new beginning.

Coach Jeff Layden, entering his third Tri-Central boys basketball campaign after seasons of 12-8 and 4-18, feels much better about his 2008-09 squad although it has but two seniors, 5-foot-11 guard Austin Burton and 6-3 forward Kevin Ray, and one junior, 6-0 Evan Zahn.

Burton averaged 8.7 points per game and Ray managed 2.7 per tilt in an 2007-08 season in which TC averaged 53 points per game while surrendering 63. Burton did have 59 assists; Ray 64 rebounds and 21 steals, and Zahn spent the season on the Trojan JV squad.

The Trojans lost only two via graduation, Justin and Jordan Huddleston. Justin averaged 16.7 and was the top 3-point shooter (56-185) and leader in assists (93) and steals (88), while brother Jordan managed 7.2 and was the No. 2 rebounder (104).

The good news is the Trojans have eight promising sophomores, two of whom started as freshmen and played in all 22 games — 6-5 Robby Howell and 6-3 Brock Tew; another who was involved in 20 games, 6-3 Jacob Baird, and one who played in 12 contests, 6-3 Jake King. The other sophomores are 6-0 Leighton Adair, 6-0 Jake Robertson, 6-3 Eric Haak and 5-9 Trever Davis.

Tew scored 203 points and had 99 rebounds; Howell had 146 points and 110 rebounds and Ray scored just 61 points but took only 59 shots over the span of 22 outings.

The Trojans lost five games by 19 total points — four to Elwood and Cass; three to Clinton Central, Carroll and Liberty Christian and two to Madison-Grant. The inability to take control in the final minutes cost TC, but the Trojans were also outrebounded by nine per game and averaged 17 errors per outing. Toss in 38 percent shooting (28 percent on 3-pointers) and meager .668 free throw shooting, and a 4-18 finish against a schedule involving 11 Class 2A and 7 Class 3A teams is understandable.

“We have four starters returning,” Layden said, “but with eight sophomores we’re still awfully young. The difference is the kids have a better understanding of what we expect and want to do; more confidence and after a good summer are showing more savvy and making better decisions with the ball. The chemistry is also much better.

“We spent most of our time teaching last year and were constantly reviewing. The kids didn’t understand the physical aspect and got knocked around. Now they know, and they’re back bigger, stronger and more aggressive. Ray, Howell, Tew, King, Baird and Haak have been pushing each other, and that’s a good sign.”

The leadership will fall to Burton and Ray. But Layden thinks Howell, Tew and Baird should step up and be more responsible.

Layden says his team’s depth is improved.

“We’re looking at a pretty solid seven or eight players,” he said, referring to probable starters Burton, Ray, Howell, Tew and Baird. But Adair and Davis are good two-guard possibilities and Robertson, King and Haak need only to assert themselves more.

Layden is looking to run more, but to run is to rebound.

“You can’t run or win if you can’t rebound. We gave up too many second and third shots last year.” The Trojans will add a few new offensive wrinkles, but the game will still boil down to basics and execution.

There will be one change in the schedule with Lapel replacing Lakewood Christian — that game being played in Conseco Fieldhouse at 2:45 p.m. on Dec. 27 as part of an Ivy Tech Holiday Classic that will also involve Guerin Catholic, Hamilton Heights, Noblesville, Richmond, Lebanon, Tri-West, Delta and Chatard.

TC visits Southwood for a pre-season scrimmage Saturday in preparation for the real war that begins with a Pilgrim Cup visit by Derek Elston and Co. from Tipton on Wednesday and a home bout with Northwestern three nights later.



Tri-Central schedule:

JV games start at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted

Wednesday — Tipton

Nov. 29 — Northwestern, girls-boys DH

Dec. 5 — Taylor

Dec. 6 — at Sheridan

Dec. 13 — at Hamilton Heights

Dec. 20 — Madison-Grant

Dec. 27 — vs. Lapel at Conseco Fieldhouse, 2:45 p.m.

Jan. 2 — at Clinton Central tourney

Jan. 3 — at Clinton Central tourney

Jan. 9 — at Cass

Jan. 13 — at Elwood

Jan. 16 — Rossville

Jan. 23 — at Carroll, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 24 — Western

Jan. 30 — at Liberty Ch., 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 6 — Clinton Central

Feb. 7 — Maconaquah

Feb. 14 — at Lafayette Catholic, 1 p.m.

Feb. 20 — at Clinton Prairie, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 27 — at Eastern