Manual’s senior guards, 6-0 Robert Johnson, left, and 5-10 Keshawn Best, are the only two returnees from last year’s varsity squad.
MANUAL (8-16) – Former Shortridge coach Donnie Bowling takes helm, succeeding second-generation coach Ryan Baumgartner … wants to bring back the echoes and crowds to famed Manual Fieldhouse, home of twin Mr. Indiana Basketball honorees Tom and Dick VanArsdale … only returning seniors are point guard Kehsawn Best, who has potential to be leading scorer, and shooting guard Robert Johnson, the returning scoring leader … 6-4 junior Couvesier McCauley (14 ppg), a transfer from Shortridge, provides more scoring punch … 6-10 center Tristan Popa, home-schooled from Noblesville, adds size and shooting ability … most versatile player is 6-5 junior Cameron Simbley … junior Riley McMahon and 6-8 sophomore Ali Ali-quarashey add depth … Redskins open at home tonight against Beech Grove.
Coach’s comments: “This group is very coachable, and I like their athletic ability and size. We have two returning players and they were well-coached, especially with what we expect of them this season. We have those two veterans and a group of players who need to learn to work together. Defensively we want to pressure our opponents into taking bad shots. I used a 1-3-1 at Shortridge, which they have used here. I expect us to play a lot of man-to-man. On offense we want to be patient and take good shots. These players know of the basketball legacy here, but we have a long way to go.”
Coach’s comments: “This group is very coachable, and I like their athletic ability and size. We have two returning players and they were well-coached, especially with what we expect of them this season. We have those two veterans and a group of players who need to learn to work together. Defensively we want to pressure our opponents into taking bad shots. I used a 1-3-1 at Shortridge, which they have used here. I expect us to play a lot of man-to-man. On offense we want to be patient and take good shots. These players know of the basketball legacy here, but we have a long way to go.”
Manual boasts height in 6-4 junior Couvesier McCauley, 6-10 senior Tristan Popa and 6-5 Cameron Sembley.
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