The Kegerreis brothers, senior Luke, left, and junior Drew, played several games together as a 1-2 punch on Roncalli’s basketball team, their first year together with the varsity Royals.
(SOUTHSIDE PHOTOS BY AL STILLEY)
| By Al Stilley Editor When the current high school boys’ basketball season began, brothers Luke and Drew Kegerreis finally could look forward to playing together on the varsity team for the first time at Roncalli High School. Luke, a senior, had logged two full varsity seasons and led the team in scoring in 11 of 22 games last year. Younger brother Drew logged more games last year with the JV team with just a few minutes with the varsity. “This was something we were really looking forward to. We got to play one season of soccer together (last year) and that this season (basketball) would be our last one together,” said Drew, who prefers basketball over soccer. They played together for the Royals’ first six games before Luke sat out four games with the bothersome ankle that he tweaked earlier against Perry Meridian. They played a few more games together before Luke aggravated the ankle against Greenwood, forcing him to end his senior hardwood season. “We were really looking forward to finishing out the season together,” Drew said. They were the 1-2 scorers with Luke averaging 13.8 points and Drew at 13.5 points. Luke is now on the sidelines cheering his younger brother and Royals’ teammates onward. Born 14 months apart, they are the sons of Keith and Sarah (Hurrle) Kegerreis. “It was really cool for them to see us play basketball in the same season,” Luke said. “It was inspiring, especially with mom; she’s someone we can look up to as a role model.” Drew added, “Mom and dad have inspired us. Mom went to Roncalli and played college basketball (Butler and Western Michigan) and dad played soccer (Trine). They have been big on us in academics and sports.” The good news for Luke is that the ankle will be healed in time to play spring soccer for the Indy 11 U19 team that travels to Tampa Bay in March and for the Indy Fire. Luke played for the Indy 11 U19 team that won its division and qualified for nationals in California where they finished fourth after not losing any matches until the final day. He will continue playing soccer collegiately at Xavier University. The brothers are part of a historic transition in Royals basketball as 15-year assistant coach Jamin Wernke succeeded 20-year head coach Michael Wantz. “Their styles are a little different and some things changed,” Luke said. “We wanted as many possessions as possible on offense, more shots, and feeding our big man (Trevor Lauck). We believe in our abilities.” “We wanted to emphasize different things in practices and games, but take the program in a bit of a new direction, but to continue on with what coach Wantz built,” Wernke said. “We played all zone against North Central and against Pike in the county tourney and have played zone 100 percent since then,” Wernke added. “We’re undefeated when we’ve had everybody healthy.” The Royals (8-10) move forward with Drew, Tunny, and Lauck and guards Shaun Byrne and Judd Selke. Tunny’s role is interchangeable between the wing and point on offense. “AAU ball helped me in the transition; I can see the court better from the point,” Tunny said. “It’s up to me to get the ball moving. I’m here to make the team better; I’ve embraced the challenge.” Tunny, a 6-2 junior, can play multiple positions. He is averaging 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and leads in assists. The Tunny name is familiar to Southsiders with the success of his cousins at the nearby Speedrome paved race track. “The family is big in racing there, and that’s a great thing,” Tunny said. “But I want my last name to be know for my contributions here (football and basketball).” Tunny will play football for the University of Indianapolis in the fall. The Royals have four games left before the sectionals begin. Wernke concluded, “We are building toward the post-season with a lot of conference games. Everything we want to accomplish is in front of us.” |  Senior Nolan Tunny is among many Royals who can play multiple positions.  First-year Royals coach Jamin Wernke (RHS Class of 2002) served as a 15-year assistant coach before succeeding coach Michael Wantz this season. |
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