Open Gym Notebook: Cathedral
The month of September brings with it the beginning of open gym season. Over the next month-plus, we will be out on the road checking in on different high school programs from around the state. Here are our notes from our trip to Cathedral.
Last Season: This past season was the first for new head coach Jason Delaney. It was a bit of a rollercoaster but in all, he won 15 games and was able to throw some big wins in there. They lost in an extremely tough Sectional to a very talented North Central squad.
Biggest Changes: The biggest changes from last year is the addition of Fishers (IN) transfer Armaan Franklin. The junior prospect exploded this summer and just deepens a roster that already had guys like Ross Welch and Justin Hensley take big steps forward in their game. They are now one of the deepest and most talented teams in the state and Delaney already has two State Titles to help guide them to the end.
Player To Watch: James Franklin (Jr.) – The guys everyone should be watching, for multiple reasons, is junior guard James Franklin. He just got done with brain surgery to help improve his medical condition and from our trip the other day, he looks like he’s ahead of schedule. If he can get back to full strength sometime during the season, he will be a game changer for this team, another piece to the puzzle. It’s going to be really hard not to root for him as the season goes on.
New Face On Roster: Armaan Franklin (Jr.) – Armaan was actually at Cathedral as a freshman and missed his sophomore year as he transferred to Fishers. He’s gotten so much better and is likely going to be the best talent on this roster when it is all said and done. He brings more versatility on the wing with an improved offensive game.
Expectations: The expectations for this season are, well they are high. They have the ability to win a state title in 4A. They have to go South which means they have to take down New Albany or however takes them out and that isn’t easy. However, Their Sectional isn’t nearly as difficult as it was a year ago but plenty of teams will make it difficult to get a long run in including State Champion, Ben Davis. If this team can become more cohesive than it was a year ago, players buy in, the talent is easily there to do some serious damage this year.