Open Gym Report: Crispus Attucks High School

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here at Prep Hoops Indiana the fall means it is time to get out to high school open gyms. Indiana High School Basketball teams are now allowed two on court days a week and we take that opportunity to start previewing the upcoming season. Thursday evening's trip to Crispus Attucks High School finished off a trio of visits on the day after taking in Cathedral before school and Franklin earlier in the afternoon. I've also been to Fishers, North Central, Avon, Connersville, and Kokomo over the last two weeks. Let's dive on in and get to know a little more about the Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Roster Breakdown</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach Chris Hawkins took over at Crispus Attucks High School and immediately won a state championship. He followed it up with a sectional championship and regional championship in the next two seasons. Since then, the Tigers have won just two sectional games in three seasons including a first round exit last year. We know Sectional 10 is a gauntlet and that won't be changing anytime soon. However, Attucks has an excellent collection of young talent and will look to compete with anyone in the Indianapolis area and beyond in 2022-2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite graduating their top two scorers from a year ago, there is some cautious optimism around the Crispus Attucks program. A lot of that stems from having started two freshmen for much of last season in point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1297004' first='Chris' last='Hurt'] and 6'8" center [player_tooltip player_id='1297019' first='Dezmon' last='Briscoe']. Now, both are a year older, much improved, and ready to expand their roles in every facet of the game. Briscoe's development is especially impressive. The big man has gotten stronger, displays some advanced back to the basket scoring ability, and can even stretch the floor out to three-point range at times. Purdue head coach Matt Painter was in the gym to evaluate the young big man on Thursday evening. Central Michigan head coach Tony Barbee along with assistants from Butler and Toledo were also in the gym watching the talented Tigers workout. Briscoe averaged 6.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game as a freshman while Hurt led the team with 4.3 assists per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top returning scorer from last season is junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1275771' first='Ron' last='Rutland III'] who averaged 8.5 points a year ago. The 6'1" athletic guard has played his way into offers from IUPUI and UIndy recently after a strong summer on the AAU circuit. Rutland III is ranked as the #11 prospect in the Class of 2024 by Prep Hoops Indiana and will be a primary candidate for the Indiana Junior All-Star. His outside shooting presence will really help to space the floor for the Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2282375' first='Jacson' last='Payton'], who averaged 5.1 points per game last season, will be a primary piece for the Tigers once again. Expectations are also high for sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1534943' first='Julian' last='Norwood'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1539455' first='DeAndre' last='Lott']. Norwood is a smooth left-handed guard that will provide some additional floor spacing and scoring ability. Lott is a 6'4" "3-and-D" type of player who Coach Hawkins will task with defending the opponent's best guy. Both of these players are ready for major varsity roles this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out the rotation will be junior point guard Rishon Butts and sophomore wing Trey Davis. Butts is small, but super quick and will be a nice change of pace option to get the tempo really moving when he is in there. Davis has good size and length on the wing, shoots it well from the perimeter, and will use his athleticism to make an impact on both ends of the floor. Both will likely make an impact for Tigers as will junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1275781' first='Demetrius' last='Jenkins'] when he returns from an ACL injury. He averaged 5 points per game as a rotation player as a sophomore and is expected back sometime in mid-January.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Outlook</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future is bright for Crispus Attucks. Whether they are ready or not to truly compete for a Sectional 10 championship this year remains to be seen, but with a rotation scattered with sophomores and juniors there is plenty of optimism for the next couple of years. The Tigers have valuable experience returning in the "Big 3" of Rutland, Briscoe, and Hurt along with some other pieces that are ready to make a leap. If everything clicks for this group they could really surprise some people around the Indianapolis area this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->