Open Gym Report: Center Grove High School
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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…
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Continue ReadingHere 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. So far, I’ve visited Fishers, North Central, Avon, Connersville, Kokomo, Cathedral, Franklin, Crispus Attucks, Ben Davis, Richmond, Zionsville, Carmel, Bishop Chatard, and Guerin Catholic. After being out of town last week and not making it to any workouts, I was back on the road this week starting at Noblesville on Tuesday morning before hitting Center Grove on Tuesday afternoon. Let’s dive into the Trojans.
Roster Breakdown
The toughest part of playing basketball in the Indianapolis area is that someone has to lose the games. Center Grove has had a lot of success under head coach Zahn Hahn who is 114-85 through eight years at the school with four sectional championships and one semi-state appearance in 2019. However, they fell below .500 at 11-13 last year including six losses by three points or fewer. In the sectional, the Trojans were bounced by Franklin in the championship game. Center Grove returns three talented guards and some versatile size that will likely unlock one of the best offensive teams that Coach Hahn has had on the south side.
Center Grove’s stable of returning guards will provide an excellent launching off point for their offense. 6’3″ senior guard Marcus Ankney Marcus Ankney 6'3" | SG Center Grove | 2023 State IN is an excellent scorer capable of getting a bucket anytime he has the ball in his hands. The Indiana Wesleyan commit handles the ball very well, has a smooth jump shot, and can get all the way to the rack off of the dribble. Love his size and length at the guard position. Ankney will be one of the top scorers on the south side this season. Fellow senior Ethan McComb Ethan McComb 6'1" | SG Center Grove | 2023 State IN provides additional outside as well as secondary playmaking ability. The 6’1″ guard has solid physical strength and is a maker in catch-and-shoot opportunities. Playing two college level guards together is a nice luxury the Trojans will have. Additionally, junior point guard Jalen Bundy Jalen Bundy 5'11" | PG Center Grove | 2024 State IN is back as well and will look to really expand his offensive game. Bundy is a much improved shooter while still possessing the playmaking abilities that he flashed as a sophomore for Center Grove. Lastly, junior Joey Schmitz Joey Schmitz 6'2" | PG Center Grove | 2024 State IN is an excellent playmaker in his own right and has similar “bucket-getting” tendencies of Ankney. He can score it from any spot on the floor and will provide yet another scoring punch for a very talented and potent Trojans backcourt.
A name to get to know heading into this year will be Will Spellman Will Spellman 6'6" | PF Center Grove | 2024 State IN . This 6’5″ junior forward is a totally different player than even just a few months ago. He is a very skilled forward that will stretch the floor out to three-point range, has great passing ability, and will be a focal point of the Trojans half court offense. It is safe to expect an excellent junior season from Spellman. Couldn’t have been more impressive at Tuesday’s workout and Coach Hahn raved about the fall he has had as well.
In the backcourt, junior Dylan Meador and senior Owen Baker are among the guys who will likely round out the Center Grove Rotation. In the front court, junior Peyton Byrd Peyton Byrd 6'7" | PF Center Grove | 2024 State IN and senior Garrett Messer will get minutes and provide additional size and depth. Ben Chesnut will also factor into the Trojans rotation after he finishes up the football season.
Season Outlook
Playing a tough schedule in the Indianapolis area it is never easy to stack up wins. Getting out of the MIC certainly eases up the schedule a little bit, but there is still a lot of tough competition ahead for the Trojans. Center Grove also is in a new sectional field featuring Bloomington North and Bloomington South. It is fair to expect a win-loss improvement for Center Grove this season and they should be among the top contenders in Sectional 13. The returning group of guards gives them a scoring punch and Will Spellman Will Spellman 6'6" | PF Center Grove | 2024 State IN can be a real difference-maker this season. Look for the Trojans to be a sneaky good team in the greater Indianapolis area this winter.