Open Gym Notebook: Fort Wayne North Side
Open Gym Notebook: Fort Wayne North Side High School
Last Season
Fort Wayne North Side had one of the best seasons in their longstanding history last year. Lead by senior Jaylen Butz and sophomore Keion Brooks Jr., Coach Khaliq was able to take the team to the State Championship Game. They finished as the state runner-up in the Class of 4A and graduated a major portion of their team with the Class of 2017. Not only did they have a deep post season run, they also one the SAC Holiday Tournament with a win over Homestead in the Championship Game. Davontae Kinnie was one of the leaders for this group at the point guard position and with him left Butz, Quarles, Holmes, and a few other role players from their bench. The only returning starter from last season is Keion Brooks Jr. With a new season ahead, the Legends are looking to get themselves back to the State Championship Game with a different result.
Returners
Keion Brooks Jr. – 6’9” | G | Class of 2019 – Keion Brooks Jr. had a breakout summer on the EYBL Circuit where he climbed the ranking ladder and received countless offers from high major programs. Most recently, Brooks Jr. was offered by Coach Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats. Keion can do it all. He scores at an incredible rate from all three levels of the floor, attacks the glass aggressively and with next level athleticism, and is turning into a leader for the Legends. He dominated at the open gym session last Thursday and looks poised to lead North Side this season. He will be the toughest player to matchup with in the Fort Wayne area because of his length, athleticism, and versatile skill set. He is starting to use his length to impact the game beyond the offensive end.
Brandan Johnson – 6’1” | G | Class of 2018 – Brandan Johnson is coming off a strong summer as well. He was a crucial piece to the success of North Side last season. He brings length, energy, and poise to the guard position. Johnson is a secondary ball handler for this team but really finds success as a slasher getting to the rim. Johnson’s jumper has improved tremendously and was a consistent threat during their open gym games. Brandan is one of the best on-ball defenders in the SAC, if not the state, and has expanded his impact on the game. He rebounds at an elite level for a guard and uses his length to disrupt opposing ball handlers. Johnson currently holds an offer from the University of Saint Francis who was in on Thursday for the open gym session.
Alijah Long – 5’10” | G | Class of 2018 – Alijah Long rotated in and out of the starting lineup last season but was one of the most effective players off the bench for Coach Khaliq last season. He was one of their most consistent threats from deep and likes to get out in the open floor for easy baskets in transition. With all of the guards that graduated, Long may see more time as a ball heavy guard that will give him the opportunity to showcase his skills as a passer. Alijah controlled the open gym session with his jumper, leadership, and point guard tendencies. He got into the teeth of the defense and found open guys throughout the open gym. Long worked well with ball screen action and is looking to be a complete threat for the Legends this year.
Jordan Moore – 5’10” | G | Class of 2020 – Jordan Moore was a primary ball handler that came off the bench last season. He is a strong bodied guard who does well keeping his center of gravity low and attacking hips on offense. He is a true point guard as he looks to distribute the wealth before finding his own offense. Moore has improved his jumper from deep which will create more openings for him and his teammates this season. He consistently looks to attack the basket and with all the weapons he has around him this season, will find success as a distributor. Jordan is also a tough nosed defender that uses his feet and body positioning to bother opposing guards and create turnovers that disrupt to offense.
Nate Carbaugh – 6’4” | W/F | Class of 2018 – Nate Carbaugh was another guy that rotated in and out of the starting lineups last season depending on the matchup but never failed to bring energy to the floor. Nate is an undersized forward that mixes it up well on the offensive glass. He is always moving and creating motion on the offensive end and is a great off-ball screener. He can knock down the long ball with enough regularity to make the defense respect him but thrives when hitting the offensive glass for easy put backs. Nate will need to bring energy and hustle every night for the Legends this season and will need to own his role as a primary rebounder and secondary scoring option.
Newcomers
Lucas Kroft – 6’4” | G/W | Class of 2019 – Lucas Kroft has the opportunity to have a breakout junior season playing along some of the best players in the state. He transferred in from Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian this past summer and is already having an impact on the identity of the Legends. He and Keion battled possession after possession at the open gym session. Lucas looked good shooting the ball from deep and finished well at the basket when he attacked the rim. Kroft has next level athleticism and can rebound with the best of them in the state. With Kroft and Keion on the wings for the Legends, they may be the most dynamic team in the state when it comes to outside shooting and athleticism attacking the basket. Look for Lucas Kroft to turn some heads this season and break into the recruiting scene in a hurry. Kroft currently holds offers from Youngstown State and Holy Cross and is creating interest from high majors.
Austin Boucher – 6’1” | G | Class of 2018 – Austin Boucher is a Fort Wayne native that transferred back to the city from Maryland where he played last season. Boucher is another strong guard that this team will have to create scoring opportunities for the Legends endless scoring threats. Austin is a knock down shooter from deep and uses his length extremely well attacking the basket and finishing around the rim. He was sitting out during the open gym session with an ankle injury that he was treating. Austin will be one of the primary ball handlers for Coach Khaliq and the Legends this season and will help lead them deep into the post season.
Andrew Kroft – 6’1” | G/W | Class of 2021 – Andrew Kroft is the younger of the Kroft brothers that transferred to North Side this summer but will be an impact guy on varsity this year. The freshman guard finds good success floating to the deep corner on drives and was hitting the long ball with good success during the open gym session. Andrew has good length at the guard position and is showing improvements in his athleticism. He is developing into a complete scorer by adding a slashing identity to his offensive game but currently looks to stretch the floor. Kroft mixes it up down low and doesn’t back down from any challenges as a learning freshman. He will get some minutes off the bench this year but will be a player to watch moving forward.
Jalen Causey – 5’11” | G | Class of 2020 – Jalen Causey is another guard this is transferring in to North Side from another high school. Causey played for Fort Wayne Bishop Luers last season and learned from a few of the areas top guards. Causey is another player that can be a ball heavy guard for the Legends and will add another scoring outlet to an already versatile offensive team. Jalen wasn’t at the open gym session but will be a great piece for Coach Khaliq to work into the rotation this season.
Looking Forward
With Keion Brooks Jr., Lucas Kroft, and Austin Boucher leading the way for the Legends, they are looking to have another standout season. Brandan Johnson, Alijah Long, and Keion Brooks Jr. all bring experience and poise to the roster having been deep into the post season and playing at the highest levels during the summer season. The wealth of newcomers and scoring will help propel this team to some big time wins this season. With a drastically new roster, Coach Khaliq is focused on developing chemistry early on in the season that will build throughout the year. The coaching staff is also working on instilling the North Side way of playing defense and playing with high energy throughout the game.