3A Frontrunners: Culver Academies
The season is getting closer and closer and we are starting to dive into the rosters and Sectionals that will help to determine who are the top competition for each class. Today, we take a look into 3A and the frontrunners. Today, we breakdown Culver Academies.
Last Year’s Record: 21-3 (Regional Semifinals)
Head Coach: Mark Galloway
Top Returning Players: Ethan Brittain-Watts (Jr.), Trey Galloway (So.), Nick Hittle (So.), Deontae Craig (So.)
Top Departures: Ignas Maiulionis (Graduate), Jamarrio Rule (Graduate)
New Additions: N/A
Why A Frontrunner: For Culver, they have such a strong young core and they all have experience and have had success to this point. They won 21 games last year and they won their Sectional playing mostly underclassmen. Now, they graduate two key players but they have guys ready to go that can step into their place as we start the year. The backcourt of Ethan Brittain-Watts and Trey Galloway is one of the best in the state. They will put up a ton of points. They also have two key players in the front court as Deontae Craig is one of the more versatile players you will find. Can play on the wing and in the paint and is a strong rebounder. Hittle has really improved as well and will provide great size inside. They have all the pieces they need to be good and a easy path to success this year.
Outlook: Culver has a solid Sectional with really only Mishawka Marian as the team to be concerned with. They should be able to take this Sectional again as an all-around better team that last season. Their Regional would end up being much easier than Sectional likely and they shouldn’t have too much of a problem with a Griffith or West Lafayette. In Semistate, they could meet a team like New Castle. That is when things could get tough as New Castle is one tough out but Culver might be the more experienced group as they have a brutal schedule this season. Could see them on the low, finishing their season with just a Sectional and Regional Championship, and at the high with a State Title. Have plenty of pieces to get it done.