RECRUITING

High school basketball Preseason Fab 15: No. 8 Lawrence Central

Kyle Neddenriep
IndyStar
Lawrence Central's Kyle Guy (24) is a leading candidate for this year's Mr. Basketball.

From now until the beginning of the high school boys basketball season we'll be counting down the Preseason Fab 15, a ranking of the top teams in Central Indiana. We started with No. 9 Fishers, No. 10 Tech, No. 11 Ben Davis, No. 12 Hamilton Southeastern, No. 13 Martinsville, No. 14 Mt. Vernon and No. 15 Pendleton Heights. Next on our list:

No. 8 – Lawrence Central

After Lawrence Central started 0-7 last season and went on to drop nine of its first 10 games, it could have packed it in and fallen apart.

Instead, the Bears rebounded and finished 11-13 under first-year coach Al Gooden. The strong finish serves a catapult going into this season with a number of experienced players coming back.

"Half it was because we played nine of the best teams in the state and half was because we were bringing in a new coach and we had a lot to learn," said senior guard Kyle Guy, who is considered one of the top contenders for IndyStar Mr. Basketball. "It wasn't like we hadn't played together before, but there were a lot of new tactics and new things we had to learn."

Lawrence Central won 10 of 13 before falling 53-48 to eventual sectional champion Lawrence North in the semifinal of Sectional 10. The Bears go into this season looking for their first sectional title in four years, led by the 6-3 Guy, a Virginia recruit.

Guy, a core Junior All-Star last season, averaged 19.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists as a junior. He shot 42 percent from the 3-point line (55-for-132) and was an 85 percent free-throw shooter.

"He's an all-round player," Gooden said of Guy. "He can pass well, he can rebound. I'm looking for him to be more of a leader this season. He leads by example and plays hard. He does a good job with that. It's good to play by example, but I need him to be more vocal. But it's not all Kyle. We have some good pieces."

Guy is joined in the backcourt by longtime friend and teammate Mehki Biffle, a 6-2 senior. Biffle, who recently rescinded a commitment from Marian, averaged 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists as a junior.

Gooden expects more of Biffle this season.

"People are going to love that kid," Gooden said. "He plays hard. He plays both ends of the floor. He's equal intensity on both ends of the floor."

Biffle shot 36 percent from the 3-point line (34-for-94) last season but said the area of his game that has improved the most is his ability to get to the basket. He's been playing with a group of older players in a league at Arlington, which has helped with his physicality.

"Playing against guys who are so physical, I think it makes it a lot easier for finish around the basket," Biffle said. "I want my game to speak volumes. I think going to the basket is definitely my strongest point now. I always felt like I had a good mid-range game, but now getting to the basket I feel unstoppable."

Guy and Biffle are joined by a number of other experienced players. Daveon Bell, a 5-6 point guard, is a returning starter who averaged 4.6 points and 2.8 assists, including a big 13-point, 7-assist, 6-rebound effort against Roncalli. Marlon Sam, a 6-foot junior, averaged 5.5 points and 2.7 rebounds and displayed his potential with a 21-point game in a win over Decatur Central.

"Daveon is a great guard," Biffle said. "He's quick and strong for his size. He has a great IQ and knows how to play the game. Marlon is undersized but he can play inside or outside. Those guys have done a great job."

Biffle also pointed to 6-1 senior Tyrrelle Walker, who played mostly on the junior varsity last season, as a potential impact player. Others with varsity experience are 6-4 senior Nash Griffin (4.8 ppg, 2.7 rebounds) and 6-7 senior Ben Resner (2.5 ppg, 2.3 rebounds). Zach Dunagin, a 5-10 senior, saw a little varsity time last season but could fill a key role as an outside shooter. Eric Ross, a 5-8 senior, adds to the backcourt depth. Eric Easter, a 6-1 junior and transfer from Heritage Christian, could also see time. Gary Gillard, a 6-5 junior, played mostly JV last year.

"We're going to be really hard to guard," Guy said. "We'll be more athletic and bigger and stronger than last year. We'll shoot the ball extremely well. Honestly, I think we'll be a really good defensive team. Coach has been preaching it. If they (the opponent) don't score, we win. That has to be our mindset."

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For Guy, the childhood goals of Mr. Basketball and McDonald's All American are actually attainable. But those individual honors aren't at the forefront of his thoughts as the season nears.

"I'll do everything in my power to win (Mr. Basketball)," he said. "But I'd rather win a state championship. Not a lot of people can say they won a state championship. That's something I very much want to do."

Lawrence Central will have to earn it. The Bears reside in Sectional 10, which also includes Cathedral, Tech, Lawrence North, North Central and Warren Central. There's a solid argument for that group as the toughest in the state.

But if the Bears can get through that field, anything is possible.

"This is a season LC should be remembered by," Biffle said.

Why Lawrence Central could be higher: Is there a better offensive backcourt than Biffle and Guy? Those guys can score with just about anybody. The continuity with so many returning players and Gooden in his second season as coach should allow the Bears to hit the ground running this year. This is probably the best Lawrence Central team since the 2012 team went 17-7 and won the first sectional since 1998.

Why Lawrence Central could be lower: The schedule is just as tough as last year if not more as the Bears will play in the Hall of Fame Classic in New Castle in late December. Probably need to find somebody to score consistently on the interior.

Circle the date: Dec. 9, Lawrence North. This rivalry is as intense as ever. Lawrence North is loaded but the Bears are fully capable of winning. In December, Lawrence Central will also face Carmel, Howe, Cathedral, Pike and Ben Davis, in addition to the Hall of Fame.