Preseason high school basketball Fab 15: No. 15, Ben Davis
From now until the beginning of the high school basketball season, I'll count down the area high school boys basketball Fab 15. We get it started today with No. 15:
NO. 15 -- BEN DAVIS
It was around this time a year ago that Ben Davis coach Mark James said he thought the Giants might "be a year away" from a breakthrough season. Now that the 2014-15 season is nearly here, he stands by that statement.
"Anytime you have five seniors, you should feel pretty good about it," said James, who enters his fourth season at the school and 33rd year overall. "We struggled at times last year and lost five or six games by a possession or two. We could have won 17 or 18 games instead of 11. But if we have chemistry and the right attitude and effort, we should be competitive."
The Giants were the epitome of an up-and-down team last season, never winning more than two in row and never losing more than three in a row to finish 11-9. Three of the losses were in overtime, including a 52-50 setback to Pike in the sectional. A lack of consistent outside shooting hurt the Giants throughout the season.
James' reason for optimism begins with 6-6 senior Brennan Gillis, an IndyStar Indiana Junior All-Star last season. Gillis, also a standout wide receiver on the Ben Davis football team, has played varsity ball since his freshman year and averaged 16.6 points and 4.7 rebounds as a junior. Gillis, a Northern Kentucky recruit, is known for his ability to score around the basket but also shot better than 50 percent from the 3-point line last season.
"We'll probably look to do some different things with (Gillis) this year," James said. "We might move him out and even play him at (small forward). He's a really solid player and does a lot of things people don't notice. He's a quiet leader and a quality person. I call him 'Steady Eddie.'"
Gillis leads a strong senior class. DeShon Tate (7.9 ppg) started every game last season and could play either point guard or shooting as a senior. Stephon Matthews, a 6-2 senior, started over half of the games last season and averaged 5.1 points and 3.2 rebounds. Other seniors are 6-6 Tylor Shane and 6-3 Jason Solomon.
A name to watch is sophomore Datrion Harper, a 6-foot guard who played on the junior varsity team last season. Other sophomores who could come up from the JV team and help this season are 6-4 Josh Brewer and 6-3 LeShaun Minor. The junior class includes 6-1 guard Ian Dieters, 6-3 forward Stori Emerson and 6-6 forward Naeem Freeman. TreVaughn Bush, a 6-2 sophomore, transferred from Pike and could also factor into the mix.
"We're going to be pretty flexible with our lineups this year," James said.
James said there are as many 15 players who could play varsity this season. The veteran coach will construct his practices differently this year due to the competition for playing time. Chris Evans, a standout running back who also played basketball, is not coming out for the team this year, James said.
"Practices will be a lot of fun," James said. "It will be really competitive. I'd say our depth is the best it's been since we've been here."
Why Ben Davis could be higher: With its size and depth, Ben Davis could vastly improve on last year's record. The outside shooting has to be better and should be. Gillis should be in the mix for Indiana All-Stars and should have a big year.
Why Ben Davis could be lower: The schedule is tough and three key players – Gillis, Emerson and Minor – could be playing football deep into November. A knockdown outside shooter or two still needs to emerge.
Circle the date: Dec. 5-6. A Pike-Southport weekend is a tough early-season assignment. Both are also possible opponents in Sectional 11.