High school basketball Preseason Fab 15: No. 13, HSE

From now until the beginning of the high school basketball season, I'll count down the area high school boys basketball Fab 15.

No. 15 --Ben Davis

No. 14 --Guerin Catholic

We continue today with No. 13:

NO. 13 – HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN

A year ago, some expected a letdown for a Hamilton Southeastern program a season removed from back-to-back IndyStar Indiana Mr. Basketball winners (Gary Harris in 2012 and Zak Irvin in 2013).

It didn't happen. The Royals went 23-4 and won a sectional for the third time in program history, coming within a 59-57 loss to Homestead of winning a regional title for the first time.

HSE did it – ending Carmel's two-year reign as Class 4A champion – with a fantastic shooting team that went 243-for-571 (42.6 percent) from the 3-point line. But gone to graduation are guards Eric Davidson (18.7 ppg, 3.5 assists, 84-for-156 from 3), Tyler Jenkins (11.8 ppg, 3.4 assists) and Mason Hankins (3.6 ppg) and forwards Brendan Burns (7.7 ppg, 6.0 rebounds) and Grant Leach (4.8 ppg).

"The senior class was special," HSE coach Brian Satterfield said. "We had great leadership and the chemistry was special. The biggest challenge we have this year is to develop that chemistry again."

Satterfield has one of the state's most-talented sophomores returning in Zach Gunn. The 6-7 forward, who has an offer from Indiana, averaged 11.7 points and 5.3 rebounds as a freshman and shot 45 percent (44-for-98) from the 3-point line.

Gunn went head-to-head with players like Tech's Trey Lyles and Homestead's Caleb Swanigan last season. He benefitted offensively last year from HSE's ability to spread the floor and shoot from the perimeter.

"The biggest thing we've had him do is work on his versatility," Satterfield said. "I think it'll be a little bit of a learning curve for him because teams will be keying on him and trying to stop him. That's going to be one thing he's going to have to battle through."

Gunn has been working on his versatility, as he could be asked to be more of a ballhandler as a sophomore.

"I'll probably be playing all over the court," Gunn said.

While Gunn admits it'll be different for him this year as he becomes a focal point for opposing defenses, he expects to have plenty of help. The senior class includes 5-11 guard Tyler Janney (2.2 ppg, 1.7 assists), 6-3 forward Chris Ford (6.3 ppg, 1.9 rebounds), 6-3 senior forward Ty Scholl (2.8 ppg, 1.7 rebounds), who are all football players. Other seniors are 6-1 Tindley transfer DeAndre Johnson, 6-5 forward Herman "Tiger" Guillory and 6-7 forward Francis Ehigbai.

Satterfield said beyond the four players with the most experience, there could be up to 12 players vying for time.

"We have to figure out who can get in there and gel together on both ends of the court," he said. "Those four lettermen will be ready to step into their roles. After that we'll have 10-12 guys who could be fighting for minutes."

In the junior class, 5-10 guard J.D. Bembry, 6-foot guard Greg Miller, 6-4 forward Jaylon Tapplar and 6-3 forward Carter Poiry could all see time. In addition to Gunn, other sophomores who could contribute are 5-8 guard Jack Davidson, 6-3 forward Brock Burns, 5-10 guard Austin Holzum and 6-foot guard Conner Rotterman. Brennan Schofield, a 6-6 freshman, is also a potential contributor.

"We were kind of up-and-down this summer but we have a good group and a lot of talent," Gunn said. "I think we could play a lot of different ways depending on the five who are out there."

Why Hamilton Southeastern could be ranked higher: Gunn has been through the rigors of a season with a 4A sectional champion and should be that much better for it. The senior class has guys who have been solid role players in Ford, Janney and Scholl. The addition of Johnson could be big.

Why Hamilton Southeastern could be ranked lower: The team looked a little disjointed at times this summer as guys step into new roles. The 3-point shooting won't be nearly as strong.

Circle the date: Dec. 5-6. Games against Avon and at Pendleton Heights will be a good test. It will be interesting to see how the Royals navigate the early schedule (Lake Central, Avon, Pendleton Heights, Warren Central, North Central and Fishers) with so many new players and several coming off of football season.