[bennieporter]

Info on Lawrence North:

LN comes in with only one loss.

It's rare that a team finishes with a 25-3 record and it feels like a disappointment. Yet that was the case last year at Lawrence North, which saw its state title hopes derailed with a stunning 49-36 loss to Franklin Central at Hinkle Fieldhouse in a Class 4A regional championship.

It wasn't so much that the Wildcats lost, but how it happened. Purdue recruit Patrick Bade dominated a Lawrence North team that featured seven players 6-7 or taller. Veteran coach Jack Keefer's team self-destructed offensively in an uninspired effort that was a 180-degree turnaround from the sectional championship win over North Central the previous week.

But ... it's a new year. Through graduation and defections, Lawrence North is no longer taller than most NBDL teams. Stephan Van Treese, a 6-9 forward and Indianapolis Star Indiana All-Star, is playing at Louisville. Also gone to graduation are guards Alanzo Bass and Larry Smith. Highly-regarded prospects Dominique Ferguson and Justin Martin also defected over the summer, each leaving for East Coast prep schools.

So, who's left? To start, 6-10 junior Michael Chandler and 6-5 Ryan Taylor, both Louisville recruits. Keefer believes this roster - despite the exodus of so much talent - may be more conducive to a tournament run. With so much talent on last year's team, sometimes one basketball wasn't enough.

"We weren't mentally tough night in and night out," Keefer said. "We could get up for a game. We beat North Central twice and were the only team to beat them. But not night after night. I think these kids have a little bit more toughness. It'll fit together quite well. It's easier to put a team together when they know who the stars are and you know who the stars are. Last year we didn't know who the star was because every one of them wanted to be the star and there was no pecking order. This year you have Michael and Ryan and the others are going to fill in the gaps. It just kind of fits."

Chandler played mostly on the junior varsity team, but showed flashes of potential when he got a chance. In a late February win over Pike, he scored 18 points. Now, he becomes "the man" in the paint for the Wildcats. He plans on becoming a "dominant player" as a junior.

"I want to do everything it takes to win games whether it's block shots, rebound, hit free throws or whatever," he said. "I need to be able to take over games. I'm not a selfish player, but I want to be a dominant player."

Keefer has been impressed with Chandler's progression.

"I was stacked up with guys last year who had to play and in reality he was as good as they were," he said. "You just can't not play a senior. He's hungry and he knows what he has to do. I think he and Taylor are as good as there are around, really."

Taylor is an athletic wing who attacks the basket off the dribble and is a strong offensive rebounder. He rarely shot from beyond the 3-point line, but has improved that aspect of his game.

"He'd always drive around you in the past instead of shooting it," Keefer said. "His jump shot is good. He's been told to shoot and he will."

Guard play was inconsistent last season and figures to again be a question mark heading into the season. Farooq Muhammad, a 6-foot senior who saw sporadic playing time last season, is penciled in as the starting point guard. Keefer said Muhammad has been a steady influence through the summer and had shown he's capable of hitting the outside shot.

"At Lawrence North you expect to win and even when you go 25-3, it's disappointing if you don't win the state championship," Muhammad said. "I see my role as keeping these guys focused on that goal. I think my decision-making is a big key. Last year I didn't play that much, but my coaches have been working with me and I'm making better decisions."

Rick Thomas will likely start at the other guard sport. Thomas, a 6-2 junior, led the junior varsity team in scoring last year. At small forward, the projected starter is Perrin Ashley, a 6-3 senior. Ashley is capable of hitting the outside shot, a weakness for last year's squad.

"There's only three seniors so I need to be a leader and keep us on the right path," Ashley said. "I'm the shooter on the team so that's what I need to be able to do. Last year I wasn't playing too much, but this year I'll have a chance to step up and play my game. I worked out all summer and feel good about my senior year."

Eric Harris, a 6-1 junior, is also expected to see minutes at guard. His younger brother, 6-foot sophomore Eron Harris, could also play some on varsity.

Senior Stephen Radford and juniors Tyler Bibbs and Brandon Muncie will likely all see time. A key could be the development of 5-10 sophomore DaVeon "Petey" Balls, who probably back up Muhammad at point guard. Keefer calls Balls a "gym rat."

There is a feeling of starting fresh after the way last season ended and the somewhat ugly departure of Ferguson and Martin. There is less experience, but probably more athleticism at the guard spot.

"This group we have together seems like it's going to come together pretty well," Muhammad said. "We don't have as many egos. Everybody here knows their role this year."

Why Lawrence North could be ranked higher: Chandler has the potential to be the most dominant big man in the state. Other than inexperience, there aren't many holes in his game. He can run the floor, go left or right and make free throws. Taylor was probably underappreciated on last year's team. Other than Van Treese, he was one of the few Wildcats to get to the glass regularly. He'll have a chance to thrive with Ferguson and Martin elsewhere.

Why Lawrence North could be ranked lower: Chandler and Taylor were just pieces to the puzzle last year. Now they will be asked to carry the load, something they haven't done before. Can the Wildcats beat a sagging zone defense this year? The guards are unproven. Realistically, this team might be a year away.