CHARLOTTESVILLE — Things are different around the Eastern Hancock boys basketball program as they enter the 2023-24 season with a new head coach for the first time in 24 years and the graduation of the winningest senior class in school history.
But that doesn’t mean everything has to change.
“This program has been pretty consistent at being fairly successful and then sprinkle in some sectional and regional championships too. I expect us to continue that consistency and that standard that we’ve set over the last 23 years here,” Eastern Hancock first-year head coach Brett Bechtel said. “You’ve got to find different ways to win with different kids but I expect us to move right along.”
If there was ever the right man to help the program move right along, it’s Bechtel. An assistant coach on the varsity team for 23 years and the head junior varsity coach for 22, Bechtel knows better than anyone what’s expected of the Eastern Hancock boys basketball program.
The transition to the head coaching position has been smooth, and being in the program has helped the team hit the ground running.
“It’s an advantage that all the kids have played for me in JV, but we’ve changed some stuff. The summer really helped us do some new things, and those have carried over to now,” Bechtel said. “The kids aren’t experienced when it comes to varsity action, but because they played for me before and over the summer, they know the terminology and things that we are trying to do.”
His first task as head coach has been to find ways to replace one of the strongest senior classes in school history.
Four of the five starters from last season, and the Royals top four scorers, are gone in Jacob Spaulding (17.3 points), Silas Spaulding (13.7 points), Edric Miller (11 points), and Grant Gray (8.5 points)
The four averaged over 50 points per game between them and helped lead the Royals to a 19-7 record.
“There’s a lot of points that are gone. Our strengths are going to be a lot different than what we’ve had the past few years,” Bechtel said. “There’s going to have to be a change in our style of play both offensively and defensively this year.”
Bechtel expects that production to be spread out across this year’s team.
“This group is going to be a lot by committee. I don’t necessarily see someone that’s going to average 18 points night in and night out,” Bechtel said. “This is a group that on a given night there could be a different guy or two that score 12 or 14 points. It’s not going to be one guy, we could have a different leading scorer every night.”
Junior Kayden Ruble (5.6 points and 5.8 rebounds) and senior Luke Morris (3.7 points) are the two returning players with the most varsity experience. Ruble was the team’s other starter last year and Morris was the first guy off the bench.
Those two, along with seniors Caiden Willis and Charlie Halcomb and junior Luke Schilling will play key roles for the Royals.
Sophomores Eli Manship and Caden Powers, and juniors Garrett Shaw and Myles Wennen round out the roster.
“The lineup will be different every night, which could work to our advantage. That’s how I see it and how it’s worked itself out at practice,” Bechtel said. “Everybody that we play has more varsity experience and more scoring back than we do. But this is a group that’s had success at the lower levels the past few years.”
With limited varsity experience, Bechtel knows the key to any success the Royals have this season will rely on playing tough, hard-nosed basketball.
“The last few years we’ve had really good talent, better talent than most people we have played. This year, we’re not going to be able to just show up and just play and win,” Bechtel said. “We’re going to have to have more of a workman type about us. We’re going to need to out-tough people and learn how to play in close games.”
Last year 15 of the Royals 19 wins came by 20 or more points, and 10 came by at least 30. This year, Bechtel doesn’t expect that to be the case and has put importance on learning how to play in tight situations.
“I’m going to have to do a good job of putting us in position to be successful in those games that are tight. There’s a lot of coin flip games on the schedule that could go either way,” Bechtel said. “At the JV level last year, over half of our games were a running clock, so we’re going to have to get used to playing in close games. The coaches, and players we’re all going to need to be able to communicate and function in those situations.”
With just seven full practices under their belt due to the success of the football team, Eastern Hancock begins the season tonight at 7:30 at home against Centerville.
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2023-24 Eastern Hancock Boys Basketball Schedule
Date;Opponent;Time
Nov. 22;vs. Centerville;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 1;vs. New Palestine;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 2;at Wes-Del;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 8;vs. Northeastern;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 9;vs. Daleville;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 15;vs. Knightstown;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 16;at Blackford;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 19;at Randolph Southern;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 5;vs. Wapahani;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 12;at Union County;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 13;at Greenfield-Central;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 19;at Monroe Central;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 20;vs. Shenandoah;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 26;at Lapel;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 27;vs. Triton Central;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 3;vs. Cowan;1:30 p.m.
Feb. 6;vs. Riverside;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 9;at Morristown;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 13;at Blue River Valley;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 16;at Union;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 20;at Liberty Christian;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 23;vs. Hagerstown;7:30 p.m.
