By RJ Townsend
His Kobes squeak on the hardwood floor. He plants his feet, looks at his target, and shoots. As he waits for the sound he knows is meant for greatness, his teammates’ hands go up from the bench and the crowd rises to their feet inside the bowl … swish!
“Bragg with the three!” a loud voice bellows inside the arena.
The Delta Eagles boys’ basketball team has rolled into its season with workouts and practices. There will be three players returning to the court, one of them being senior guard Lucas Bragg.
A captain, Bragg will try to prove his leadership skills as this is his third varsity year on the basketball team.
“As I’m older, I understand that there’s a lot more strategy involved in coaching rather than just pure will,” Bragg said. “Having that maturity of knowing what needs to happen and how that happens, those two combined can create a good team.”
Along with Bragg, sophomore Ryan Lynch and junior Jackson Peters will be returning to the court as experienced varsity players for the Eagles.
Peters, playing the position of shooting guard, has a large goal for this year’s team and himself.
“I want to make it back to semi-state,” Peters said. “I want to keep winning.”
Lynch is coming into this season with a strong take on his predictions as well. The lack of doubt from the youngster carries into his team, creating an intense atmosphere.
Bragg’s high hopes for the team is palpable. The young team has ambition and a vision they hope to make reality. He knows that his job is to teach and coach his teammates to success.
Like the junior defender, Chase Phillips who has impressed not only his teammates but himself with his mental growth.
“I’ve been more determined,” Phillips said. “I’m more of a team player, I’ve gotten to know my teammates better, like Ryan and Walker.”
This past summer the team played ball in tournaments. In these tournaments, Phillips faced challenges he had to overcome. Bragg has seen the change and commented on Phillips’ ability to handle new situations.
“The way that he has grown into accepting his role in knowing what he can do on the court and not pushing his limits,” Bragg said. “He’s a lot more mentally tough.”
This team is seen to be a group of young, shapable and persevering boys. They have the ability to prove themselves as heavy hitters and a force to be reckoned with.
One starter in particular will be turning heads and creating conversation. Freshman Walker Johnson stands at 6-foot-7.
Walker has the fire that will help the team to prove themselves. As a youthful team they’re wanting to be underrated, so they can step out and show their capabilities.
Head coach Mark Detweiler has been coaching basketball for 28 years, 9 of which have been at Delta. He has seen some great teams come through the program, though he states that this season sticks out more than others.
“We have the most depth we have had maybe since I have been here.” Coach Detweiler said.
Having ‘depth’ to a team means that the talent doesn’t just start on the court. This year the Delta Eagles have an all around knowledgeable team, many of the players on the bench will be seen on the court throughout games.
On the sidelines, all of the staff is returning for this season, though the freshman team has a new staff addition, Coach Tanner Wehlage.
Also notable, a new volunteer joins the staff but isn’t new to the program. Cooper Bratton, a class of 2025 graduate, will be returning as a volunteer coach.
“Hes going to be a big help, especially with the point guards,” Peters said.
This season is full of great competition, including the rivalry games such as Yorktown and Wapahani. Muncie Central, Mount Vernon, New Castle, Connersville, and New Palestine will be games to watch and show out for.
This season will have the team’s opening game at Connersville on Nov. 29. The home opener for the Eagles will be on Dec. 12 against Yorktown.
The game is played through the testament of time. Will this year’s team be one of history?
The one way to find out is to show up and cheer for this year’s Eagles basketball team.
