By Chris Parker
Sparta boys basketball brings back a roster featuring athleticism and length coming off a 13-14 season.
“I think our team’s biggest strength is going to be our athleticism and length,” Sparta head coach Deric Link said. “I think if we use that to our advantage, we can be a tough hard-nosed group that can end up turning good defense into offensive opportunities. We are going to have to be gritty defensively and make that the staple of who we are. The best teams have defenses that travel to whatever game they play and in any environment.”
Senior Trenton Ingle is the team’s leading returning rebounder. He averaged 9.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game as a junior.
“I felt like Trenton turned a corner for us this summer,” Link said. “Trenton has a high floor with a high ceiling as a player. His IQ, ability to stretch the floor, rebounding, and rim protection ability has led to a lot of playing time over the last two years. I am excited for people to see how his game has developed and he is scoring in more ways than just behind the three-point line.”
Ben Miller is an athletic junior who averaged 2.4 points per game last season.
“Ben brings great athleticism and physicality to this group,” Link said. “He has worked hard to expand his game and get more consistent behind the three-point line. He is a kid who I feel like if he buys into his role, he can help us tremendously and be an impact player for us.”
Abel Hume led the team in scoring as a freshman with 13.6 points per game. He also contributed 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists.
“Abel has put in a lot of work to get strong this year,” Link said. “As a sophomore, I think he has a chance to really make his name known. He is a high IQ point guard who can score at all three levels, wants to guard, and can lead a team in rebounding. He leads us from a competitive standpoint. The next step for him is really taking over a game from start to finish.”
Sophomore Ansen Gardner also saw varsity action as a freshman playing in 11 games.
“Ansen is another young kid for us who has really worked hard this summer to get stronger,” Link said. “He has the ability to add scoring for us in his ability to score at the rim and from beyond the three line.”
Link identified Jase Applegate (junior), Baylor Loveland (sophomore), Hudson Hightower (sophomore) and Trey Robinson (sophomore) as key newcomers.
Link on Applegate: “Jase is an energy giver for this group. He plays harder than just about anyone and is always willing to do what the teams needs him to do.”
Link on Loveland: “Baylor is a high energy guy. He competes defensively and has the ability to attack the rim for himself and others.”
Link on Hightower: “Hudson has really gotten better for us. He is a good athlete who likes to guard and understands what his job is. He has worked hard the past couple years to develop his shot from beyond the three-point line.”
Link on Robinson: “Trey is a great athlete. He adds an element to our team in transition offense with his ability to run the floor. I am looking forward to seeing his growth as the year goes on.”
Link wants to see his roster develop into a cohesive unit.
“We need trust, commitment to each other and to the program, and belief in one another,” Link said. “We cannot be a group that points the finger but rather points to the solution and we do that together. The group we have really complements each other when they are bought into their strengths.”
Sparta opens the season on Nov. 25 at Springfield Catholic.
“Growth is the biggest thing I want to see,” Link said. “I want to see who we become through the process of trying to reach a championship level every day. We have a rather young group, but they want to be successful. We have seen that all season. They have been committed to the weight room, the extra work, and conditioning. I am excited to see who this young group becomes at the end of the year. My hope is that we are someone people want to avoid come district time.”
