Since 2016, Simon Kenton has won five district titles, Walton-Verona with four. The two are expected once again to be the top two in the competitive 32nd District with Grant County and Williamstown challenging and entering new eras with new coaches.
Here’s an outlook on each team as they enter the season, beginning on Dec. 2.
This is day one of six of our district-by-district basketball previews for the 32nd-37th District for the upcoming season, slated to begin on Dec. 2
Boys basketball previews
Girls basketball previews
Simon Kenton (18-16 in 2023-24)
Claiming his 11th 32nd District title with the Pioneers, expect head coach Trent Steiner to treat this season with the same mindset as all the others.
“Goals are expectations set by other people,” Steiner said. “Our goal is to get better at everything we do on a daily basis.”
After going 10-14 to start the 2023-24 season, the Pioneers got hot at the right time, winning eight of their last 10 games on their way to a run to the 8th region championship game where they came up just shy against Spencer County.
Looking to make a run towards a potential three-peat in the district, the Pioneers will be without former senior Travis Krohman. The current Thomas More guard averaged 17 points per game and led Simon Kenton in scoring for three straight seasons.
“When underclassmen get experience, you hope they can fill those gaps,” Steiner said.
Steiner noted sophomores Tysin Weaver, Eddie Marx and Braylon Bilton as players expected to step into a more dynamic role with the team.
Providing much needed experience, the Pioneers will also return five seniors who were responsible for nearly 60% of the team’s scoring last season.
Those key returnees include Jay Bilton, Bode Stone, Jordan Bach, Brayden Polly and Marty Taylor, who played in all 34 games for the Pioneers last season.
Walton-Verona (23-11 in 2023-24)
The Bearcats fell a game shy of a district title last season and won their first region tournament game under the direction of coach Mike Hester. Entering his sixth season with the program, Hester’s squad will look to turn some heads.
“At times over the last couple seasons, we’ve been undersized compared to our opponents,” Hester said. “This year’s team is different now that we have size across the board.”
A key returner for the Bearcats is senior forward Aaron Gutman, who’s size and shot-making ability helped him average 21 points per game last season.
“We believe Aaron (Gutman) is one of the best players in the state,” Hester said. “He’s going to take on a huge load with the ball in his hands a lot more this season.”
Hester will also rely on senior Aidan Kerns, who’s role with the team is likely to increase after a sixth man role last season.
“We have the next man up mentality,” Hester said. “Luckily, we have a lot of talented players people might not know about yet.”
Outside of Gutman, the Bearcats will have to find points from emerging players this season as last year’s squad graduated six seniors. Depth will certainly be a question early on as they try to develop it as the season goes on.
Grant County (13-18 in 2023-24)
Grant County will look to first year head coach Tyler Jones, hoping to erase their lowest win total since the 2017-18 season with a 13-18 record last year.
Seniors Benjamin Bosse and Wyatt Hucker to return as an experienced duo for Jones’ first season.
Williamstown (19-11 in 2023-24)
The Demons welcome new coach David Jump, a former Williamstown alumnus. Williamstown finished with a 19-11 record last season which marked their first 19-win season in 60 years.
Jump had had stints as an assistant coach at Midway University, Williamstown and most recently at Carroll County.
Jump will have quite the challenge on his hands as the Demons graduated seven seniors, including Colton Feagan and Honore Yangoua, who combined for 47.8 of the Demons 65.5 points per game last season.