HS boys basketball: Plenty of new faces in the area. Here are some teams to watch.

One thing is for certain as the area prep boys basketball season prepares to tip-off the 2023-24 campaign.

There should be plenty of new faces and emerging stars for roundball fans to catch on the local high school hardwood this season.

Graduation took its toll from last season at numerous programs, including powers Penn, Marian and Washington.

Girls basketball: Monique Mitchell steps up as Washington girls basketball holds off Penn, 43-33

The Kingsmen lost not only their entire starting five from a team that fell in the Class 4A North Semistate game, but also Hall of Fame coach Al Rhodes. Rhodes retired following 42 seasons on the bench, including the last 15 at his alma mater Penn. Rhodes, who retired in April, won 693 games and a state title at Warsaw in 1984.

Penn lost a ton of talent, including Mr. Basketball Markus Burton. The electric guard, now starting as a freshman for Notre Dame, led the state in scoring at 30 ppg. Burton finished with 2,273 career points, good for 20th in state history all time.

Prep football: NorthWood football is state bound after semistate win over Leo

The No. 2 Kingsmen finished a 28-2 season with a 58-57 loss to No. 5 Kokomo. Penn's only other loss was to undefeated Ben Davis, who beat Kokomo for the Class 4A state title. Penn won the NIC title at 11-0.

Penn will rely on players moving up from its JV and freshman teams of last season. The pair of squads combined to finish 42-1 during the 2022-23 seasons.

Barak Coolman, who had considerable success at Valparaiso, takes over at Penn. Coolman was 151-56 in eight seasons at Valparaiso. The former Bethel College player, who was hired in May, also coached at Fort Wayne Northrop.

Coolman is one of four new coaches this time around in the NIC. He is joined by Will Coatie (Elkhart), Tyler Leighton (Jimtown) and Ben Wiginton (New Prairie). Coatie, who was the Elkhart girls basketball coach previously, replaced Kyle Sears. Leighton replaced Matt Stoll and Wiginton replaced Mike Bauer, who is now the Marian girls basketball coach.

Marian graduated a trio of double digit scorers, including star guard Deaglan Sullivan, from a team that finished 23-3, including 10-1 in the NIC, and lost to Washington 43-41 in the sectional.

Washington lost seven seniors, including key veteran Marcus Northern, the team's top scorer and a four-year starter. The Panthers were 18-6 and lost in the Class 3A Regional to John Glenn 58-54.

Washington does return a star in sophomore Steven Reynolds III. The extremely gifted guard, who is one of the top players in the Class of 2026, averaged 13.3 ppg. as a freshman and has offers already from the likes of Notre Dame, Purdue and Ohio State.

Mishawaka won 20 games and a Class 4A sectional title under new coach Bodie Bender last season. The Cavemen will be led by senior Brady Fisher, who earned All-NLC honors in 2022-23. Mishawaka lost to Hammond Central 59-46 in the regional in 2023.

NorthWood lost star Cade Brenner and Indiana All-Star Ian Raasch from its Class 3A state title team. The Panthers, who were 28-2 and beat Guerin Catholic 66-63 in overtime in the title game, do return talented big man Tyler Raasch and strong point guard Ethan Wolfe.

NorthWood, as of Saturday, has postponed its first three games due to its football team advancing to the Class 4A state championship game Nov. 24. The Panthers are now slated to open their season at Westview on Dec. 7.

Glenn played its best basketball at season's end as the Falcons advanced all the way to the Class 3A North Semistate game before losing to Delta 50-47. The Falcons return a strong senior class, led by Joe Chrapliwy and Chase Miller.

Junior guard Chase Konieczny, who averaged 19 ppg. a year ago, will look to lead Saint Joseph.

Following are 10 area teams to keep an eye on this season.

Penn

Coach: Barak Coolman (0-0 in first year, 253-118 in 16th year overall).

Season opener: Nov. 25 vs. Carroll.

2022-23 Record: 28-2 (11-0 NIC, lost in Class 4A semistate).

Key losses: Markus Burton (30.2 ppg., 5.5 rpg., 4.6 apg. 3.3 spg., Mr. Basketball), Joey Garwood (12.6 ppg.), Joe Smith (10.5 ppg.), Dylan Derda (5.1 ppg., 4.9 rpg.), Josh Gatete (3.4 ppg.).

Key returnees: Seniors: Dominic Bonner (4.6 ppg., 3.6 rpg.), Trey Miller (3.6 ppg., 2.1 rpg.), Maverick Brown (2.1 ppg., 1.4 rpg.), Nolan McCullough (1.6 ppg., 1.1 rpg.).

Key newcomers: Juniors: Alex Hawthoren, John Bedient, Ethen Good. Sophomore: Ben Murphy. Freshman: Payton Miamba.

Coach Coolman says: "The outlook for Coach Coolman’s first season at Penn comes with many questions. Last year’s Penn team was one of the best teams in the state and graduation has left the team with only two players with major varsity experience. The Kingsmen look to Dominic Bonner and Trey Miller to lead the way.

Although the team lacks varsity experience, there is a strong group of newcomers from the JV team and incoming freshmen who will be looking to fill the void. This year will be a work in progress butcome march the Kingsmen could be a tough team to play."

Washington

Coach: Ryan Varga (83-63 in seventh year).

Season opener: Nov. 25 vs. Lake Central.

2022-23 Record: 18-6 (7-3 NIC, lost in Class 3A regional).

Key losses: Marcus Northern (16.4 ppg., four year starter), Terrence Reid (9.4 ppg., three year starter), Tyshaun Grundy (4.1 ppg., three year starter), Jason Dockery (4.6 ppg.,), Erick Nocentelli (8.9 ppg.), Devin Devries (2.5 ppg.), Jarrell Richie (1.1 ppg.).

Key returnees:  Senior: Donovan Johnson (JV/dressed varsity). Juniors: Gabriel Burgin, Lavier Smith (JV/dressed varsity). Sophomores: Steven Reynolds (13.3 ppg.), Josh Johnson (JV/dressed varsity).

Key newcomers: Freshmen: Da'Kori Parker, Andre Wells, Michael Stuckey, Cameran Taylor, Justin Rambus.

Coach Varga says: "Well anytime you lose seven seniors that have been in the program and know what's expected on a daily basis, there are going to be some growing pains.  We are probably the youngest we have been in years, but there's much to be excited about.  Obviously, Steven Reynolds is a tremendous talent and going to get a lot of attention, but we have some returners that are going to surround him and also a very talented young group of freshmen.  We are going to just take it one game at a time and hope to be playing our best basketball come March."

Adams

Coach: Chad Johnston (93-59 in seventh year, 293-191 in 22nd year overall).

Season opener: Nov. 21 vs. Victory Christian.

2022-23 Record: 8-14 (3-8 NIC, lost in Class 4A sectional).

Key losses: Brittain Vann (18.7 ppg., 6.2 rpg., 1.5 apg.), Jeremiah Love (11.5 ppg., 6.0 rpg., 3.2 apg.), Tommie Hunt (3.8 ppg., 1.9 rpg., 1.3 apg.).

Key returnees: Senior: Amari Wesson (9.5 ppg., 3.7 rpg., 1.7 apg.), Sophomore: Jarvis Tolbert (7.7 ppg., 3.7 rpg., 0.6 apg.), Junior: Gerron Barr (3.2 ppg., 2 rpg., 1.8 apg.).

Key newcomers: Senior: KJ Johnston. Juniors: Lemonz Jones, David Hayo.

Coach Johnston says: "I am very excited to watch this year's team grow as the season progresses. I think we are going to play extremely hard on defense and will be very coachable."

St. Joseph

Coach: Eric Gaff (24-26 in third year).

Season opener: Nov. 28 at Concord.

2022-23 Record: 12-15 (7-4 NIC, lost in Class 3A sectional).

Key losses: Gabe Nani.

Key returnees: Senior Jayce Lee (13 ppg., 4 rpg.). Juniors: Chase Konieczny (19 ppg., 7 rpg.), Brashaun Woods (12 ppg., 5 rpg.).

Key newcomers: Sophomore: Nick Shrewsberry, Freshman: Elijah King.

Coach Gaff says: "We are excited for this season.  We have watched this group of young men mature and improve for two years now and we are excited to see them continue to push themselves.  We have an expectation that we will be a competitive program this year.  We are looking forward to the challenges of this season. "

Riley

Coach: Alex Daniel (43-29 in fourth year).

Season opener: Nov. 21 at LaPorte.

2022-23 Record: 13-10 (7-3 NIC, Lost in Class 4A sectional).

Key returnees: Seniors: Payton Baird (9.3 ppg., 4.7 rpg.), Manny Hill (12 ppg.). Juniors: Jaylen Barbara (9.8 ppg.), Kishawn Wright (3.2 ppg.), Brandon Williams (8.5 ppg.), Marvin Schindler (15.7 ppg.).

Key newcomers: Seniors: Ayden Kent, Montrell Northern. Sophomores:, Isaiah Packer, Teon Wadley.

Coach Daniel says: "We have a balanced team that has a lot of experience."

NorthWood

Coach: Aaron Wolfe (281-110 in 17th year).

Season opener: Dec. 7 at Westview.

2022-23 Record: 28-2 (7-0 NLC, Won Class 3A state championship).

Key losses: Cade Brenner (19 ppg)., Ian Raasch (16 ppg.), Brock Bontrager (4 ppg.), J.J. Payne, Camden Ransberger.

Key returnees: Senior Ethan Wolfe (8 ppg., 5 apg.), Junior: Tyler Raasch (10 ppg., 7 rpg.).

Key newcomers: Seniors: Keegin Stats, Owen Roeder, Seth Russell, Jack Zercher, Grant Miller, Garret Fear, Mason Pearson.

Coach Wolfe says: "We are excited to start a new journey.  We have a eam that is establishing a new identity and we look forward to a challenging schedule."

Northridge

Coach: Scott Radeker (86-41 in sixth year, 303-209 in 23rd year overall).

Season opener: Nov. 21 at Elkhart.

2022-23 Record: 15-11 (3-4 NLC, Lost in Class 4A sectional).

Key losses: Nolan Bales (10ppg.), Alex Ellenson (13 ppg, 5rpg.), Noah Zmuda  (4.7 ppg.).

Key returnees: Juniors: Kam Radeker  (6.9 ppg.), Mason Bales (12.2 ppg.), Dylan Springer  (1.8 ppg.).

Key newcomers: Juniors: Gideon Campbell, James Cranston. Sophomores: Brady Scholl. Hayden Johnson, Luke Mann.

Coach Radeker says: "This team has a nice combination of players who can both get to rim and knock down three point shots. We have at least five kids who can consistently make threes. A solid post presence in Brady Scholl will help to keep opposing defense honest. If we can win the battle of the boards we should be able to be very competitive this season."

John Glenn

Coach: Travis Hannah (205-162 in 17th year, 298-251 in 25th year overall).

Season opener: Nov. 22 vs. Plymouth.

2022-23 Record: 17-11 (6-5 NIC, Lost in Class 3A semistate).

Key losses: Noah Dreibelbeis  (9 ppg.,  5 rpg., 2 apg)., Brycen Hannah  (17 ppg., 7 rpg., 2 apg.).

Key returnees: Seniors: Joey Shoue   (3.6 ppg., 5 rpg., 1.5 apg.), Chase Miller  (9 ppg., 1.4 rpg., 1.6 apg.), Joe Chrapliwy (11.6 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 1.4 apg.), Carson Krueger (3.2 ppg.,  3.3 rpg., 1.3 apg.).

Key newcomers: Junior: Dylan Albright. Sophomores: Kade Lang, Joe Divine.   

Coach Hannah says: "We have a strong nucleus of four seniors returning from last year's team.  However, those are the only four seniors in our program and we only have one junior in our program so we will be relying on some younger players to develop our bench and round out our rotation."

Marian

Coach: Robb Berger (287-91 in 17th year, 387-190 in 26th year overall).

Season opener: Nov. 28 vs. Goshen.

2022-23 Record: 23-3 (10-1 NIC, Lost in Class 3A sectional).

Key losses: Deaglan Sullivan (18.4 ppg.), Dareon Thornton (12 ppg.), Jackson Price (10 ppg.).

Key returnees: Seniors: Zion Rhoades (6 ppg., returning starter), Elias Noorgard, Ben Warnell. Jordan Maust, Jackson Horvath, Thomas Murphy. Juniors: Deuce Owens (6 ppg., returning starter), Paxan Sullivan.

Key newcomers: Juniors: Isaih Watts, Eric Logan. Sophomores: Brandon Foster, Prescott Horvath.

Coach Berger says: "This has been a fun team to coach so far. They work hard and play together."

Mishawaka

Coach: Bodie Bender (20-7 in second year, 86-36 in sixth year overall).

Season opener: Nov. 22 at Tippecanoe Valley.

2022-23 Record: 20-7 (4-3 NLC, Lost in Class 4A regional).

Key losses: Arthur Jones (15.0 ppg., 3.8 rpg. 3.3 apg., first team ALL-NLC).  Maddux Yohe (3.1 ppg.), Ace Troyer (2.2 ppg., 2.1 rpg., .3 apg).

Key returnees: Seniors: Brady Fisher (11.3 ppg., 6.9 rpg., 2.0 apg. also was a first team ALL-NLC ), Rasauun Johnson (9.9 ppg., 2.8 rpg., 2.0 apg.) , Cooper Pritchett (7.8 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 1.4 apg.), Anthony Nelson (3.6 ppg., 1.0 rpg., 0.5 apg.), Trey Thomas (1.6 ppg., 0.8 rpg., 0.1 apg.), Jack Troyer (0.7 ppg.). Junior: Jackson Snyder (4.5 ppg., 3.0 rpg., 1.7 apg.),

Key newcomers: Seniors: John "Chubi Macedo, JaQuan Redmond, Brayden Freitag. Juniors: Braedyn Smith (move in from Pennsylvania), Carmine Orozco.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: There are a lot of new players set to lead local boys basketball teams