Youth to play key role for Indians

The Comanche Indians will be relying on youth this year. Comanche lost six seniors off of last year’s 13-15 squad that advanced to the area tournament.

There are no seniors this year and only three players returning who received much playing time, which includes junior Landon Ellis, junior Mason Kulbeth and sophomore Cason Morris.

“Everything has been fairly positive,” said Caleb Patterson, head coach. “We’ve had most of the guys for several weeks and were only missing two guys, so we’ve got a lot of work in.”

Patterson said while they may lack in experience, he has a solid group of freshmen that he thinks will be major contributors on the team. Overall, there are eight juniors, three sophomores and six freshmen.

“They’re a good group, but they are freshmen and so they might not have the maturity and physical presence of the older players,” Patterson said.

The coach said the starting five may vary from game to game depending on matchups with the other team and who is playing well at the time.

“We could have as many as four freshmen starting,” Patterson said. “I told them they will get thrown to the wolves and get their lumps, but it is their fault for being so good. We’re going to throw them in there for better or worse.”

Landon Ellis will be the starting point guard when the season opens with his brother Myles, a freshman, as the backup when Landon is not on the floor.

“Landon ran the point all last year,” Patterson said.

The Indians do have some good size to bang around in the post with. Junior Jeremy Crisp is 6-5, Morris is 6-4, freshman Hunter Lashley is 6-4 and junior Xander Dodd is 6-3.
Because of the youth of his squad, Patterson will be looking for improvement as the season goes along as his team gains experience.

Patterson said the main adjustments he has had to make is to himself as a coach.

“I’m having to tweak myself,” Patterson said with a laugh. “I can’t expect everything to be crisp at the beginning. We are going to have to build confidence and take it one day at a time.”

The Indians and Lady Indians open with some familiar opponents this Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, they host Empire with the girls scheduled at 6:30 p.m. and the boys at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, the teams travel to Lindsay with game times also at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.