Prep Boys Hoops Insider: Newcomers making a big impact

Area teams have plenty of fresh faces worth tracking as season progresses.

We know all about the returning boys’ basketball players coming off a big year. For the most part, they’re continuing that path in the early weeks of the 2010 season.

But what about the new guys? It’s those players who can make the biggest impact this season. We already know what the established players can do, but the new players can change a team’s chemistry and enhance its performance.

We’re two weeks into the season, and several newcomers are already making significant contributions. Here’s a few to watch as the season progresses.

Codi Frank, Tecumseh: Frank is the Arrows’ new point guard. He leads the team with 11.7 points per game. He’s also made 8-of-10 free throws.

Brantley Davis, Springfield: A shooting guard, he leads the team with 17.0 points per game. He’s made 6-of-18 3-pointers and averages 1.5 steals per game. Davis was in the program as a freshman, moved out of the state as a sophomore, and moved back this year.

Matt Scott, Emmanuel Christian: Scott lettered last season, but he’s tripled his output for the Lions this year. He’s averaging a team-best 15.0 points and 4.0 steals per game. He’s also grabbing 3.7 rebounds.

Travis Mayse, West Liberty-Salem: This sophomore averages a team-best 9.3 points per game, with 5.3 rebounds.

Derek Tincher, Shawnee: He leads the Braves with 5.7 rebounds per game and is second with 9.3 points. As a 6-foot-6 forward, he’s made 3-of-9 3-pointers.

Ben Coleman, Graham: He’s waited his turn on some great teams, and now he’s making the most of his senior season with 10.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. He’s made 7-of-14 3-pointers.

Cody Callicoat, Mechanicsburg: He lettered last year, but now he’s elevated his game and tied for second on the team with 13.5 points per game. Callicoat (6-6) and Derik Frost (6-5) give the Indians a strong presence under the basket.

P.J. Banion and Duncan Mercer, Southeastern: Together these sophomores score 20 points per game. Banion averages 11.0 per game and Mercer 9.0. That’s big on a young team looking for points.

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