“Last year to the end of the year, I felt like I needed to really contribute and help out,” said Black, a 6-foot-7 junior forward. “This year, that’s grown even more. Being one of the upperclassmen now, maybe I need to help out some of the underclassmen and be a good example. I’m definitely looking forward to the responsibility.”
Black started the first six games last season and eight of the last nine. He averaged 7 points and 4.8 rebounds.
Tonight’s starting lineup will include Black, junior forward Jacob Weide, senior wing Chris Sullivan, senior point guard Seth Hill and sophomore wing David Hieber. Josh McKee, a two-year starter, will probably return to the starting lineup sometime after the end of football season, and Michael Cooper, a wide receiver like McKee, would be another strong candidate to start whenever he returns to the team.
At this point, coach Bill Brown’s 10-man rotation also includes junior post Brandt, freshman point guard Steven Newell, sophomore wing Cameron Walton, sophomore forward Ian Quick and one of three local graduates: freshman guard Zack Burks, of Springfield High School; freshman wing P.J. Howell, of Shawnee, and freshman guard Kyle Morris, of Kenton Ridge.
Of all those players, Sullivan showed the most improvement last season, increasing his scoring average from 5.8 to 12.4. He hit 47 3-pointers two seasons ago and 90 last season.
“He tied a school record for 3-pointers, which had stood for quite a while,” Brown said. “Can he be better than that? I think he can. He loves to play. He’s a real student of the game, which he needs to be at his height to get shots off, even though he has a quick release.”
Seth Hill is another intriguing player in that he nearly left the program at the beginning of last season, only to get big playing time down the stretch after the team lost Gregg Hill.
“He and Jacob Weide were definitely responsible for a big spark down the stretch,” Brown said. “I have no issue telling people that I definitely missed the boat a little bit on Seth and that I’m very proud of Seth and we are very fortunate he decided to stay with us.”
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