CENTERBURG – Despite an unexpected coaching change, a COVID-19 quarantine and the uncertainties of scholastic sports in 2020, the Centerburg boys basketball team is looking forward to a rewarding season.
Of course, the biggest surprise took place earlier this month when Sky Brusco stepped down as head coach, citing family reasons. He was replaced by former Trojans’ coach John Marhefka, who enters his second stint as coach. Marhefka took over for longtime coach Jim Simpson in 2011 and posted a 43-49 record over those previous four years at the Trojans’ helm.
Marhefka got a good look at the current crop of Trojans, but that was back when they were in elementary school attending basketball camp. He has spent this month playing catchup, and he likes what he sees.
“We've only been able to have one scrimmage so far, but we look pretty good,” Marhefka told the Mount Vernon News. “I'm pleased to have Carter Jones return. He's the only senior on the roster. Then we have a bunch of juniors, so that class is pretty large. Hopefully, those guys will be contributing in some way, shape or form.”
The 6-foot-5, 200-pound Jones gives the Trojans size and athleticism in the post, but he gives them so much more than that all over the court.
“The best thing about Carter is his versatility,” Marhefka said. “I like what I've seen so far. He has even been working on the defensive end. I really like the athleticism he brings, but his big thing is really that he is such a good character guy.”
Off the court, Jones has helped the Trojans, who have been quarantined for most of the last half of November.
“We’re getting sent workouts everyday,” Jones said. “We have film from one scrimmage, so we’re just trying to analyze that stuff. Also, we’re just trying to stay in shape and not lose anything that we’ve already gained. We work out in the driveway, the basement or wherever guys can find some free space to move around.
“We know what our goals are, and we know we can achieve them. So if we take this quarantine time to take a step back, it will just hurt us in the long run, and we know that we can’t do that.”
The Trojans (15-8, 11-3 in Knox Morrow Athletic Conference play last season) will also bring back point guard Mick Mead (6-0, junior). He has shown some natural leadership ability with the ball in his hands.
Marhefka will have to figure out how to utilize juniors Jack Gregory (6-0), Landon Griffith (6-1), Levi Houck (6-2) and Tim Wheeler (5-9). There's also Dalton Hall (6-0), Alex Johnson (6-2) and Isaiah Reynolds (6-0)— all juniors who are going to see some time. It will depend on how quickly Marhefka can evaluate who goes where.
“We have quite a few pieces,” Marhefka said. “It all depends on how they're doing and how quickly they pick things up, but they have all been working extremely hard, and that has made it very exciting.”
Sophomores Colton Martin (6-2), Carter Morgenstern (6-1) and Reese Scott (6-1) round out the roster for Centerburg.
