Carrollton boys basketball will be different but goals aren't

Any way you slice and dice it, last year was a magical ride for the Carrollton basketball team.

The Warriors went on quite a run last season that carried them to a 15-7 record and a No. 24 ranking in the state Div. IV poll. Even more important was an 8-2 record in the Eastern Buckeye Conference and – even though they swept Alliance – a share of the conference crown with the Aviators for the second time in three years.

Fast forward nearly a year and Carrollton will be a vastly different team. That’s bound to happen when you graduate four of your five starters, including first team EBC and All-East District players Braylen Murphy (18 points per game) and Andre Birong (11 points and 10 rebounds per game), as well as Bryce Lonca and Everett Brooks, both of which earned honorable mention recognition from the EBC and East District.

The lone holdover from last season? That would be 6-foot-2 Jayven Johnson (9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game), which earned the senior third team All-District and honorable mention EBC honors. Joining him will be younger brother Tayvian Johnson, who was first off the bench last year for the Warriors. The 6-2 sophomore averaged just shy of 11 points and 4.6 assists per game while draining 42.4 percent of his three-point attempts, good for second team All-District and EBC as a freshman.

Other returnees are 6-0 Isaac Husted, 6-4 Hunter Allison, and 6-0 Graden Cook, all seniors. Allison, who led the Warriors’ football team at quarterback, is practically a newcomer as he’s missed the last two years with injuries.

Joining them is 6-3 junior Marcus Brooks, who also missed last year due to an ACL injury, as well as sophomores John Bajornas (5-10) and Pryce Rodgers (6-7).

Success is the best recruiter, so it’s not surprising Carrollton has a sizeable incoming class, beginning with 6-5 seniors Alex Carlisle and Tucker Burgett. Sophomores are well-represented by Paycen Haven, Drew Gero, Parker Davis, Cruz Clark, and Tre Cameron. Last but not least is freshman Jaseon Gerber.

Despite the deep losses from the starting lineup, Coach Mike Aukerman, entering his eighth year at the Warriors’ helm, maintains the goal is the same as it ever was.

“We look to continue the momentum of our last three years being at the top of the EBC,” he said. “We lost four great seniors. However, we have six seniors that are really ready to step up this season, as well as young guys hungry for minutes.”

According to Aukerman, who is 12 victories away from being Carrollton’s winningest boys’ head coach, how quickly the Warriors’ rotation develops and gels is critical to the team’s success. Just as important is the contribution the team requires from its younger players and newcomers.

“We will improve greatly throughout the season, as we do every year,” said Aukerman. “We want to be playing our best basketball in February and March.”

It won’t be easy, however, as the EBC, as expected, is going to be a tough row to hoe. The Warriors have their work cut out for them as.

“We are the defending champs with Alliance, and they bring back everyone from last year,” said Aukerman. “They should be the favorite. West Branch has a full cupboard of talent and won the league two years ago with their current senior class starting. Minerva brings back some weapons and a good guard duo.

"The league will be very competitive from night to night in my opinion.”