Four of the five Triton Central seniors from the Class of 2021 are on college basketball rosters.

That alone attests to the talent head coach Bryan Graham has to replace as the 2021-2022 season is about to begin for his Tigers.

“This team has a chance to be very good,” said Graham, 262-55 in 14 seasons. “We are very deep and so fast and athletic at both ends of the floor.”

With the addition of Franklin Central transfer Olivia Faust and the return of veteran players like Lizzie Graham, Jenna Cox and Maia Harris, Triton Central landed at No. 2 in the Class 2A preseason poll following a 20-4 season.

With the graduation of Taylor Heath (14.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 9.5 apg, 3.3 spg), Cox, a five-foot, seven-inch junior, moves into the point guard role where she is a best fit, according to Graham.

“You are never going to place Taylor Heath,” said Graham of the Hanover College freshman. “We will fill the void as best we can.”

Cox will have multiple athletic options in the offensive sets with Graham (13.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg), Faust (10.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.7 spg), Riley Ross (2.5 ppg, 4 rpg) and Brooklyn Bailey (3.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg).

Faust (photo) is a 6-1 senior wing that can also run the point, according to Graham. She has already announced her college commitment to Marian University in Indianapolis.

“She could have went to a Division I school but Marian is a perfect fit for her,” said Graham.

Mix in Hallie Schweitzer (4.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and Maddy Brown (6 ppg, 5 rpg) and Graham believes this version of the Tigers is one of his most athletic.

“Rebounding will be key,” said Graham. “If we rebound and outlet , we will go so fast. That will translate into early and easier offense.”

Triton Central opens the season Saturday at Class A, No. 9 Greenwood Christian (1-0) – a semistate qualifier last season.

On Nov. 11, Triton Central travels to Class 2A, No. 23 Cascade for what Graham believes could be the Indiana Crossroads Conference championship game. The Cadets were 16-6 last season and lost at Triton Central in their season opener, 95-89 in double overtime.

“Cascade is very good,” said Graham. “The conference (title) could be decided in that game.”

Two days later, the Tigers will get a first look at a potential sectional foe in Eastern Hancock.

The November schedule includes three more home games against Monrovia, Lutheran and Greensburg and a road trip to Morristown for the annual girls/boys varsity-only doubleheader that marks the start of the boys basketball season for both programs.

Triton Central hosts Class A, No. 6 Waldron on Dec. 3 and travels to Greenwood for a Dec. 7 game.

The 2021 portion of the schedule concludes with Triton Central hosting an 8-team tournament in late December that includes Southport, Northeastern, Elkhart, Franklin County, Danville, Jac-Cen-Del and another potential sectional foe in Heritage Christian.

The Shelby County Tournament at Waldron this year kicks off Jan. 6. The semifinal pairings have not yet been announced.

Rock Creek Academy will travel to Fairland Jan. 21 for the Tigers’ annual “Pink Out” event.

The regular season concludes with a home game on Jan. 25 against Perry Meridian and a road trip Jan. 27 to Beech Grove.