It’s a 2A basketball program that graduated a pair of Division I starters who combined for 35 points,13 rebounds, six assists and eight steals per game.  Then, the team learned it would be without its leading returning scorer and rebounder for part of the upcoming season due to an injury and offseason surgery.

And it’s still a team with aspirations of another deep postseason run.  That’s Triton Central.  Reload, not rebuild.

Head coach Bryan Graham.

The Lady Tigers won 26 consecutive games to start last season.  The lone loss brought the season to an end in the Jasper semistate, 48-43 to eventual 2A state champ Linton – Stockton.  It was one of only three times the Tigers were held under 50 points while averaging over 75 ppg for the season.

Lost to graduation are Maya Chandler, Rylie Stephens and Grace Crist.  Returning, hopefully in January, is Tenleigh Phelps, 6’0” senior (13.2 ppg, 6.4 reb, 59% FG).  Phelps is rehabbing from surgery.

Running the team from the point guard slot is junior Taylor Heath.  A ‘true’ point, Heath averaged 7.9 assists to go along ith eight ppg last season.  She may be asked to do, and score, more this season.

Senior 6’’0” center Bailey Stamper brings a veteran presence in the post.

There will be more minutes for players who appeared for the varsity last season.  Seniors Kenzie Ryle and Morgan Shilling along with sophomores Lizzie Graham, Maddy Brown, Jenna Cox, Hallie Schweitzer will be growing and learning on the job this season.

Triton Central has four consecutive 20 + win seasons.  Considering the Covid pandemic Graham says they’re fortunate right now to even have a season.

Triton Central is scheduled to open the season Thursday against the team whose season ended on the very same court as the Lady Tigers.  Greenwood Christian lost to Loogootee at the Jasper semistate ending a 23-6 season.

Triton Central is ranked second in the 2A preseason coaches’ poll.  Linton – Stockton sits atop that poll.  It’s certainly not impossible the two meet again in the south semistate.