Preview: Cards to lean on upperclassmen

From 3-18 in 2020 to 7-14 in 2021 and 11-12 last season, the Carrington boys' basketball team has been trending upward as their current senior class has gained seasoning.

Last season, the Cards fell in the Region 3 first round to Linton-HMB.

Coach Tim Ranum hopes that this season is the one where they put it all together.

"We're returning eight lettermen," said Ranum, "and have three guys who are all potential All-District caliber players."

After the graduation of All-District selection Lucas Hendrickson, the scoring load of which he carried an outsized part transfers to a dynamic trio.

Senior forward Hudson Schmitz (6'2", 10.5 points, 5.3 rebounds) is a well-built physical presence inside with inside-outside capabilities.

At the guards are junior Grady Shipman (7.9 ppg, 4 rebounds, 80 total steals, 56 assists) and sophomore Josh Bickett (7.5 ppg, 33 total steals, 44 assists.)

Shipman is an aggressive, tenacious defender and fearless penetrator to the basket, and Bickett a smooth, pure shooter and sure-handed ballhandler.

Another senior with a ton of potential is forward Jack Erickson. He is the Cards' "energy guy," and could carry a bigger offensive responsibility this season.

The final starter is senior Jack Paulson, a 13-point-per game scorer on the JV squad last season.

Others looking to crack the rotation are sophomore Ryder Bickett (12 ppg, 5 rpg JV) and senior McCoy Beckley.