Preview: Andover Central Jaguars

MEET THE TEAM

Andover Central has been the model of consistency over the last decade under Jesse Herrmann. After going 9-13 in his first season in 2001, Herrmann has led the Jaguars to 10 consecutive winning seasons with an average of 19 wins per season. At least 19 wins every season for the last decade - let that sink in for a minute.
Herrmann has seen just about every type of team imaginable. He's had to replace the bulk of the scoring before. He's had to replace a great senior class before. But this season is a perfect storm of sorts - where all of those things coincided and now they are all gone.
The ever elusive state championship seemed within Central's grasps last season. They were No. 1 throughout the year, finishing the regular season a perfect 20-0 but their dream season came to a screeching halt at the hands of Bishop Carroll in the sub-state final. The heartbreak from that game is only felt by one returning player, senior Zach Winter.
Everything else will be brand new this season. Herrmann has been blessed with size in recent seasons, but that trend has gone extinct this season. The Jaguars kept six seniors, but only Winter and Kolten Holinde have seen varsity minutes.
Last season the Jaguars were able to win the majority of their games by just having more talent on the court. It's not as if the Jaguars are short on talent this season, but it is largely inexperience and will unlikely be able to repeat that type of performance this season. Until the scoring load is figured out, Central might have to find new ways to win games like grinding victories out in low-scoring affairs.
But Herrmann couldn't ask for a better building block than Winter, a three-year starter at point guard. The 6-foot-2 general has been mostly a distributor throughout his career; he'll still be that this year, but Winter will be the centerpiece of the Jaguars' offense as well. He'll need to score, at least early on, to help the Central offense along and force teams to adjust to him.
Although the Jaguars haven't minded playing games in the halfcourt in the past, they might not be as comfortable this season without a dominant post player. Look for Central to speed up the pace of the game and try to bait teams into competing in a running game with them, which would be an unwise move considering Central's guards should be a strength this season.
Another thing that excites Herrmann is that Central has one of its deepest squads this season. They're unproven, sure, but he doesn't see a drop-off all the way down to the 12th man. That makes practices more competitive and playing time more precious, which he thinks is exactly what a team like this needs - competition day-in and day-out.
There's no way Herrmann lets the winning stop this season, even with such an inexperienced squad. The system and program he has set up in Andover almost ensures a winning season every year because he can point to his tradition of success and kids want to follow that. Meeting the average of 19 wins might be asking a lot of this team, but don't be surprised in February and March when Herrmann has Central playing as one of the toughest teams in Class 5A.   

MEET THE CAST

#12 | ZACH WINTER | POINT | 6'2" | SENIOR
The foundation of the team, Winter will be a three-year starter at point guard and the only contributor back from last season. He'll still get his assists, but look for a breakout scoring season from the senior now that he's the man.
#30 | KOLTEN HOLINDE | POST | 6'2" | SENIOR
He's not the tallest player, but he plays bigger than his 6-2 size and can rebound effectively. A bruiser down low that will scrap for loose balls and do all of the little things that teams need to win close games.
#11 | JARRETT WHITCOMB | WING | 6'0" | SENIOR
Didn't see the court on varsity last season, Whitcomb could see a bump all the way up into the starting lineup. He'll be asked to relieve Winter of some of the scoring load, but should also be a solid defensive piece for Central.
#15 | QUENTIN MILLER | WING | 5'10" | SENIOR
Another senior that will be asked to step up this season in their first season of varsity action. A bit under-sized, he'll have to roam the perimeter and knock down open shots if teams throw junk defenses in an attempt to slow down Winter.
#03 | ZACH LOCK | POST | 6'0" | JUNIOR
Really more of a perimeter player, Lock might have to play more inside this season due to the lack of post players. He has the capability to score, but his role will likely be to defend and rebound more this season.
#05 | CAMERON HURLEY | WING | 5'9" | SENIOR
Yet another senior that is inexperience at the varsity level, but he'll be in line for an increased role this season. Might have to handle the ball some whenever Winter leaves the game and will have to prove he can hit the outside shot this year.
#23 | DARRAJA PARNELL | WING | 6'2" | FRESHMAN
A lot of hype surrounding his arrival at the high school level, but it might take him some time to transition his game. He's an elite scorer and has athleticism that will likely force Herrmann to play him big minutes this season, especially on a team in need of a scoring punch.

FROM COACH HERRMANN

"We're not going to out-talent the good teams we play this season. There are going to be teams more talented than us and to be able to beat those teams, we're going to have to play as a team. Everybody is going to have to accept their role and follow Zach. He's going to have to lead us in those games. We can throw him out there and feel pretty good that he's just as good as anybody else out there on the court."
 

THE PREDICTION

It might look like Central is about to drop-off, but it would be foolish to ever doubt a Herrmann-coached squad. That's why I'm a believer the Jaguars have reloaded. There's no question they won't be as dominant as they were last season, but this year's team will be good in a different way. Winter is ready to take over this team and lead the Jaguars through a very difficult league and sub-state. It's a tough schedule, but I like Central to win around 15 games and be right back in the conversation to reach Topeka.