Preview: Bishop Carroll Eagles

MEET THE TEAM

Bishop Carroll is one of my favorite programs to talk about. As a stat geek, I love them because Lonnie Lollar consistently finds a way to maximize the potential of every single one of his teams. I bet if you looked back through the years of where the Eagles were projected to finish in the City League standings, they have out-performed their position more than not in his eight years. It's because Lollar preaches defense and cohesiveness, two traits that have boosted Carroll to more wins than it probably should have in a rigorous City League the last few seasons.

This season might be Lollar's biggest challenge, which is saying something because he's had some projects he's transformed into winners over the years (the 2012 team finishing 3rd in 5A comes to mind). Carroll returns just one starter from a 10-win team last season, and it's junior Connor Evans. The lack of experience is concerning, but Lollar has proven over the years that it's certainly not a requirement to be a great team. Remember, this is a team that typically struggles in December when it is establishing roles and finding out how they need to play to win games.

Evans will be as much of a centerpiece to this team as possible. He stands a daunting 6-foot-5, but rarely will you see him in the post. In fact, Evans will be doing much of the ball handling for the Eagles this season. It's reminiscent of how Lollar used Brian Rohleder a few years back in a point forward role, and Evans could excel in a similar way because he has the size and length to create a lot of matchup problems for other teams. It's just a matter of his aggressiveness kicking in and him willing to take over and create on offense when Carroll needs him to.

But, like always, Carroll's success never depends on a single player. In fact, this might be the strangest of all seasons because there really isn't an option outside of 6-foot-4 senior Matt Price that appears capable of being a consistent scoring threat. So really, it's going to be a cast of little-knowns that will be counted upon to chip in scoring here and there for the Eagles to win this season. There are some intriguing talents on the offensive end, but it's a matter of if they can score against the talent level in the City League because it's an entirely new level.

Carroll's first concern will be solidifying its defense, which should be constantly changing. Lollar will throw man out a lot of the time, but isn't afraid to switch things up and call for a tight 2-3 zone or an aggressive trapping zone or even a full-court press. It will be a work-in-progress with so many new players transitioning to the varsity level, but Lollar likes the potential of what this team can do defensively and that means Carroll will have a shot at winning games when it counts - in February and March.

The reason why Carroll typically excels is because it is efficient on offense. Lollar schools his players well on when to shoot, who needs to shoot, and from where. The Eagles are rarely going to beat themselves and that's what is going to keep them in a lot of games because they will play gritty defense by season's end. It's another team that I expect to over-achieve on other people's projections. They may not have a gaudy record come March, but I can guarantee you that no top seed at sub-state is going to want to see Carroll as a first-round opponent.

MEET THE CAST

CONNOR EVANS | GUARD | 6'5" | JUNIOR
A do-everything 6-foot-5 guard-forward, Evans will be the best player on this team because of his ability to do a little bit of everything and do it well. He can be a disruptive defender if he reaches his potential, but he'll be counted on more this season for his offense. He has to find the right balance of distributing and creating his own shot.
MATT PRICE | FORWARD | 6'4" | SENIOR
Great soccer player that should see his role increase this season. He has the athleticism to score off that around the basket, but he'll need to become more than a role player this year. Should be a consistent rebounder and will have to be a solid defender down low.
LUKE HOHL | GUARD | 5'11" | SENIOR
A key on the defensive end, when Hohl brings the energy then Carroll can be a very good defensive team. Lollar called him the team's defensive X-Factor, and is another player that needs to become more consistent in an expanded role as the team's energizer on the defensive end.
BRENNON BENOIT | GUARD | 6'2" | SENIOR
A scrappy player that has a nose for the ball, something that Carroll will need to generate extra possessions. Also one of the best free-throw shooters on the team, Benoit has the touch from the mid-range to become a threat on offense.
BRETT BELL | FORWARD | 6'6" | JUNIOR
Another Bell, and this one is 6-foot-6. It's a pretty tantalizing combination, but one that will need time to develop. His offensive game is still coming together, but his purpose this season will be as a disruptor in the middle and be the team's leading rebounder.
PATRICK CARNEY | GUARD | 5'11" | GUARD
A young talent that has Lollar excited for the future. He has a knack for scoring, but will need to transition his game to the City League level. Has the potential to be a special player for Carroll, but this season will be about moving his game up to the highest level of play.

FROM COACH LOLLAR

"We have to be a better defensive team than we were a year ago and we have to be a team that can be more consistent at the free-throw line. Those are two things that are crucial for us. The thing that is going to help us is this team really likes each other. They've been willing to work hard so far and they've been good listeners. You get a sense there's an enjoyment being around each other and that's been contagious. Once we get a better understanding of some of the team concepts, I think we can be a competitive team."

THE PREDICTION

On paper, I would say probably at least 6 of the other 8 City League teams have more talent than Bishop Carroll this season. I think I saw somewhere that had them tabbed 7th, which sounds about right if you were judging strictly based on the talent. But that is what is so great about Lollar and the Eagles - they find a way to prove you wrong. I have such a hard time finding a way where they out-perform that finish, but I think what will help them is that there is such a balance in the league this season. Carroll will lose early on, but look for it to hit its stride sometime in late January and February. I guarantee you that you will not want to play this team come sub-state. I think the record takes a tick backward this season, probably around 8-9 wins, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Carroll playing in a game to go to state, or even in the state tournament itself. Don't ask me how this team will do it, but I think it will find a way.