LAKEVILLE, IN. - As LaVille head basketball coach Michael Edison begins his 15th season at the helm of Lancer basketball, Edison's club will return nearly the entire offensive production. In 2021-22, LHS started the season after graduating 88-percent of the offense due to graduation. In simple terms, Edison was asking the next player to step up. Now, following a 4-18 overall record last season, Edison's crew has a valuable year of experience as the 2022-23 season begins. "I think one of our strengths could be the fact that we are returning some experienced players who have had at least one solid year under their belt," said Edison. "Last year I went through our schedule and I felt, in my 14 years as coach at LaVille, that approximately 8-10 of the teams we played had their best team in their school's history since I had been coaching. Many of those teams were senior heavy so many of the teams we will play this year have graduated some talent." A total of 12 of the 20 teams LaVille played in 2021-22 finished with a winning record and 13 teams picked up double-digit victories for the season. During the first losing season in 11 years, Edison feels like his team learned more about themselves and how to keep going. "It has been said that a person can learn a lot about themselves in defeat," Edison said. "I think some of the struggles we had last year really taught us all to persevere, to keep fighting even when things were not going well, and to keep in mind that success is not a "given", but rather something that has to be worked for and attained." Among those back are leading scorer Collin Czarnecki. The sophomore guard averaged 14.4 points per game as a freshman and scored 20 or more points three times for LHS. Also back are Lucas Plummer (9.7 ppg), Owen Smith (7.1 ppg), Ross Wagoner (4.7 ppg), Michael Good (3.1 ppg), Ryan James (2.9 pp), Collin Allen (2.3 ppg), and Cody Allen. Among the players returning, Edison believes that the seniors will lead the team. "I think our entire senior group of Owen Smith, Ross Wagoner, Ryan James, Collin Allen, and newcoming senior Noah Rush will step up and lead for us this year," Edison said when asked about the team leaders so far. "We also have some younger players that will have their fair share of leadership as well. It really remains to be seen what this team will accomplish as teams morph and come together in different ways as the season unfolds." As the year progresses, others battling for playing time include several underclass players. "Cody Allen, Avery Garrett, Braedyn Foster, Brayden Schwitz, and Noah Rush are all working hard in practice and are making some of our more experienced players better each day," said Edison. "There will be times throughout the season when they are called on to step in and help the team out. They are preparing each day to be able to do that when their name is called." Following a 2-5 mark in the Hoosier North Athletic Conference last season, Edison knows his squad will have to be ready to play. "There are some very solid teams in the HNAC," explained Edison. "I think the overall favorite simply from the number of returners they have coming back is North Judson. However, Knox will be tough and Triton is always very well coached and on any night teams can show up and play very well. There will simply be a lot of quality teams and players we are faced with on a consistent basis when we hit our conference season." Caston won the 2021-22 HNAC title with a 7-0 record. North Judson-San Pierre finished second, followed by Knox and Triton tied for third. Culver, Winamac, and the Lancers tied for fifth, Winamac seventh, and Pioneer eighth. LAVILLE LANCERS Head Coach: Michael Edison (200-124 in 15th year at LaVille) Assistants: Jack Edison, Luke Hillegonds, Codee Kimbel 2020-21 Record: 4-18 overall (2-5 HNAC) Letterwinners Graduated: 0 Letterwinners Returning: (9) Seniors - Collin Allen - Forward , Ryan James - Forward, Owen Smith - Guard, Ross Wagoner - Guard. Juniors - Michael Good - Forward, Lucas Plummer. - Guard Sophomores - Avery Garret - Forward, Cody Allen - Guard, Collin Czarnecki. - Guard Newcomers: Senior - Noah Rush. - Forward. Freshman - Braedyn Foster - Forward, Brayden Schwitz. - Guard Next Game: at Bremen, Dec. 1