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11/22/05

Wildcats seek 3rd title in row

By Pat McKee
pat.mckee@indystar.com


With an excellent nucleus, complementary players with potential and an effort level that has been pleasing, Lawrence North coach Jack Keefer is optimistic his Wildcats have a good chance for a third consecutive Class 4A state championship.

But even starting with 7-foot Greg Oden and point guard Mike Conley, Ohio State-bound stars who averaged 20.3 and 10.2 points respectively, Keefer concedes an evolution must occur before Lawrence North is ready to confront the end-of-season tournament.

"We're not as good right now as the rankings say we are," said Keefer, whose squad went 24-2 overall and 7-0 in Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference play last season. "But with the guidance of our three seniors, we hope to get to where we need to be."

Senior Brandon McDonald is the third returnee with significant experience, and Keefer said to look for him to join Conley, junior Qadr "Q." Owen and Marion transfer Evar Jones as keys on the perimeter. Two freshmen, 6-6 Chris Read and 6-8 Stephen VanTreese, figure to complement Oden on the inside, while 6-4 junior Damian Windham also fits in.

"By the time we're done, we may be a better defensive team than we were last year," Keefer said. "Defense and rebounding will be a big part of this team."

LAWRENCE NORTH WILDCATS
• Colors: Forest green and scarlet.
• Class: 4A. Sectional: 10.
• Last year's record: 24-2.
• Coach: Jack Keefer (493-201 at Lawrence North, 554-227 overall).
• Postseason titles: 13 sectionals (1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005); 5 regionals (1985, 1989, 2001, 2004, 2005); 3 semistates (1989, 2004, 2005); 3 states (1989, 2004, 2005).
• Returning starters: C Greg Oden (7-0, Sr.); G Mike Conley (6-1, Sr.); G Brandon McDonald (6-3, Sr.).
• Other letterwinners: F Damian Windham (6-4, Jr.).
• Top prospects: G Evar Jones (5-11, Sr.); G Qadr "Q." Owens (6-0, Jr.); C Stephen VanTreese (6-8, Fr.); F Chris Read (6-6, Fr.); F Wesley Smith (6-3, Jr.); G Larry Smith (6-3, Fr.); G Kamal Thomas (5-10, Jr.); G Terron Bibbs (6-4, Jr.); G Jason Weigel (6-2, Sr.).