Young basketball player discusses start of season

Sophomore Denhm Holt has been playing basketball for 12 years. He plays at D1 Indiana and here at NC as a combo guard. 

“I am really looking forward to the Ben Davis game because it’s a men’s and women’s double- header,” Holt said. 

The preseason rankings put NC as eighth in the state. They hope to continue their success from last year and have a winning season. 

“My favorite thing about basketball is definitely scoring. Putting in effort on the court always gets you points,” Holt said. 

Holt also enjoys traveling. For AAU basketball, travel teams go all over the country for several months of the year. 

“I have improved on my vertical a lot this off-season. Running track in the spring definitely helps,” Holt said. 

Holt says that track compliments basketball because it keeps him in shape. He also believes that it is good to be a multi-sport athlete. 

“The team culture at NC is very close-knit. We are all very comfortable around each other and balance each other out,” Holt said. 

Last winter, the team went 18-8 overall and 3-5 in the MIC. Their biggest loss was by 12 points against Lawerence North. Last season, the Panthers won the Marion County Championship. It was a tight game going into overtime with a final score of 74-73.  

“I do really hope we can keep the success going,” Holt said. 

In sectionals last year, NC lost to Cathedral, only by 9 points. Cathedral ended up winning the state title. This year, the Panthers hope to put their talent together and make a run.