MaxPreps Indiana Team of the Week: Frankton boys basketball

With nine seniors on his team's 13-man roster, Frankton boys basketball coach Brent Brobston doesn't have to do much inspiring, or even teaching.

These Eagles have been through the wringer and they don't want their high school careers to end. Especially not now.

Frankton (25-2) is just two wins away from a first state title, which won't be easy with a tough Hammond Bishop Noll to play on Saturday. If the Eagles win that one, defending champion Park Tudor likely awaits on the other side of the bracket.

But with this experienced group, headed by leading scorer Austin Compton, Brobston believes all is possible.

"Our group of seniors is the key to us winning the state championship," he said. "These nine guys are winners, and they have been part of four straight conference championships — the most wins in school history — two sectional championships, and this year's regional championship. These nine always find a way to win."

For that, the Eagles have been selected the MaxPreps Indiana Team of the Week, presented by the Indiana Army National Guard.

Frankton is extremely efficient on offense, averaging 66.1 points per game while shooting 51 percent from the field. The Eagles average 19 assists per game and ignite a lot of their offense with 13.4 steals per game.

Best of all, they allow just 44.1 points per game.

"I've been most pleased at the way we have defended all year," Brobston said. "We have been in the top 10 defensively in the state all season. That's been the backbone of our success."

The Eagles weren't initially successful — at least on the scoreboard — the first three years under Brobston, a former student and player at the school. They went a combined 20-45 in that time.

Since then, they've gone 14-11, 18-6, 21-3 and now 25-2.

"Our first three seasons our athletes worked hard, but we were going through a change for the kids into a new style and system," Brobston said. "Those kids our first three seasons poured their hearts into what we wanted to do and we feel actually helped us change the culture for these kids we have now.

"Even though they weren't successful by win-loss record, they were good leaders and kids off the court, and helped mold our younger kids into a new culture."

Now they not only have good kids, but also good players.

Compton, a 6-foot-1 point guard, leads the way averaging 15.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. Seven other players average at least 4.1 points per game, led by Nick Wright (9.5) and Brady Ashton (7.5). Other seniors on the team are Cameron Bates, Conner Bates, Blaine Reed, Brayden Ginder, Bailey Threet and Isaac Stuckey.

The three-pointer is a big part of the team's success, having made 196 of them, led by Wright (48) and Compton (44). Brobston said Compton's competitive edge is what sets him apart.

"He's the most competitive basketball player I have ever seen on the floor," he said. "To be a point guard and lead us three straight seasons in rebounds tells the entire story. He has the heart of a lion and is a true winner."