The Indianola boys basketball team used a six-man rotation last season, with the four guards of Evan Gauger, Quinn Vesey, Tyce Johnson, and AJ Toigo not coming out of the game, and Matt Deike and Garrett Aiello splitting time at center. Of the four, only Johnson and Toigo are returners, so the rotation for the Indians this season is opened up much more, now playing eight players with Luke Youmans, CJ Kuehl, and John McGinnis coming into the game together off the bench to provide a change of pace. Head coach Brett Watson tells KNIA Sports those three were game changers in the Indians victory over Carlisle Monday.

“It’s energy. That’s what that group has to bring, is energy to the floor. I thought our first group started out slow, I’m not quite sure I’ll have to look back and figure out why. But that’s what that second group is, bringing energy and they turned the tide in that game, I’m not sure the score would be what it is if that second group didn’t bring what they did.”

The Indians are 1-2 to start the season, and host Little Hawkeye Conference rival Pella Friday.