Pair of sophomores leaders for Cougars

Payton Modlin and Quentin Steele were wide-eyed seventh-graders the day Greenwood Christian Academy came within an eyelash of qualifying for a Class A boys basketball semistate.

Almost three years later, the motivation to get back is powerful.

“Even this year we’ve lost battles at the end of the game against the teams who would be favored to win sectional,” said Steele, a 5-foot-11 sophomore guard and the Cougars’ second-leading scorer at 12.2 points per contest.

“I think this year we could win sectional, but we’re definitely preparing for our senior year. I think we could go very far.”

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Based on win-loss records, Morristown, Central Christian and eighth-ranked Indianapolis Arlington seem the logical favorites at the Edinburgh Sectional.

Greenwood Christian Academy lost to all three earlier this season — but by a combined 10 points.

With Modlin, Steele and two of their 10th-grade classmates (Cooper Britt and Christian Kincer) comprising about 84 percent of the Cougars’ scoring this season, coach Jamie Satre’s team is still learning how to finish strong against quality opposition.

If they get it figured out by Feb. 28, the Cougars have the parts necessary to make their mark at sectional.

Modlin, a throwback of sorts in that he’s able to knock down the seemingly forgotten mid-range jump shot on a consistent basis, leads the team in scoring (15.6), and is second in rebounds (3.5), assists (2.0) and steals (2.1).

Steele, the Cougars’ leading 3-point shooter with 32 converted treys so far this season, is also gaining a reputation for fearlessly throwing his 5-foot-11, 140-pound frame around beneath the hoop, often against opposing players taller and stronger.

Britt has been good for 7.6 points a game, with Kincer close behind at 5.6.

Both Modlin and Steele earned valuable varsity minutes as ninth-graders.

“The experience helped us out a lot,” said Modlin, who attended GCA from grades 1-4, was at Whiteland for grades 5-7 and returned to Greenwood Christian Academy as an eighth-grader. “It helped us grow to become better players.

“I would say my role on this team is to help when they need me. Score when they need me, crash the offensive glass, getting assists and whatever else they need me to do.”

For those gauging a team’s potential on win-loss record alone, GCA’s sub-.500 mark isn’t going to impress too many persons. Just know a strong nucleus is there, and it’s Modlin and Steele leading the way.

“They’ve played a lot of basketball. They play in the summers and are both kind of gym rats,” Satre said. “They’re used to playing high-volume basketball, and that helps when they’re in situations.

“I think they are learning how to play now at this varsity level. This experience this season is really beneficial for them. We weren’t sure how they would do, how they would react. They’ve done well. I’m really happy with how they’ve come along.”

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Payton Modlin

Jersey Number: 23

Height: 6-0

Position: Guard/forward

Class: Sophomore

PPG: 15.6

RPG: 3.5

APG: 2.0

SPG: 2.1

Quentin Steele

Jersey Number: 21

Height: 5-11

Position: Guard

Class: Sophomore

PPG: 12.2

RPG: 2.8

APG: 1.5

SPG: 1.9

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