October 17, 2025
We’re now deep into October and roughly a month away from some actual real ball rather than just talking/ reading about it. This week we’ve got some teams that could be better than their rankings, but may also go south if things don’t work out just right. We’ve got a team from up north that graduated also of pieces but two of their main guys are back, including an Indiana All Star candidate. There’s a team with our #2 ranked sophomore in the state that want his time to be ‘now’ rather than later. There’s a new contender south of Indy that could surprise some people by making a run at semi state this year. One of the top teams in the Ft. Wayne area makes an appearance along with their more likely than not lock for Junior all Star this June. And finally there’s a team with a new coach and some new pieces that want to continue their good run just north of Indy. Enjoy the rankings.
30. Northridge Raiders– The Raiders lost a good 2025 class including Mason Bales, who’s now hooping @ Bethel. The reason for the optimism @ the ‘Ridge is 6’7 Indiana All Star candidate Brady Scholl. Scholl spent most of the summer recovering from a gruesome foot injury in AAU ball but is expected to be cleared before the season starts. When Brady did get to play this spring/ summer for Indiana Game he put up 16.3 ppg and 9.6 rbs. Those numbers should be even higher for the big guy this winter for Northridge. The Robin to Scholl’s Batman is 6’2 senior guard Hayden Johnson who shoots with a high clip beyond the arc. Johnson can also share the point guard and playmaking duties now that Bales has graduated. Scholl and Johnson are one of the top combo’s in all of northern Indiana. 6’2 senior forward Luke Mann should see a step- up in his offensive numbers this year. 5’10 senior guard Freeman Schlabach may also work his way into the starting lineup this season. The rest of the roster is a mix of a strong jv players and newcomers. It’s a plus that most of the Raiders big games will be @ home this year. The only question with this Raiders team is who else steps up and gets Northridge past week 1 of the tourney.
Key Games;
November 29 v. Westview
January 20 v. Penn
January 31 v. SB Riley
February 20 v. Columbia City
29. Kokomo Wildkats– Coach Peckinpaugh is gone to IU Indy and now it’s Coach Drew Schauss walking the sidelines. 4 year guard Zion Bellamy is also gone but the Kats should play much ‘bigger’ this year. It starts with 6’3 senior guard Korbyn Hammel. He’s the prototypical guard with college size and good athleticism. Hammel can get to the rim and his 3 pt. shot is much improved. Returning sophomore starter DJ Nash has grown over the summer to a good 6’6. Nash is a big time rebounder and inside presence. He is also an good athlete that defends multiple positions. Senior super athlete Baris Moore is a returning starter @ 6’2. Josphat Kanyinda came in after season in the spring and is a 6’7/6’8 raw post player that is another big time athlete and can protect the rim. The upside for Kanyinda is very high. 6’0 junior Erivon Burke returns and is a really good shooter that played all varsity last year and hit forty 3’s. Austin Moos also played a lot as a freshman and is now about 6’2 and really good defender and playmaker. The pieces are certainly there for new Coach Schauss to make a run come March.
Key Games;
December 20 @ Carmel
January 10 @ FW Snider
February 20 v. Anderson
28. Penn Kingsmen– When you start off with one of the better players in the c/o ’28 you have a good chance against anyone. 6’4 sophomore guard Caleb Coolman runs the show for the Kingsmen and led the team in scoring last year as a freshman (15.6 ppg). Two senior guards join Coolman in the Penn lineup, 5’10 Ben Murphy and 6’4 Lucas Obermeyer. Both of whom will look to pick up their production after junior Peyton Miamba moved over to SB St. Joe’s. Penn fans have high expectations for 6’8 junior Makale Price. Price will be their main man in the middle down low and his development is important for Penn to have the season they’re wanting. 6’7 senior Cody Evans adds more size and will be a big time player this season. Senior wing Tayshon Bardo adds some depth and may find himself with a starting spot this season. Sectional 3 is a beast this season with some really strong teams, but Penn should be considered one of them and could get through to the second weekend come tourney time if the draw goes their way.
Key Games;
December 6 @ Crown Point
January 23 @ SB St. Joe’s
February 7 @ Chesterton
February 20 v. SB Riley
27. Columbus East Olympians– For a program that is more known for football and haven’t won a sectional since the 1995- 1996 season, you may think this ranking is too high. And maybe it is, but then again Coach Perry Nash may have just turned CE into a basketball school. After making a sectional final and battling eventual state champion Jeffersonville to a 2 point game in the regular season, East won’t be sneaking up on anyone this year. 6’5 do- it all senior Keaton Lawson is back for his last year on the hardwood. All Lawson did for East was lead the team in scoring (18.8 ppg on 53% FG shooting), assists per game (4.6), rebounds (8.5), steals (3.0), and blocks (1.6). In the Jeff game last year he was the primary ball handler while guarding the other teams top player. 6’4 senior Carter Patterson is another player that plays even bigger than his height catching lobs and putting up 14.4 ppg last season. 6’0 junior guard Judah Lewis had a really strong spring/ summer of ball and give the Olympians a ‘big 3’. Sophomore Logan Neal may find his way into the starting lineup this season as may senior Anthony Cowen.
Key Games;
December 19 v. Columbus North
January 13 v. Shelbyvile
January 16 v. Bloomington South
February 7 @ New Albany
26. Homestead Spartans-The Spartans were a year early knocking off favored FW Wayne to get reach the semi state round last season. This year nobody will be sleeping on Homestead. They’ll go into the year as Sectional 6 on paper but South and Wayne also think they’ve got the team to knock them off. Until then Homestead is the undisputed champs of the #260. The reason for optimism around the program is 6’7 junior Mack Welker. Mack should be in line to make the junior all star team after having a big time role in Indy Heat’s 16U national title this past summer. 6’1 junior classmate Jake Coolman can really shoot it and has limitless range. The lefty guard is expected to have a breakout year for Homestead and can also help with pg duties. Junior Sky Dollens is 6’2 guard that could find himself in a starting role this season. The Spartans have good depth on the inside with brothers senior Brogan McNeice (6’5) and sophomore Braylon McNeice (6’6). The younger McNeice should get more PT this year and up his ppg averages. Coach Johnson is going into his 27th year and gives Homestead a coaching advantage in most games.
Key Games;
December 13 v. SB Riley @ Champions Classic
January 9 @ FW South
January 16 v. FW Snider
January 20 v. Columbia City
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