September 24, 2025
The countdown rolls along with this week with teams #41- #45. To review, last week kicked off the Top 50 countdown and looked like Linton @ #50, Southwestern (Hanover) @ #49, Forest Park @ #48, Bloomfield @ #47, and Oak Hill @ #46. Despite some feedback about small schools I’m feeling good with our first 5 mentioned. There could be a state champion or 2 in that group. In this week’s edition of the Top 50 there’s a couple in here that can really make a run for their class state title and some bigger schools that are looking to get over and make a run with the big boys this year. One small school from the far east looks to have one of their best seasons in recent memory. A perineal favorite up north in 2A makes an appearance with a strong 1-2 combo in the backcourt. A usual power up north in 3A that is looking to make another run @ a semi state without their Indiana All Star from last year. Two 3A teams make the list that return alot and many people may be sleeping on in their class. Our first tie of the Top 50 makes an appearance this week. And because it’s my write- up and there’s no real rules; I’m putting both teams in here. Let’s go ahead and continue the countdown.
45. Fort Wayne Blackhawk Braves– We all know what they lost when Indiana All Star, Kellen Pickett graduated and is now @ Wright State. That doesn’t mean Coach Matt Roth’s Braves will just disappear into mediocrity. Blackhawk returns two of the better sophomores in the state with 6’3 Bryce Lacross and 6’4 Drake Sefton and should see big time production in numbers from last year. Senior guard Briggs Pardon is the Braves leading returning scorer at 10.8 ppg last season. Those 3 should see more shot attempts and higher scoring averages this year without the big man in the middle. One more sophomore that Blackhawk is counting on for more this season is Kyler Wood. Wood and senior Payton Rhinehart should solidify the backcourt. The big question is how fast can they adjust without a 6’9 All Star down low. The schedule, like usual, is brutal and their record may not show how good and prepared they really will be come March. But the talent and coaching are there, it’s just key pieces young and how fast can the Braves put it all together.
Key Games;
December 5 @ New Haven
December 9 @ Penn
December 23 v. Columbia City
January 17 @ FW Luers
(t) 44. West Lafayette Red Devils– This could be a special year on the westside of Lafayette. The Red Devils have a big core of their 17-7 team back from last season. Losing 6’10 Kevo St. Hilaire to graduation is big, literally, but having one of the best sophomores in the state helps ease the loss. Jaece Vogt is poised for a big time jump in production after averaging 7.8 ppg last year. Vogt is already one of the better long range shooters in the state after a strong summer on the UAA circuit. WL has lots more weapons including their 2 leading senior scorers back in the red and grey; Ben Werth led the team in scoring last season at 15.2 ppg and Drew Whitlock averaged 11.1 ppg. Junior 6’4 big Henry Umulis brings some size and should get more PT downlow this year after averaging 5.2 ppg last year. There’s no reason West Lafayette shouldn’t be considered Sectional 23 favorites and possibly make their way to a semi state up in 3A North.
Key Games;
December 2- Tournament @ Lafayette
February 5 @ Brownsburg
February 7 v. Lafayette Jeff
(t) 44. Tri West Bruins- The Bruins and Coach Tommy Strine are going in the right direction. Last year TW finished with a 18-7 record before running into the Guerin Catholic buzzsaw @ the sectional. Alot of good young pieces return with 6’1 junior Ryan Miller (13.5 ppg) being the main guy. Miller is one of the more underrated juniors in his class and has the potential to breakout even more offensively this season. 6’3 classmate Jaxon Paris (9.3 ppg) is back with the Bruins in the starting lineup, as is 5’10 sophomore Daniel Thomas (9.1 ppg). Losing 6’8 Wes Ward off of last year’s squad could hurt Tri West in Sectional 25 eventually, which means the development of 6’7 junior Parker Anderson will be key. Senior guards Caden Murphy and Eli Morgan will also be in the rotation. There’s a group of good sophomores such as Eric Dean, Amare Blakely, and Lane Barnard should see some more minutes.
Key Games;
November 26 v. Decatur Central
January 16 v. Guerin Catholic
February 24 @ Brebeuf
43. Shelbyville Golden Bears- In the mid 90s the Golden Bears were a staple in the Indianapolis semi state 3- peating the regional rounds in ’94, ’95, and ’96. In the last 25 years the Bears haven’t gotten out of the first weekend of the tournament. This strong group of seniors would like to change that this season. The duo of Caden Claxton and Mar Nicholson have been playing varsity ball for a while now. Claxton is a 5’10 guard that put up 15.1 ppg last season and Nicholson is a 6’5 wing that averaged 14.5 ppg. Fellow seniors Gavin Reed (7.6 ppg), Brody Runnebohm (6.9 ppg), Nick Fischer (6 ppg), and Cole Schene (4.2 ppg) round out the rotation . What’s really got Bears fans excited about the future is 6’4 incoming freshman, Camden Thoman. Cam is a big time athlete and should see varsity action (if not in the starting lineup) early on in the year. The sectional is far from a cakewalk with teams such as New Palestine, Roncalli, and Beech Grove in the mix but if there’s a year for the Bears to break their long sectional drought, it’s this group of senior Bears.
Key Games;
December 19 @ Mt. Vernon (Fortville)
Jan. 13 @ Columbus East
February 13 @ New Palestine
42. Centerville Bulldogs- Centerville has come a long way from their 2021- 2022 season where they went winless going 0-22. Last year the Dogs won their sectional with a roster of underclassmen. Big things are now expected for Coach Brian Kaiser his squad. It begins with 6’2 senior guard, Shea Hollendonner. Hollendonner looks to be one of the better players in a loaded 2A this year and put up 15 ppg last season. He’s also on track to become the all time leading scorer in the history of Centerville basketball. Shea is not the only Hollendonner on the team looking to make a big impact. 6’1 sophomore Jace Hollendonner averaged a very good 10.5 ppg as a freshman. 6’4 senior Landyn Keiser returns as one of Centerville’s bigger players put up 12.6 ppg last year. The Bulldogs also come back with 6’5 senior Kaden McCord (6.8 ppg), 6’0 senior Ethan Vecera (7 ppg), senior Keith Plyley (4.6 ppg), and junior Bryson Brown (6.7 ppg). The Dogs have a real nice group of seniors and this may be the year for this Centerville team just west of Richmond to make a run in 2A.
Key Games;
Dec. 13 v. Parke Heritage @ Southport
Jan. 2 @ Lawrenceburg
Jan. 2 v. Bloomington South @ Lawrenceburg Tourney
41. Westview Warriors– Coach Chandler Prible and this group of seniors haven’t lost a sectional game. The last time the Warriors didn’t make a regional appearance was the 2021- 2022 season. There’s a winning tradition and expectation that goes along with Westview. The Warrior backcourt is one of the best, if not the best in all of 2A. 6’2 junior guard Austin Schlabach is expected to have a breakout year after a strong summer. He’s been touted as “one of the best players in NE Indiana” by people in the know and is a good candidate to become a Jr. All Star next June. His running mate is 6’4 senior guard/ wing Kaden Grau. Grau just recently received offers from Hope College, DePauw, Manchester, Trine, and Goshen, and looks to add more interest with a strong high school season. A trio of Yoder’s will be contributors for the Warriors as well. Jr. Daniel Yoder will be looked upon to be a double digit scorer this year and classmate Pierce Yoder is a knockdown 3 pt. shooter and should have plenty of room to fire from distance this season. The 3rd and youngest Yoder, freshman Bryce has Warrior fans excited about the future. At only 5’3 Bryce is a tough competitor that can shoot it well and drives to the basket well for his height.
Key Games;
November 29 @ Northridge
February 7 v. FW Blackhawk
February 27 v. Concord
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