October 8, 2025
As we’re well into October it’s getting time to jump into some big time teams with big time potential. There’s a team in Fort Wayne that not many are thinking of outside of the #216 that challenge for the title of best team in the city. A surprise sectional winner last year from the outskirts of Indy, in a sectional that was one of the strongest in the entire state, makes an appearance here. A team from the deep south with one of the state’s best players look to win the school’s first sectional since 2008. A team from the opposite end of the state as far north as you can go with one of the state’s best in the c/o ’28. A team comes in with the help of a ‘BIG’ transfer that will have them navigating them through the 2A North come tourney time. A new coach finds himself with a loaded cupboard of tall and athletic players up north. Lastly, team that hasn’t gotten past the first weekend of the tournament since 2005 is the on- paper favorite this year. And because I can, yes there’s another tie. Let’s go ahead and reveal #31- #35.
35. Fort Wayne Luers Knights– So how could a team that lost their star twin backcourt in Dereon and Drelyn Truesdale still be ranked in the top 35? Lots of young talent and a big addition, literally. There’s potential here, but it’s young and unproven for now. 6’10 LaLumiere transfer Jonas Muya is the addition that gives them something that not many teams in 2A will have an answer for. He’s got some big football offers which should tell you what kind of size and physicality he has. 6’3 sophomore Jayden Moore is expected to have a much bigger role and has the potential to do so. He had a good spring/ summer and could likely be the leading scorer this season for the Knights. Another young gun that’s expected to do big things is sophomore Zen Szaferski. Many outside of Fort Wayne may not have heard much from Zen yet, but after this season he’ll be a name to remember in the ’28 class. The one returning senior that should see alot of time in the starting lineup is 6’4 Ayle Taylor. In fact, Taylor is the leading returning scorer with 8.7 ppg.
Key Games;
December 19 @ Homestead
January 13 @ New Haven
January 17 v. FW Blackhawk
February 24 @ Columbia City
34. Evansville Bosse Bulldogs– This may take a month or 2 but trust me, by the time March is here the Bulldogs will be right where they usually are; 3A contenders. The main reason for the optimism for Coach Burkhart is a 6’5 transfer move- in from Memphis, TN. Dorion Bowen. The wing is ultra athletic and will thrive in Burkhart’s up tempo system. Also due for an even bigger breakout year is senior Marrius Harris who averaged 18.7 ppg last season. The 6’1 two guard along with Bowen will be one of the best combos in southern Indiana. 5’8 junior Elijah Chinn should also see an uptick in production in points and assists. Dontae Barnes and Aiden Boyd are two sophomores that should see more playing time on varsity this year and may even crack the starting lineup. One freshman that also looks to make a push for a starting spot is 6’5 Ethan Hampton. Hampton will most assuredly be listed in my Top 20 incoming freshmen statewide.
Key Games;
January 2 v. Columbus North @ Fishers Tournament
January 10 v. Princeton
January 16 v. Cathedral @ Evansville Harrison
January 17 v. SB Riley @ Evansville Harrison
(t) 33. Decatur Central Hawks– From what I saw in June this Hawks team looks to be the Sectional 12 favorites. Also from what I saw I’m not sure there’s any better shooter in the state than DC junior Sigmund Nash (9.8 ppg). He erupted for 30+ points the game I saw them play @ Charlie Hughes. Nash played for EG10, who made it to Adidas Gold Championship game and had a big summer with AAU & June ball. In the backcourt he is joined by 5’8 junior Devin Colbert (5.6 ppg) and 6’0 junior Mekeil Baker (6 ppg). Size comes in the form of a couple seniors; 6’5 Elyas Zepata and 6’6 Michael Norton. Both players play even bigger than their size. Elyas can stretch the floor for his size and shoots for a good percentage. Norton is an underrated rim protector who runs the floor and rebounds extremely well. Decatur will be more well rounded and experienced this year. They should have much better ball movement from what they had last season. DC did lose sophomores Quintyn Volz to Princeton in Evansville and Lavell Love to Lawrence North but the chemistry of the pieces the Hawks have left should pay dividends against a tough schedule that includes Tri West, Plainfield, and the Marion County Tourney.
Key Games;
November 26 @ Tri- West
January 13 Marion County Tourney
January 30 @ Plainfield
(t) 33. Fort Wayne South Archers– Yet another Ft. Wayne team makes an appearance in this week’s rankings. The Archers are back to being one of the premier teams in the 260. The reason is alot of good and quick guard play along with a pretty good big. There was talk over the summer that South’s 6’10 Zachariah Belcher was headed east to the Cleveland, OH. area but he ended up staying @ South and makes the Archers a top 35 team. Also in the mix is a 5’10 senior athlete, Jayvon Irby (10.7 ppg) who can shoot it and finish well driving to the basket. Senior 5’10 guard Terrence Jordan Jr. is a lefty guard that can also shoot it and get others involved. 5’9 senior guard KJ Alexander, 5’10 senior Corte Wallace, and 6’1 senior Detrick Smith round out the lineup and rotation. The Archers are obviously guard heavy but the return of Belcher puts this team in the mix and have something not many other teams in the area have; a 6’10 inside presence. This is a now or never Archers group that’s full of upper classmen that are ready to compete in Sectional 6.
Key Games;
January 9 v. Homestead
February 10 v. FW Luers
February 13 @ FW Wayne
32. Charlestown Pirates– The last time I saw the Pirates (other than June ball) they had eventual semi state participate, Brownstown on the ropes in a nail biting 4 pt. loss. In fact, both times they played Brownstown came down to the wire. Charlestown was that close to being really good and a year ahead of schedule. This year the sectional is just as difficult with as much talent as Silver Creek brings to the table and a never count- out Brownstown squad. 6’3 senior guard Anthony Fresh is on track to be Charlestown’s first Indiana All Star. Fresh put up 20.9 ppg last year while adding almost 6 rpg. He’s an ultra- athletic guard that can get super hot from range or catch the lob. In order for the Pirates to advance in March it’s going to take more than that. Senior sharpshooter Parker Odle (10.7 ppg) is looking to improve his offensive output this year after a strong spring/ summer. Fellow senior Keevin Bowman (9.1 ppg) also is a capable scorer and perimeter defender. The guy that is counted on to help run the team @ point is a 4th senior, AJ Todd. Todd is already knocking on the door of being the program’s all time assist leader. 6’6 junior post Dylan French will be key for Charlestown down low. If the Pirates plan on making a strong run in March, French will have to play a major role.
Key Games;
December 2 @ Silver Creek
December 6 v. Princeton
December 29 + 30 @ Kokomo Tournament
January 16 @ New Albany
31. Northview Knights- The Knights had a big time year last season going 24-3 and losing to Attucks in the regional. Most of their team last year returns and there’s big time expectations. Their leading returning scorer, Brayden Goff is back for his senior year after putting up 16.2 ppg. Goff has an outside shot at becoming an Indiana All Star if the Knights can make a deep run in March. Next up is senior Avery Perry who is back after averaging 10.6 ppg last yr. Junior Trayven Buis had a really good sophomore season putting up 9.3 ppg last year. Also back is 6’0 senior Christian Bryan who looks to up his average after last season’s 7.2 ppg. Finally a freshman that had a strong campaign last year averaging 6.1 ppg is 6’3 Quinn Lewis. This Knights team beefed up their schedule with games v. Plainfield and @ the prestigious HOF Classic but they have the pieces to make a deep run in 3A. Lack of height could derail a their chances in March but on a given night this Northview team can beat just about anyone.
Key Games;
December 23 v. Mt. Vernon @ HOF Classic
January 17 v. Plainfield
February 20 @ TH North
February 26 v. Bloomington South
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