We’re finally making our way into the top 25 of my Top 50 rankings. There could be a couple of state champions in this group this week. One team from the outskirts of Chicago wants to make a run downstate 24 years after their state title in 2002. Another from the 260 that looks to get over the hump this year and make a run to semi state with alot of talent. A team that gave the 3A state champs all they could handle last year look to make it to the big game themselves this year. A tiny 2A power makes an appearance this week and are coming off 3 straight semi states wants to go another step further this year. And finally a 4A team with alot of size look to build off their unexpected sectional title last season. Big things are expected from these teams so let’s get into the Top 25 of ’25-’26.
25. Gary West Cougars- Things didn’t go quite as expected last year on the Westside. A 17-7 season is not bad for most but expectations were maybe a little too high for GW last year. I’m doubling down on the Cougars this year as they’re my first team in the Top 25. This group of cats is lead by 6’0 senior guard Trey Hinton who seems like he’s been in the blue and orange for a long while. He’s a ultra athletic guard that gets to the basket and finishes as well as sets the table for everyone else. When watching West in June he was flying all over the floor and finishing with thunderous dunks for a 6’0 guard. A big difference maker, literally, at any level of high school is 6’10 Tyler Crews. His development has been key for GW. Crews is obviously a defensive monster and finishes well around the rim , but he’s recently expanded his game some towards the perimeter. If he continues to improve Crews is a no brainer D1 talent that follows the likes of former Cougar bigs; Jalen Washington, Christopher Hunter, and Vincent Hart. 6’1 senior guard Bryce Cooper is a name that gets overlooked sometimes and is underrated. He’s a capable ball handler, shooter, and finishes well at the basket. There’s another big with alot of potential as Crews understudy; 6’8 freshman Prentis Gates will be one of the state’s most highly rated players in his class when it’s all said and done. Once Gates starts putting things together and a year of varsity ball under his belt, watch out for big things. Another one of the state’s top incoming 2029s should be ready to contribute now; 6’2 Deshawn Clay is a guard that plays with confidence and gets to his spots unlike most his age. Clay and Gates will be problems for the next 4 years @ Westside. GW obviously should be one of the top teams in 3A and a real contender up north.
Key Games;
January 24 @ Lawrence Central
January 29 v. East Chicago Central
24. Columbia City Eagles– CC gave St. Joe’s all they could handle last year before falling by 4 after a back and forth game. Losing Stratton Fuller hurts but there’s plenty of players left to make another run. The two main pieces are one of the best combos in all of Indiana. 6’4 senior Landon Richmond is back for his last run in an Eagle uni. The Huntington commit has good enough athleticism and plays bigger than his height. Richmond is crafty around the rim and helps lock down other teams interior players. The second piece for CC is 6’3 shooting guard Owen Marshall. The Bethel commit is a shot maker from most anywhere on the floor. He’s another sneaky athlete that at times handles the ball for CC. The Eagles will ultimately go as far as the combo of Marshall and Richmond take them. Senior forward Trey Deckman looks to be back in the starting lineup and will be looked upon to help increase his offensive numbers this season. Senior Ian St. John is a very capable outside shooter than if left open will hurt you. 6’6 Josh Elbery, 6’3 forward Cal Miller and 6’1 Brayden Elkins are all seniors that will provide depth and scoring options. Coach Matt Schauss and his Eagles will have motivation to get back to where they were last March and finish the job this time.
Key Games;
December 23 @ FW Blackhawk
January 20 @ Homestead
February 20 @ Northridge
February 24 v. FW Luers
23. Parke Heritage Wolves– When a 2A team is ranked as highly as I have them, you know they’re really good. The last 3 seasons for PH have ended @ the semi state which means there’s experience and motivation to take it one step farther to Bankers Life. The Wolves don’t just return alot of players, but good players that will play @ the college level. It starts with the coaches son, 6’0 senior Treigh Schelsky who’s back for one last go around. The Huntington commit had a strong spring/ summer and will make a push for being an Indiana All Star come June. Treigh is a knockdown shooter when given just an inch of space and has a strong enough body to go inside and finish his drives. The Wolves big man is 6’8 Isaac Pickle who just recently committed to Taylor. Isaac is one of those players that keeps getting better and stronger. His game is catching up with his size. He wants to block everything on the defensive end and dunk every chance he gets down low. Pickle has come a long way during his high school career. Junior Carter Crum is a 6’3 forward that plays bigger than his size. Crum put up 12 ppg and 7 rpg last year playing the 4 spot. Two more junior guards in the mix are 5’9 Brendan Goins and 6’2 Leyton McMullen. Two sophomores that will see an increased role this year are 5’10 Joel Miller and 6’6 Michael Smith.
Key Games;
November 29 v. TH North @ Greencastle
December 13 v. Centerville @ Southport
December 23 @ Fishers
22. Brownsburg Bulldogs– After a 10-12 regular season record the Bulldogs pulled off the improbable and took out Avon, Plainfield, and Ben Davis on their way to a sectional championship. Usually 13-13 teams from the previous season don’t make it onto my radar for Top 25 consideration but the Bulldogs are too big and too talented to put any lower than #22. Once again sectional 11 will be a buzzsaw and any team making it out of there has a good chance of making it to state. The reason Brownsburg thinks they can do it again is thanks to size and an incoming transfer. That transfer is 6’5 senior Chrishon Woodward who comes in from North Central (Indy). Woodward is a natural wing that can do most everything. The backcourt is led by their leading returning scorer in Brandon Addison. Brandon is a true point guard that has blazing speed and (9.3 ppg) will look to average more points this yr. There’s even more Brandon’s in the lineup with 6’4 junior Brandon Day and and 5’0 junior Branden Sharpe. What really will separate Brownsburg from alot of teams is the size they can throw at you. 6’10 junior Jackson Gordon had a good summer of AAU ball and keeps getting better. 6’6 senior Chris Brandon is skilled around the basket and played alot of center last season. A breakout player for the Bulldogs is 6’6 sophomore Billo Diallo who’s long and athletic. His game looks to be much improved since last year. Brownsburg is a sneaky 4A semi state threat if everyone gels and continues to improve.
Key Games;
December 20 @ Ben Davis
January 2 @ Pike
January 3 v. Crown Point
January 24 v. Carmel
21. Fort Wayne Snider Panthers– On paper this is the most talented team in Ft. Wayne. Whether or not that equals a sectional and regional title remains to be seen. Last year Snider went 14-10 and lost to Carroll in the first game of the sectional. Leading the way is 6’4 senior guard Xavier Wilson who put up 14.8 ppg last season. Wilson is a special athlete that will be playing college ball somewhere after high school. The junior class @ Snider is strong. 6’2 guard Trell Houge who’s been in the rotation since his freshman year. Trell averaged 11.6 ppg last season and should see an uptick this season. 6’6 junior big man is Tank Paschall. Tank is a load down low and put up 8.3 ppg and 6.1 rpg a season ago. 6’1 junior athlete Braylin Fertil may be a good football prospect but can also hoop too. Fertil, like most of this Snider team thrives in transition and is strong getting to the basket. A freshman that saw some time last year was 6’1 Donovon Wimbley. One transfer that could be a make or break for the Panthers advancing forward in March is sophomore Chance Derossett. Chance has yet to play a varsity game at the high school level yet but he’s a 6’5 combo guard with lots of potential. Another transfer in from Northside (and probable starter) is Sr. Jordan Woods who put in 12.2 ppg last yr. This year it’s time to make good on the talent advantage the Panthers have. In the 4 team Sectional 5 there’s no excuse this year for Snider.
Key Games;
December 13 v. Chesterton @ Grace
January 10 v. Kokomo
January 16 @ Homestead
February 13 @ FW Luers
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