Practices have started and we’re just a couple weeks away from some real ball. The preseason rankings and hype is fun and all but I’m ready for some actual real hoops. We’re almost out of teams to rank here with #6- 10 coming in this week. Obviously all these teams could make it to Indy in March and it actually really seems more wide open than it has in a few years. We’ve got our final (and top) 3A team making an appearance this week from down south. There’s a coupe of big schools with a couple of state titles in the last decade coming in this week’s rankings from the 317 area. There’s a team west of Indy that is looking to make a state title run with arguably their most talented team in school history. And a yet another team in a gauntlet of a sectional that is looking to get over the hump with an good senior class.
10. Silver Creek Dragons- SC checks all the boxes; they’ve got a pass first point guard, good height at all positions, multiple D1 players, 3 point shooting, depth, lockdown defenders. The one thing they’re missing that they hope to change this year is championship experience. On paper they’re the favorites to to cut down the 3A nets in Indy but they’re going to have to overcome the sectional title that Brownstown and Scottsburg have kept them from the last few years. The point guard that gets everyone else going is 6’3 junior Brandon Hunter who’s got some D1 offers already. Hunter fills up the state sheet and at one point last year was averaging a triple double in points, assists, and rebounds. Also in the backcourt is one of the best shooters in the state in senior Kasen Daeger. Daeger can get hot at anytime and drop a quick 20+. One of the more underrated players, not just in southern Indiana but in all of the state is Dane Sprigler. Sprigler is a lockdown defenders that can also lead the team in scoring on a given night. 6’4 guard/ wing Jerron Miles also started some games for SC last year and would be a feature player on alot of teams after averaging 5 ppg last season. This is where the Dragons separate themselves; their height. 6’9 senior Richmond commit Dane Caldwell is long and springy. His jump shot and ball handling has steadily improved and there’s not many better college prospects in all of Indiana than Caldwell. 6’7 Jr. Donovan Whitehead is back after his freshman year spent in Colorado and last year out with an injury. If he’s 100% back to his old self he’ll be very hard to keep off the floor. 6’8 Lucas Linderman is one of the best kept secrets but it’s because SC is so deep. Lucas is sneaky athletic while blocking and dunking most everything. 6’5 Jr. Brody McLaughlin is another kid that may find his way into the starting lineup depending on how Coach Hoffman wants to play it. He’s another long defender that SC can throw out at teams. 6’5 soph. Evan Renn should find his way into the varsity rotation at times. but would start for most teams in southern Indiana. Renn is a year away from being a breakout player. 6’6 Sophomore Aiden Makun is a name to watch out for in the near future. It’s tough to say that a state title is expected but reality is that’s how it feels for SC down here in southern Indiana.
Key Games;
December 2 v. Charlestown
December 13 v. SB St. Joe’s @ Southport
December 23 v. Crown Point @ HOF Classic
January 23 v. New Albany
9. Ben Davis Giants- Another year, another really good Ben Davis team. Losing their leader and point guard, Mark Zackery hurts but he really wasn’t available until the last couple of games last year so this group should be ok at the guard spot. The backcourt is a strong point with this team. Senior Jashawn Ladd is back and will be counted on to be the main guy for BD this season. Ladd averaged 13.2 ppg last year while becoming a Jr. All Star. Expect an even bigger season for Jashawn and a likely Indiana All Star nomination. Also returning in the backcourt is Sr. Sherman Moss Wright who’s expected to see his offensive output increase from 7 ppg last year. Moss Wright is a IU- Indy commit giving the Giants a strong 1-2 punch. Down low the Giants have some pieces that look to have big years now that Tavion Williams has graduated. 6’7 Prince Anga had a really good spring/ summer AAU and is a strong player down low. 6’8 senior Lewis Harvey will now get a chance to be the center piece for BD. Harvey and Anga’s inside presence will be key for the Giants success. A young piece looking to breakout is sophomore guard Eron McDuffey. McDuffey is the next in line of big time Ben Davis guards that may see a significant role as early as this year. 6’4 senior TJ Minor and 5’11 senior Taj Long will also see varsity minutes this season.
Key Games;
November 25 v. Fishers
January 30 v. Carmel
February 5 @ Pike
February 14 v. Lawrence Central
8. Carmel Greyhounds- After a uncharacteristic season for Carmel going 10-13, they should be back in the mix of state title contenders. There were alot of injuries on the northside last season and pretty much what could go wrong, did. Don’t expect 2 down years in a row for Carmel. They seem to have the height and depth this year that wasn’t there recently. 6’8 senior Evan Harrell seems like he’s been in the blue and gold for a decade now but the Bellarmine commit would like to go out with a big season. Staying healthy is a key but if he does he could make a real push for Indiana All Star honors. Three senior classmates in the backcourt all will play major roles for Carmel. 6’0 Ben Bremer, 6’0 Jamichael Fountain, and 6’5 Julian Vogt all bring something unique to the team. Fountain can be a lockdown perimeter defender, Vogt has good size for his position and shoot it, and Bremer can score it and get others involved. What really has Carmel fans excited is Cathedral transfer Cash Daniels. Cash is a 5’10 junior that will step in on Day 1 and play the point guard role. He’s a pure pg that will get others plenty of open shots and looks. Two juniors that will see good varsity minutes are 6’4 Vincent Nover and 6’4 Aiden Dickerson. As you can tell the Greyhounds have plenty of 6’3- 6’5 players that can play that 2 or 3 position. 6’9 sophomore Mark Shostak is a name to watch out for the future but the Greyhounds could decide to play big and use him accordingly. It will be hard as the season moves on to keep a kid with Mark’s height off the floor.
Key Games;
December 5 @ Lawrence Central
December 12 v. Noblesville
December 13 v. Crown Point @ Southport
January 16 v. Plainfield
7. Plainfield Quakers- This is arguably the Quakers best team/ roster they’ve had in school history. With all respect their 1999 3A state title team with Gavin Groniger; this group with Noah Smith, Harper Baker-Lands, and Landon Gilliatt gives this Plainfield team a ‘big 3.’ DePaul- commit Noah Smith is the big name on this Quakers roster. Smith is a 6’9 senior that is long and athletic. In the high school game he’s a real difference maker defensively down low and stretching the floor on the perimeter. He’s not the only likely Indiana All Star on this team; junior guard Harper Baker-Lands is one of the top ranked kids in the c/o ’27. Baker Lands had a big time spring/ summer with Indy Heat 16s winning the 16U title. There’s times when he sacrifices his game to get his teammates involved but Harper is more than capable to getting his own. 6’0 senior Landon Gilliatt looked like a big time player @ the Charlie Hughes when I watched Plainfield. Gilliatt is a knockdown shooter that is counted on at times to handle the ball. He’ll be a real nice NAIA/ D2 player somewhere. The question with this team will be ‘the others’ but there’s alot of upper classmen on this squad. Senior guards, Chase Swafford and Trey Barton will get some time in the backcourt. Seniors Isaac Stead and Logan Faires will provide some depth in the frontcourt. A name to remember for the future is 6’3 freshman wing Knox Madsen.
Key Games;
November 29 @ Noblesville
December 6 v. New Albany @ Brownsburg
January 16 @ Carmel
January 20 v. Lawrence North
6. Noblesville Millers- Even @ #6 the way Noblesville looked at the Charlie Hughes I may have them underrated. The Millers certainly have the backcourt to beat anyone in Indiana. 6’4 senior Justin Curry is likely an Indiana All Star lock and one of the top shooters in the state. The Valpo- commit comes into his 4th year playing in the black and gold and even if the shot isn’t falling, can get to the basket and finish. There’s a second Miller that’s also likely to be an Indiana All star. 6’2 senior Baron Walker is a Butler commit who actually the team’s leading returning scorer (15.7 ppg). Walker is a strong and steady point guard that obviously can get his own offense going. 6’0 senior guard Adam Fine is expected to increase his offensive output this year. 6’4 senior Max Flanigan is a Wabash commit + is also someone who will be counted on to play a more important role for the Millers. This team did lose a couple good pieces in TJ Davidson and Aiden Brewer but if some of their role players from last year step it up then Noblesville should be alright.
Key Games;
November 29 v. Plainfield
December 5 @ Fishers
December 12 @ Carmel
January 6 v. Pike
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