We’re on the clock for the 2026-2027 season with June ball officially starting this week. A new year brings new contenders, new players, and more questions. In this write up I’m going to look into a 6 Pack of Questions going into June and what may be the answers. This is something new that I’ll try and put one out once a month so we’ll see how it goes. It could be a question about a player, a team, a rule, or in general about the game. I’ve seen as much spring AAU events as anyone out there as many of you have followed my updates on social media or listened to on the Courtside Indiana podcast. Now that it’s officially the first day of June let’s switch our attention to the high school game and enjoy this 1st Edition of 6 Pack of Questions.
How will Crown Point respond to losing 6 good seniors from a State Runner Up team? Alot of this answer depends on the growth and development of junior MJ Wilson. Wilson got some starts last year with that really good senior group and has showed alot of promise in AAU ball with GPP. There’s talk of him being in the mix of top 5-10 kids in the ’28 class. I’ve got to see him leading his own team before I put that top 5 ranking on him so I’ll be sure to check CP out a few times in June. The Dogs also return seniors Reid Kaegi, Cooper Malaski, and Nathan Drohosky. There’s a good mix coming up from the jv team as well with sophomore guards Christian Hughes and Liam Bazin. Losing 2 D1 kids that have played with 3 semi states hurts but Crown Point is looking to reload rather than rebuild.
Will there be any transfers leaving for prep schools? Every year (at least for the last few) there’s been some good in-state talent that leaves their school and goes prep. This year we’ve already had Garrett Winegar, former coach @ Fishers leave for a prep school in Iowa. And he also took Zionsville’s former coach with him. A couple years ago it was Jalen Haralson who played June ball with Fishers and then headed up to LaLu for his last 2 years. It’s not just a new/ recent thing either; D’vauntes Smith-Rivera from North Central left to go prep for his senior season and that was around 15 years ago. Usually the mass transfer portal to other schools in-state or out of state to preps happens after the month of June ball and in July. There’s certainly some candidates and definitely rumors but it could have a huge impact on who will be the favorites going into the 2026-27 season.
Who are some of the teams to watch for in June Ball and @ the Charlie Hughes? Usually June is a spring board and nice preview of what’s to come for next season. Two years ago you got to see a state finals preview with Jeffersonville defeating Fishers in the Carmel Auxiliary gym. Last year Crown Point got by Fishers @ the Carmel main gym. Two state finals previews @ the Charlie Hughes event. Will there be another state finals preview this June? Some early candidates are Pike, Carmel, New Albany, and Fishers as “the big 4” before any possible transfers hit. Putting these 4 in the top group together @ the Charlie Hughes event would be entertaining. In terms of 3A we may be looking at another Silver Creek v. Cathedral rematch. Guerin Catholic, Delta, and New Haven are also teams to put on your Must-See List for June. 2A will be loaded this year with competitive teams; especially up North with Oak Hill, Blackford, Blackhawk, Westview, Bremen, and Jimtown while in the southern half Austin and Scecina are teams you should check out. I believe all will be @ the Charlie Hughes event. Some up and coming teams to watch if you are spending the whole weekend up @ Carmel/ Westfield for the CH are Portage, Evansville Mater Dei, and FW Snider.
With the spring AAU period over, who really helped themselves? Let’s start off with Pike’s junior to be, Landon Lampley. Already considered one of the top prospects in the state, he may have put himself in the category of one of the best prospects (top 25) in the country. As long as he stays @ Pike, the Red Devils may have the best player in the class of ’27 and ’28. Not to over-do it but MJ Wilson had a really good spring with GPP and now that Crown Point is ‘his team’, Wilson could make a run at being a top 5 player in that c/o ’28. I’d rather be too early than too late so I’m staying up in The Region for my next player; Gary Westside’s Prentiss Gates has put up good spring numbers for Meanstreets 15U squad. Gates has Isaiah Hill- like blocking instincts and right now his defense is ahead of his offense. But throughout the spring his #’s have progressively gotten better. At 6’8 and just beginning to scratch the surface of how good he can be, he’s got a chance to be the best player in the class of ’29 when it’s all said and done. Speaking of top kids in their class, Micah Mohler from Austin had a great spring for Midwest BBall Club on the 3SSB circuit. Mohler put himself in conversations not just statewide but nationally averaging 19.4 ppg and 9.1 rbs. He should lead Austin into a preseason top 5 ranking in 2A.
Is there a clear Mr. Basketball favorite? The last few year’s we’ve had a pretty good idea before the season started who would be the Mr. Basketball favorite. It was Luke Ertel last year, Braylon Mullins in 2025, and Flory Bidunga in 2024. Has anyone in the class of ’27 really separated themselves? Pike’s 7’0 Isaiah Hill is obviously the top college prospect and the best rim protector the state has seen in a while. The Purdue-commit is probably the slight favorite going into the season. But Fisher’s Cooper Zachary is a 1-time state champion and 1- time runner up. So is Jason Gardner who’s dad was a Mr. Basketball in 1999 which would make them the first father/ son combo to win the award. And Pike’s Jahari Miller could put his name in the convo with a strong season and being a top 50-60 player nationally. So to answer the question, no there is not a clear favorite but more than likely will come from one of those 4. And there’s always the question; who will stay in Indiana and who will go to prep school?
Who will be the big Impact incoming freshman to watch for? Last year we had a pretty good group of incoming 2029 kids that made impacts and led their teams in scoring. For example; Micah Mohler led Austin with 20+ ppg and a spot in the semi state. I’ve got some candidates I feel like could do the same; 6’7 Levin Robinson @ Lawrence North will come in as the top prospect in all of 2030 and someone I feel will be a top 15 kid nationally at some point in his high school career. Not many have led 4A LN in scoring as a freshman and the Wildcats have a loaded ’30 class. A sleeper down south to watch out for is Collin Flint @ Southwestern (Hanover). Flint is a big time scorer with a good shot and some size. He could have a Mohler- type impact for SW if he can lead the Rebels in scoring and to a sectional championship. Finn Cole made the move over to North Daviess and will be an instant impact player for the Cougars as one of the best 2030 kids in all of southern Indiana. Fort Wayne North, Portage, and Merrillville also have good classes of incoming freshmen that could make their teams sectional sleepers in March. Be on the lookout for a 1st Look Watch List of 2030s coming out soon where well over 100 in the c/o 2030 are named.
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