The best weekend event of June is just about here and set to tip off on Friday, June 26th. This is going to be a preview of what to look for and expect @ the Charlie Hughes such as players to watch, best games to see, and teams to check out. Although it’s not the regular season and you could just chalk it up to, “it’s just June ball,’ it gives everyone a chance to see all the best teams in the state @ one location (Carmel/ Westfield area). One thing that makes the Charlie Hughes really stand out to is teams from all areas of the state that normally wouldn’t get to play each other during the regular season can meet up here. For example a team right across the river from Louisville, KY. in New Albany will play against a team on the Michiana border, SB St. Joe’s. One of the expected top contenders in 2A, Westview plays an always strong 4A Bloomington South. When player and team rankings come out later in the summer alot of it will be based on what I see this weekend (as well as other factors obviously). After the weekend they’ll be a Charlie Hughes Review with game write ups, a 1st team, breakout players, and top newcomers. Make sure and check that out early next week.
Matchups to Watch
Friday
Game- Plainfield v. South Bend Riley 10:00 AM @ Carmel Aux.
Why to Watch; Two of the state’s better ’27 point guards matchup in this one in Harper Baker Lands v. Da’kori Parker. Both squads lost alot of firepower from last year but this will be a good chance for both teams to make a statement
Game- Blackford v. Scecina 10:00 AM @ Carmel Blue
Why to Watch; Another really strong individual matchup between two ’28 kids in Jaylin Foster @ Scecina and Amari Leggett @ Blackford. There’s also a shot at this being a 2A state championship game preview in about 9 months.
Game- Scottsburg v. Shelbyville 11:10 AM @ Carmel Main
Why to Watch; This should be a sneaky good game between two very even teams. Golden Bear Camden Thoman is one of the better players in his 2029 class and this gives you a chance to see what he can do with this Shelbyville team that was hit hard by graduation. The Warriors have a strong mix of players to see in Sr. Jarin Luttrell, Jr. Caiden Boswell, and sophomores Jaxon Owens + Caleb Salas.
Game- Westview v. Noblesville 12:20 @ Carmel Aux
Why to Watch; With so many games, teams, and players to see this weekend this is my best spot to check out the defending 2A runner up Warriors. Austin Schlabach has a shot @ being an Indiana All Star so make sure you fit Westview on your schedule this weekend. 4A Noblesville lost alot but they usually reload rather than rebuild. A win for Westview here would go a long way for their preseason rankings.
Game- Blackford v. Bloomington South 12:20 @ Carmel Main
Why to Watch; If you didn’t get a chance to see Leggett in the earlier game this is another chance to check out him and a top 5 2A Blackford team going into next year. 6’7 Sr. Eli Petro will be important in this one for the Bruins. The Panthers feature Jr. All Star Duncan Combs and bring in one of the state’s better incoming freshmen in Miles Simpson.
Game- Pike v. Penn 12:20 @ Westfield Main
Why to Watch- If you’re not @ Carmel this is the time to be @ Westfield H.S. for this matchup of two giants. Both should enter the year comfortably in the top 10. As long as everyone for Pike shows up they’ll be must-see all weekend. If Penn’s junior Caleb Coolman makes a strong showing against a full Pike team, he could solidify a top 3 or 4 spot in the ’28 class.
Game- Lawrence North v. Guerin Catholic 1:30 @ Carmel Aux
Why to Watch- Guerin looks to be a top 5 team in 3A this upcoming season with a strong senior class; Jake Grissom, Carter Murans, and Hayden Rogers. LN is reloading with arguably the best class of incoming freshmen in the state. It’s a good chance to check out 6’6 Levin Robinson who looks to be a top 10-20 kid in the whole nation.
Game- East Chicago Central v. Kokomo 1:30 @ Carmel Gold
Why to Watch- If you don’t get another chance to check out these two squads now would be the time to do it. ECC brings in 4 strong sophomores returning from a 3A semi state team. Both teams want to play fast paced and should be an entertaining game. DJ Nash, Austin Moos, Josephat Kanyinda, and Erivon Burks give the Kats a chance to be an under the radar- good team this season.
Game- New Albany v. Zionsville 2:40 @ Carmel Main
Why to Watch- The Bulldogs will come into the season as one of 4 teams that could lay claim to the top spot. The duo of ’29 Karson Stoudemire and ’28 Noah Washington is one of the best in the state but the McKee brothers, Seth Winslow, and Greyson Grubbs are all capable of big games. Zionsville is back in the mix this year looking like a Top 10 preseason team. This game will tell me alot of where both teams are at.
Game- Pike v. Silver Creek 2:40 @ Westfield Ct. 1
Why to Watch- This is a rematch from last year’s Charlie Hughes classic where Pike won by 1 or 2. This matchup could possibly be the #1 team in 4A v. the #1 team in 3A. It will be interesting to see the matchup of Pike’s quickness against SC’s pg Brandon Hunter. The Dragons are one of the few teams that could help negate Isaiah Hill’s size with multiple bigs to throw at him.
Game- Crown Point v. Lawrence North 3:55 @ Carmel Main
Why to Watch- I’m going to see Lawrence North at least once this weekend and I’m just not sure which of the two I’ll go to yet. Getting to see how CP Jr. MJ Wilson handles ‘his own team’ this season after massive graduation loss is something to check out. Both teams are borderline Top 10-15 teams going into next season and a W here for either team would go a long way.
Game- Mt. Vernon v. New Haven 3:55 @ Carmel Gold
Why to watch- This is another game that if you don’t get another chance to see New Haven play or Max Vise for Mt. Vernon, this is the perfect slot to see both. The Bulldogs have played well all June after winning IWU’s team camp going 10-0. A good showing @ the Charlie Hughes could convince me to put them as the preseason #1 team in 3A.
Game- New Albany v. Chesterton 5:05 @ Carmel Aux
Why to Watch- There aren’t many rising as fast as Chesterton’s Brad Basila. Plus the Trojans may be the Region’s best team this year. New Albany has a chance to make a real statement this weekend and they kick off with two really strong opponents in Zionsville and Chesterton.
Game- East Chicago Central v. Oak Hill 5:05 @ Carmel Fieldhouse 1
Why to Watch- I’ve mentioned ECC’s baby birds are a year older and should be better. I’ll be at one of their 2 games but probably not both. A win here against a well- oiled Oak Hill machine would tell me alot about the Cards. Oak Hill has had a strong June up to this point and are looking to make a claim for the 2A top spot. Sophomore Will Tonagel is a must-see this weekend.
Game- Culver Academy v. Charlestown 6:15 @ Carmel Fieldhouse 3
Why to Watch- With the Pirates graduating their first ever Indiana All Star, Anthony Fresh they’ll be rebuilding with a sneaky good backcourt. Incoming freshman Caleb Odle has a chance to really make a name for himself this weekend and Jr. New Albany transfer Kiyron Johnson is one of the more slept on kids in southern Indiana. The sophomore duo for Culver to watch is JT Rink and Dominique Jennings.
Game- New Haven v. Decatur Central 7:30 @ Carmel Aux
Why to Watch- New Haven is just simply a must-see team at this event. The 3A runner ups return most everyone and should probably still be considered 3A North favorites. Tarvar Baskerville has a chance to make the Indiana All Star team. DC was maybe a surprise semi state team in 4A South last year, but they return the bulk of their lineup too. Sr. Nash Sigmund is one of the better 3 pt. shooters in the state.
Saturday
Game- Homestead v. Pike 10:10 @ Carmel Aux
Why to Watch- This should be a pretty good way to start a full slate of Saturday games. Mack Welker is the name to know for a Homestead squad that should be in the Top 10 to start the year. As long as Pike returns everyone they’re likely entering the season #1 but I’m not sure Jahari Miller or the Lampley bros have played with Pike at all so far this month. It will be interesting to see who shows up.
Game- Austin v. Liberty Christian 11:20 @ Carmel Aux
Why to Watch- Not only do you get to stay @ the Aux gym from the last really good game, you’ll get to see one of the 1A favorites go up against one of the 2A favorites. LC is loaded with athletes that like to get up and down and just recently added Antonio Baymon who returned to Indiana for his senior year from Florida. Austin features one of the state’s top ranked incoming sophomores in Micah Mohler plus added Madison transfer, Braysen Russell. It will be interesting to see how the Eagles handle the quickness and pressure of LC. Personally one of my favorite matchups of the weekend.
Game- Pike v. Crown Point 12:30 @ Carmel Main
Why to Watch- Once again, if all of Pike’s guys are there they’re the squad to watch this weekend. Regardless Purdue signee- Isaiah Hill will be there and Cathedral transfer soph. Ryan Gold. It will be interesting to see how the young soph. duo of Liam Bazen and Christian Hughes handle the speed and pressure that Pike puts on them. Lampley v. MJ Wilson will be a fun individual matchup in this one.
Game- SB St. Joe’s v. New Albany 1:45 @ Carmel Blue + Austin v. Princeton @ Carmel Gold
Why to Watch- Both games are happening right next to each other so this gives you a chance to catch 2 for 1. New Albany v. St. Joe’s is too good to miss. There’s really good individual matchups all over the floor. Elijah King v. Noah Washington, Drew Dixon v. Karson Stoudemire, and the chance to check out one of the state’s top incoming freshmen, Markiss Northern for St. Joe’s. One of the more fun players in the state to watch is Princeton’s Jr. Quintyn Voltz. The matchup with Voltz and Tracen Roush will be fun and if you haven’t seen Micah Mohler yet, here’s your chance.
Game- Silver Creek v. Penn 2:55 @ Carmel Main
Why to Watch- A really fun matchup of arguably two of the top guards in the state in SC’s Brandon Hunter and Penn’s Caleb Coolman. A big question in this game is can Penn’s Mikell Burton guard a much taller SC team? The Dragons top 6 guys are listed at 6’4, 6’5, 6’5, 6’6, 6’7, and 6’8. Penn’s Sr. big Makale Price will have his hands full in this one.
Game- Merrillville v. New Pal. 2:55 @ Carmel Blue
Why to Watch- The Pirates come in with one of the best incoming freshmen trios in the state (Nasir Faniel, Peyton Thomas, and James Walton) and they only play on Saturday so this is 1 of 2 chances to get to catch them. And don’t forget about their top 10 junior, Charles Hardiman. I’m 100% watching Merrillville in 1 of their 2. New Pal. features a bucket getter in Jr. Will Davison who’s getting some some mid major D1 looks.
Game- Terre Haute North v. New Albany 4:05 @ Carmel Aux
Why to Watch- This game is a rematch of the semi state last season @ New Castle. Blake Hammond and Tyler Renn return for the Patriots who will still be a likely favorite to return to the semi state from their area this year. Both teams will be playing at the HOF Classic in December. If this is your only chance to see the Bulldogs you’ve got to make it a point to see. They’re one of the more fast paced teams in the state.
Game- Blackford @ Westview 4:05 @ Westfield Ct. 1
Why to Watch- If you’re over @ Westfield this is the game to catch. Especially if you want a potential 2A North semi state preview. Both teams will come into next season as top 4 teams in 2A. The individual matchup of Bruin Jr. Amarian Leggett and Warrior Sr. Austin Schlabach will be fun. This is a really good small school matchup.
Game- Merrillville v. Harrison (West Lafayette) 5:15 @ Carmel Main
Why to Watch- This is another chance to see the Merrillville trio of freshmen if you haven’t already. And Jr. Charles Hardiman is a mid major D1 prospect who already has an offer from San Jose St. and Southern Utah. Harrison’s Brody Baker was a Jr. All Star and the matchup with him and Hardiman will be fun, especially offensively.
Game- Silver Creek v. FW Snider 6:30 @ Carmel Aux
Why to Watch- Snider has been one of the better programs in the FW area the last few years but this is the class they’ve been building towards. Trell Hogue, Tank Paschall, and Chance Derossett give Snider a chance to make it farther than semi state this year. This would be a big W and will tell me alot about whoever wins this one.
Sunday
Game- Austin v. Brebeuf 10:00 @ Westfield Intermediate Ct. 2
Why to Watch- Brebeuf is one of those sneaky good teams that could end up being a serious contender in 3A South. Most of their lineup outside of Austin Ford returns this season for the Braves. If Mohler is the top ranked player in the c/o ’29 these are the games he’s going to need to show up in. If he can be the best player on the floor it will tell me alot.
Game- Gary Westside v. New Palestine 10:00 @ Carmel Aux
Why to Watch- Cougar soph. big Prentiss Gates could make a real statement on Sunday that he should be in consideration for best player in the class of ’29. Teammate and classmate Deshawn Clay is not far behind. New Pal. feature Jr. Will Davison who’s getting some D1 looks. Jr. Layton Pardue could be due for a breakout season.
Game- Westfield v. Cathedral 11:10 @ Westfield Main
Why to Watch- The Irish are coming off a state title and although they lost some important pieces, they’ll be one of the favorites again this season. Soph. Jayden Kennedy has had a really strong spring and it will be his show to run. Westfield has one of the state’s better incoming freshmen in Maddux Smith and this will be a good chance to see him play against some legit comp.
Game- Gary Westside v. Lawrence Central 12:20 @ Carmel Aux
Why to Watch- The Cougars come in with one of the better sophomore duos in the state (Prentiss Gates and Deshawn Clay). Both kids are pushing for a spot in the top 10, if not top 5 for the class. A good showing against a good LC team would go a long way in their player ranking. The Bears are in sort of a reloading year but they’re never ‘down’ for long.
Game- North Central (Indy) v. Franklin 1:30 @ Carmel Fieldhouse 1
Why to Watch- The Panthers have one of the best incoming freshmen classes in the state and are looking to bring NC back to being one of Indy’s best. Tomarri Patterson comes into high school as a top 20- 25 kid nationally in the 2030 class. I want to see with my own eyes if Patterson is going to be that level and one of the state’s top freshmen.
Game- North Daviess v. Knightstown 2:40 @ Carmel Fieldhouse 1
Why to Watch- The new look Cougars with new coach Dusty Cole will make some noise in 1A south this year and be a sneaky contender to knock off defending state champ Barr Reeve. Freshman Finn Cole is one of southern Indiana’s best and soph. Khalil Wagler is one of the better unknown players in his class.
Underrated Players on the Must- See List
Soph. Kaleb Anderson- Elkhart
Sr. Lucas Linderman- Silver Creek
Jr. Jaxson Johnson- Delta
Soph. Deshawn Clay- Gary West
Sr. Levi Walker- Fishers
Jr. Kyan Hudson- Eastern (Greene)
5 Under the Radar Teams on the Must- See List
Trinity Lutheran Cougars
Jimtown Jimmies
Shortridge Blue Devils
Brebeuf Braves
Portage Indians
Incoming Freshmen to put on your Must- See List
Levin Robinson- Lawrence North
Tomarri Patterson- North Central (Indy)
Jase Brooks- FW North
Markiss Northern- SB St. Joe’s
Cam Rauch- New Haven
Nasir Faniel- Merrillville
Maddox Smith- Westfield
Colt Robbins- Bedford NL
Finn Cole- North Daviess
Miles Simpson- Bloomington South
Caleb Odle- Charlestown
Liam Kitch- Warsaw
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