It seems like the fall has been slowly dragging along and in less than 4 weeks we’re finally going to have actual games to report on. In this edition of the 6 Pack we’re going to look into the south for half our questions. There looks to be some clear favorites in 1A, 2A, and 4A South and who (if anyone) can stop that matchup from happening. I’ll dive into potential first time state champions from schools that have never won a boys state title. Also there’s some young talent coming soon in the Indy area. When was a kid from Indiana last ranked as the top prospect nationally? With the player rankings just finished up on the site and the Top 50 countdown moving along, we ask the question; “do rankings really matter?”
Can anyone derail the Pike v. New Albany 4A South Semi State matchup?
Before the season starts and on paper it certainly looks like New Albany and Pike are the clear favorites in 4A South. During June both teams looked every bit the part of being two of the top 5 teams in the state. Pike will certainly have the height advantage if this matchup happens. 7’0 Isaiah Hill, 6’9 Van Garner, and the 6’6 Lampley bros. If there is a team that could speed the Red Devils up and give them problems it’s New Albany with their surplus of guards and constant pressure. But the question is; can anyone stop this matchup from happening down south. One of the candidates would be Brownsburg, who gets to host the sectional that Pike is a part of. The Bulldogs have some height to matchup with Pike and Coach Steve Lynch can give any team problems. Terre Haute North’s chances took a hit when 6’9 junior Tyler Renn decided to leave for prep school. It would have been a tough ask for THN to beat New Albany or Pike with Renn, now that task gets even harder. Columbus North has a shot at least of getting to face New Albany or Pike in the regional or possibly semi state. Austin Perry and Kyle Edwards are a tough duo in the backcourt but don’t have near the height that Pike or Brownsburg have. My vote for who (if it happens) has the best chance to pull the upset by the end of the season Lawrence North’s young squad. LN could put some things together and really present some challenges to Pike or New Albany. It’s hard to depend on freshmen at that level but Levin Robinson and Dominique Hollowell will likely both be starters by then and junior Chandon Gilbert is capable of having some big time games this year.
Can anyone derail the Scecina v. Austin 2A South Semi State matchup?
The short answer for this is, it’s going to be tough. You can never count out a pretty solid Brownstown team in Austin’s own sectional. Coach Dave Benter has some talent to work with this season and their style of play could give Austin trouble in a 1 game scenario. South Ripley won’t be a pushover either in Sectional 45. The Raiders return all but one of their top 8 players from last year’s 18-6 team. One of Providence or Paoli will likely get through and could be a possible opponent. Coach Miller @ Providence will slow-up the game and really guard Austin’s offensive firepower. Paoli has a good number of guys back including Dakota Apple and incoming 6’5 freshman Owen Sullivan. Eastern Green is a sneaky good pick to make it to a regional this year. A Mark James coached Triton Central squad is never easy to just dismiss for Scecina in their own sectional. University just keeps reloading and Park Tudor is dangerous again. There are certainly obstacles for both Austin and Scecina but I don’t foresee anyone just blowing away Benter’s Brownstown bunch so if there is trouble, it could be the Braves @ the sectional. A potential South Ripley Friday night game and Brownstown Saturday night finals would not be ideal for Austin.
Can anyone derail the Barr Reeve v. Liberty Christian 1A South State matchup?
So you’re noticing a theme in these questions. There seems to be some heavy favorites in the southern half of the state this year. Barr Reeve and Liberty Christian met up in last year’s semi state @ Washington on the way to a Vikings state title. If the Lions make it to this year’s semi state it will be their 3rd in 3 years. Two teams that play completely different styles would be a great semi state final. One team that could spoil the rematch would be Cloverdale with their 6’10 junior Ishmael Kiteka. Any team at the 1A level with that kind of size is going to be a factor and matchup nightmare. Tindley may be a year away with some good young talent but 6’8 sophomore transfer Eli Wilson will make a big impact for the Tigers. Tindley will be one of the few 1A teams that could at least try and matchup up speed-wise with LC. Trinity Lutheran has been planning on this season for a while with an experienced group of upper classmen. West Washington and Waldron could be threats to at least get to the semi state with a matchup with BR or LC. Out of all the classes a rematch with Liberty Christian and Barr Reeve seems the most likely.
Will there be a team win a state championship that has never won a state title before?
4A is going to be tough to make a case for with this question. Schools like Portage, Chesterton, and Decatur Central probably have the best chance, but 4A is just so tough to go through. Crown Point was super close to winning their first ever boys state title last year but came up just short. They may be a year away from making another good run to Indy. The Trojans of Chesterton made it to the state finals in 2022 before losing to Cathedral. Most likely one of either Chesterton or Portage at least makes it to a semi state where anything can happen. Decatur Central could also return to the semi state where New Albany, LN, and Pike are likely waiting. To answer the question the two most likely first time state champs look to be in 2A. The Scecina Crusaders and Austin Eagles are already two of the favorites to get to Indy from 2A South. If one of them gets there they’ll have a shot to win their first state title in school history. In fact, neither school has even been to the state finals. Scecina made the semi state back when it was 1 game in 2018 while Austin made a trip in 2002 led by Anthony Winchester before losing to eventual state champs, Speedway. There is a team in 1A that could find their way to Indy come March. The North Vermillion Falcons are one of the favorites in 1A North and have a path to get there. They have also never made it to Indy with the furthest being in 2002 at the semi state. All of the favorites in 3A have been state champions at least once.
When is the last time a kid from Indiana was ranked #1 nationally?
The state has had alot of talent and even some guys that have had good NBA careers that weren’t ranked #1 nationally. Eric Gordon from North Central was in most everyone’s top 5 back in 2007 but that was a loaded class with Kevin Love, Michael Beasley, OJ Mayo, Kyle Singler, Bill Walker, and Derrick Rose. Love got the top spot in ESPN class of 2007 rankings with Gordon coming in 2nd. Fun fact; E’Twaun Moore from East Chicago was ranked 20th, one spot ahead of James Harden in that ESPN ranking. In 2014 Trey Lyles from Indy Tech took the #6 spot in the ESPN rankings with Jahlil Okafor from Chicago taking the top spot. In 2018 Romeo Langford came in the final ESPN rankings @ #5 overall with RJ Barrett and Zion Williamson taking the top 2 spots. With all that being said, in 2006 Greg Oden from Lawrence North was ranked at the top spot by most everyone with Kevin Durant coming in @ #2. So the answer to this question is 2006 and what made me even bring up this question is Indy’s Amos Littles in the class of 2031 (8th grade) from Northview Middle School was recently ranked #1 in the nation by Prep Hoops scouts. As of now Littles is undecided on a high school but you can be sure every school in the Indy area will be wanting him to wear their uniform next year where he will make an instant impact. It will have been 25 years since Indiana has had a #1 ranked player nationally. It’s a long time before he finishes up in 2031 so we don’t know how it will play out but Littles looks the part for a young age with skills and room to grow even more (he’s 6’5 already). We could be looking at a fun next few years for Indiana high school basketball with Levin Robinson @ Lawrence North (class of 2030) ranked by most in the top 15 nationally, Landon Jones @ River Valley MS in Jeffersonville (class of 2031) recently ranked #9 nationally, and Amos Littles @ #1 (class of 2031). Prep Hoops also named 3032 7th grader Ayden Garth from Indy the top ranked player in his class as well.
Do rankings really matter?
Speaking of rankings, since we’ve done our player rankings last month for each class and now we’re onto out Top 50 team rankings, I want to pose the question; do rankings really matter? I’ve certainly had plenty of comments with people disagreeing with certain rankings (and a few good comments as well). Prep Hoops just released their 2030 rankings before they’ve ever played a high school game. In terms of the bigger picture and whether or not having someone ranked 34th as opposed to 39th, it doesn’t really matter statewide. College coaches and programs know who you are. If they’re interested you’ll hear from them or if they’re not, you simply won’t. In a recent 520 Podcast they mentioned this topic and said it doesn’t really matter unless you get to the NBA when everyone is making money. I guess you could say that’s the case with colleges now too. On a national scale if ESPN ranks you in the top whatever with 4 or 5 stars it could mean more NIL money in today’s game. Even though ESPN and Nike certainly have their favorites of who plays on which circuit. The difference is I have no circuits or hidden agendas. Some college coaches do check out this site so I wouldn’t compromise my reputation playing favorites. Nobody can see everyone, every minute of every game. I see as much as I can and make a best estimate based on past experiences. When you’ve watched alot of ball it only takes you a few plays or a couple minutes to know really what they can and can’t do and potential. It doesn’t mean myself, anyone in Indiana, ESPN, or coaches are always right. We could be dead wrong and a kid that’s way too low climbs up the ladder and becomes a good college player. If he does then so be it. There’s a whole state of kids to see and watch, not just 1 kid or 1 team, so while someone may be an expert about their kid or 1 team, coaches, scouts, evaluators can only see so much of 1 player or 1 team. So no, rankings aren’t the be- all/ end-all and alot of people seem to have them on social media. It’s all for fun and I’d advise players to just work hard and everything just takes care of itself. That being said, I’d put mine up against anyone’s.
Leave a Reply