So we’re halfway into October which means we’ve only got 1 month left until some actual real games to report on. Rather than all the player, team rankings, and hype we’ll have games to get out and see. Until then we’ll continue on with the Top 50 Countdown with numbers #36- 40. There’s a big time program in north central Indiana that finds it’s way in the rankings with a potential junior all star. There’s a defending state champion that moves up a class this season. There’s a big time 4A in Indy that wants to return to it’s glory days of competing for titles every year. A team in the pocket city that many across the state don’t get to see are led by two returning sophomores make the countdown. Another team from the southwestern Indiana area makes an appearance that return alot from last year. And finally our third team from the SW Indiana region comes in this week in the Top 50 after return alot from last season. Let’s go ahead and take a look @ teams 36-40.
40. Evansville Harrison Warriors- Last year the Warriors went an uncharacteristic 13-11 after back to back sectional titles in ’24 and ’25. It was sort of a reload for Harrison and it started with 2 freshmen leading them in scoring. 6’5 sophomore Romyiez Calvin averaged 14.6 ppg and 8 rbs per game in his first varsity season. Calvin showed why he is one of the most productive players in southern Indiana and ranked 12th overall in the state for the class of ’29. In the backcourt another sophomore put up good numbers last season; 6’0 guard Aiden Terry averaged 10.8 ppg which was good enough for 2nd highest on the team. Jr. Amaury Harrell averaged 9.8 ppg which shows you just how young the Warriors went last year; being led by 2 freshmen and a sophomore. 6’3 senior Dean Underwood is back and should increase his 7.1 ppg from a season ago. Seniors Ady Thomas (5.2 ppg) and Ty Speer (2.6) will get some important minutes for Harrison this year. The 4 team sectional with Castle, North, and Reitz is always tough and will be again but Harrison should be thought of as the early favorites.
Key Games
December 4 v. New Albany
December 8 @ Boonville
February 4 v. Bloomington South
February 19 @ Evansville Bosse
39. Parke Heritage Wolves- Most of the time when you graduate your young school’s best all time player and a 6’8 college player at the 2A level you take a giant step back. They certainly won’t be quite the same without Treigh Schelsky and Issac Pickel, but the rest return for another run. This time it’s going to have to be in 3A because of the success- factor rule. Sr. Carter Crum is back and was actually the Wolves second leading scorer last season @ 13.7 ppg and 7 rbs. 6’2 Jr. Joel Miller will step into a bigger role and starting spot after putting up just over 8 ppg last year. 6’7 Jr. Michael Smith is a good candidate for a breakout player now that Pickle has graduated. Smith will give them a good size front line for 3A. Seniors Brenden Goins (7.8 ppg), Leyton McMullen (4.2 ppg), and Jonah Hopkins (3.2 ppg) will all have larger roles this year and be key players for PH. There’s another Schelsky in the system that some say is even better than his brother, but they’ll have to wait until next year because he’s currently just an 8th grader. For now PH would have been one of the favorites in 2A to repeat, but were put into a winnable Sectional 28 @ BNL.
Key Games
November 28 v. Decatur Central @ Greencastle
December 11 v. Brownsburg
January 16 @ Zionsville
January 23 @ Bedford NL
(t) 38. Boonville Pioneers- It could be a very special season for the Pioneers down in the southwest corner of Indiana. Last year this group when 20-5 and 10-2 in their conference. The only thing that eluded them was a sectional title. In fact their last sectional championship came all the way back in the 2009-10 season. Much like Gibson Southern their leading returners are seniors this year. It starts with 6’3 senior Jaxon McCain. McCain averaged 13 ppg and 6.8 rbs last season. Bradyn Egli is another senior that averaged 10.8 ppg last time out. Senior guard Cash Willis also put up 10 ppg and 2.7 assists. And finally Sr. guard Ian Wahl averaged 6 ppg and 3.1 rbs in the 25-26 season. Those are the 4 returning starters for the Pioneers with some others having to step up. One of them being Sr. Wyatt Kuebler who got alot of varsity PT last year but will likely give the Pioneers a starting lineup of 5 seniors. Junior Jaylon Graber is also back after putting up 10 ppg and 4 rbs.
Key Games
December 4 @ Evansville Bosse
December 8 v. Evansville Harrison
January 29 @ Gibson Southern
(t) 38. Gibson Southern Trojans- This is a very senior- led Trojan team. If there’s a year for Gibson Southern to make a run it looks like it should be this season. Leading the way is 6’6 Sr. Kolton Schmitt who averaged 14.7 last time out. Schmitt is one of the Pocket City’s better kept secrets on the basketball court but his future may be on the mound as he’s a big time baseball prospect. Sr. guard Reece Runyan put up 13 ppg and is back for another year of leading the team. Another senior guard Knox Lab put up 9.1 ppg last season. If all 3 of those guys increase their scoring average this year the Trojans will be very underrated ranked @ #37. Giving GS some height is 6’6 Sr. Ben Reinhart. He averaged 5.1 ppg last season. Seniors Elijah Ortiz (3.6 ppg) and Peyton Johnson (2.4 ppg) will step up their roles and PT this year. It could be a special season for a Gibson Southern team who’ve won 1 sectional since the 2002- 2003 season. It won’t be easy with Princeton, Heritage Hills, Jasper, Southridge, Washington, and Vincennes Lincoln in their sectional.
Key Games
December 5 v. Indy Cathedral @ Brownsburg
January 8 @ Heritage Hills
January 15 @ Princeton
January 29 v. Boonville
37. North Central Panthers- It’s never easy on the northside of Indianapolis with the Panthers schedule. NC went 8-14 last season after dealing with some transfers. I liked what I saw out of the Panthers in the game I saw them @ the Charlie Hughes v. Greenwood. They’re going to play fast; especially with one of the state’s fastest rising juniors. 6’5 combo wing David Smith averaged just 6.8 ppg last season but he’s one of the longer and better athletes in an area of the state full of them. Smith was ranked as the 12th best player in ’28 for a reason. The leading returning scorer for the Panthers is 6’2 senior guard Bryce Harris who scored 1o ppg. 6’3 Sr. Caleb Rhodes is another returning Panther that should increase his numbers from 6.7 ppg. Seniors Caden Rhodes, Elijah Anderson, and Antonio McFarland will get more PT this year and contribute. Derion Barlow is a soph. transfer in from Shortridge that will make an impact for NC. What really gets Panther fans excited is the arrival of one of the top freshmen in the state, 6’5 Parker Jefferson. Jefferson looks like a potential top 10 kid in the 2030 class that doesn’t look or play like a freshman. His game reminds me some of an old throwback Panther, Anthony Passley from the 2004 class.
Key Games
November 24 @ Brownsburg
December 12 v. Cathedral
January 8 v. Ben Davis
January 12- 16 Marion County Tournament
36. Kokomo Wildkats- A familiar face comes in at #36. Since the 2021-22 season Kokomo has won 103 games with a state runner up in 2023. Even with Coach Drew Schauss starting his 2nd season as the lead Kat, the expectation is to keep on winning. It starts with a potential Jr. All star in 6’6 forward DJ Nash. Nash averaged 15 ppg, 6.3 rebounds per game, and 3.5 assists last season and looks to improve even more on those numbers. Sr. Erivon Burks returns after averaging 8.4 points per game while shooting 38% from three and Jr. Austin Moos provides another perimeter threat after shooting 56% from the field and 43% from three. Those 2 look to have a starting spot for the Kats along with Nash. As does 6’9 Sr. Josaphat Kanyinda who should improve on his 1.8 ppg from last year. Kanyinda is an athletic presence who runs the floor, finishes above the rim, and protects the basket. A name to remember this year for Kokomo is Jr. Kimoni Wright. Wright brings size and athleticism to the backcourt, great at getting downhill, and creating for teammates, as well as controlling the pace. Jr. Cooper Caldwell should get some more PT this season as well. Coach Drew Schauss says that, “With a combination of experience, size, athleticism, we have a strong foundation to defend NCC title and make a push for a sectional championship.”
Key Games
January 9 v. FW Snider
January 15 v. Harrison West Lafayette
February 9 v. Hamilton Southeastern
February 26 @ Huntington North