Week 1 Preview
Our new Week In Preview segment looks at the ten best games of the coming week from around the state. These contests will feature some of the top teams and individual talent from all corners of Indiana. All times listed are Eastern.
Tuesday November 25th:
Lawrence Central at Brownsburg 7:30pm
A matchup of great shooting guard prospects pits undecided 2015 guard KJ Walton of Brownsburg against 2016 Virginia commit Kyle Guy. But those aren’t the only college prospects in this matchup, as Brownsburg also has 2015 point guard Darrian Ringo and 2015 forward Jordache Mavunga while LC brings guard Mekhi Biffle and forward Nash Griffin. This game will also mark the debut for new Lawrence Central coach Al Gooden, who took over the Bears job after more than 20 years of success in northeast Indiana.
Wednesday November 26th:
Fort Wayne Concordia at Norwell 7:45pm
Concordia looks to rebound after losing Indiana All-Star DJ McCall to graduation, but they do return point guard Reggie Tharp and forward Paxton Bergdoll, a pair of 2016 D1 prospects. Norwell features a couple of seniors in athletic 6’2 shooting guard Austin Hayden and D1 football prospect Piercen Harnish.
Huntington North at Homestead 7:45pm
Homestead begins its march towards a state title behind our top 2015 prospect, 6’8 forward Caleb Swanigan. The Spartans are far from a one man show, however, as they also have 6’9 Colgate pledge Dana Batt and return starting guard Tahj Curry from their semistate team last year. Homestead as also added Penn transfer Jordan Geist to the roster which will be a big boost. Huntington North returns leading scorer Caleb Landrum, a 6’3 wing, as well as 6’ guard Konnor Platt and 6’6 forward Cody Adams.
Zionsville at Carmel 7:30pm
Zionsville gave Carmel everything they wanted last year in sectional play, and they return most of that team, including 7’ Valpo signee Derrick Smits and the backcourt tandem of 5’8 point guard Braden Hall and 6’1 shooter Jake Mann. Carmel is looking to get back to the state finals behind Mr. Basketball contender and Purdue signee Ryan Cline, a 6’5 guard, as well as Air Force-bound 6’6 small forward Keegan Culp, both of whom are phenomenal shooters. Look for 6’8 Liam Duncan and 6’6 Trent Richardson to try and offset the loss of Indiana All-Star Zach McRoberts inside.
Arsenal Tech at Warren Central 7:30pm
The defending 4A state champs will certainly have a new look after losing 10 seniors to graduation. They bring back starting point guard CJ Walker, who recently committed to Purdue for the 2016 class. Senior Donte Gladney looks to increase his role as well for the Titans. Warren Central graduated their inside duo of Jordan Garnett and Jaraan Lands but return athletic 6’1 senior guard CJ Hardaway and 6’3 junior wing Djimon Henson, both of whom are D1 prospects.
Saturday November 29th:
Brownsburg at Southport 7:30pm
Brownsburg makes its second appearance this week against 4A frontrunner Southport. KJ Walton and Darrian Ringo lead the charge for the Bulldogs against Southport’s inside-outside duo of 6’9 junior Joey Brunk and 6’3 sophomore Paul Scruggs, both of whom have high major offers.
Fort Wayne Carroll at Penn 7:00pm
Carroll makes the trip north to take on Penn in a clash of quality 4A squads. Carroll is led by 2015 Toledo commit Chandler White at guard and 2016 forward Kyle Mallers, who garnered D1 scholarship offers with his play this summer and fall. They face a Penn team that only lost twice last season, and has a standout backcourt with seniors Nate Miller, Billy Doslak, and Ryan Lutz.
Hamilton Heights at Mt. Vernon 7:30pm
The Huskies of Hamilton Heights look to start their year off strong with a tough backcourt tandem of 2015 Purdue signee Grant Weatherford and undecided 2016 Hunter Crist. Garrett Paull is a small college prospect at forward for the Huskies. Mt. Vernon is lead by their sophomore class of 5’11 point guard Michael Ertel, 6’3 wing James McCloud, and 6’5 forward Erick Shepherd, all of whom will have to step up to replace CJ Coleman, who is now a freshman at UNC Greensboro.
Hamilton Southeastern at Lake Central 12:30pm
Both of these teams were highly successful in 2014, but both were also hit hard by graduation. Hamilton Southeastern lost Tyler Jenkins (Lehigh) and Eric Davidson (UIndy), while Lake Central graduated Tyler Wideman (Butler) and Tye Wilburn (Ball State). Sophomore forward Zach Gunn steps into a starring role for HSE, while 5’10 senior Joe Bannister is the only starter back from Lake Central’s state runner up team.
Marquette Catholic at East Chicago Central 8:00pm
Marquette Catholic won a state title last year in 1A, and looks to begin their journey towards a repeat behind 6’8 Providence signee Ryan Fazekas, who put up 34 points and 10 boards in the state title game last March. Returning with him are 6’ senior shooter Braxton Miller and forwards Tyshaun Smallwood, JoVonte Peals, and Malcolm Reed. ECC is led by 4 year starter at point guard Hyron Edwards as well as 2017 guard Jermaine Cousnard and 6’4 junior wing Damien Jefferson. These could be two of the top teams in the region, and will be a tough early test for each squad.