The Indiana Basketball Source Week In Preview for December 28th takes a look at five of the best tournaments over the second week of Christmas break. Check out John Harrell's website johnharrell.net for times of specific games for each tournament.
Columbia City/Huntington North Tournament (December 29-30)
Round robin pool play will determine placement into three brackets of four teams each, based on results of pool play. Merrillville and South Bend Riley look to be two of the stronger teams here, but an upset in pool play could throw a wrench in who comes out on top.
Teams: Lake Central, Merrillville, New Haven, Norwell, Blackhawk Christian, Huntington North, Horizon Christian, Columbia City, Jeffersonville, Hamilton Southeastern, South Bend Washington, South Bend Riley
Players:
DJ Wilkins, Cam Wilbon, Ian Kissell, Brachen Hazen,
Parker Hazen,
Hunter Hollowell, Marcus Smith, Yuri Swinford,
Zach Gunn,
Damezi Anderson,
Shamar Dillard,
Reontre Lawrence, Lorenzo Glass, Bryant Givens,
Drake Thompson
Bob Wettig Memorial Tournament (December 28-30)
One of the best mid season tournaments takes place in Richmond and features 16 teams from all across the state. Warren Central has been on a roll to start this season thanks to superior guard play and lots of toughness.
Fort Wayne North Side may have the most talent of any team in the field. A battle between Seton Catholic and Richmond in the opening round should be intriguing.
Teams:
Indianapolis Lighthouse, Connersville, Lebanon, Warren Central, Tindley, Franklin Central, Portage, North Side, Herron,
Valpo, Bedford North Lawrence, Bishop Dwenger, Seton Catholic, Richmond, Leo, Hamilton Heights
Players:
Trevor Lakes, Bishop Smith,
Mack Smith,
Grant Smith,
Eric Hunter, Marcus Burk,
Jaylen Butz,
Keion Brooks, Connor TenHove, Steve Helm, Desmond Bane, Dylan Barrow,
Hunter Crist, Myles Simmons
Wabash Valley Classic (December 26-30)
First round play took place on Saturday, but the bulk of the tournament takes place
Monday through
Wednesday. Both Terre Haute schools cruised in their first round matchups and look to be the class of the field this year. Don't count out
Cooper Neese and Cloverdale or West Vigo with high scoring guard Corey Vickers.
Teams: Shakamak, Cloverdale, Marshall (IL), Edgewood, Sullivan, Linton-Stockton, Robinson (IL), Terre Haute South, Owen Valley, Northview, Riverton Parke, South Vermillion, Casey-Westfield (IL), Terre Haute North, West Vigo, Rockville
Noblesville Tournament (December 29-30)
Lawrence North has the most depth, but faces a tough first round matchup against Crown Point. Bloomington South and Chesterton could also stake a claim to the title. There is a ton of young talent in this event, particularly with the class of 2018 with
Austin Boucher,
Trejean Didier,
Kevin Easley, and Antwaun Cushingberry.
Teams: Bloomington South, Avon, Lawrence North, Crown Point, South Side, Columbus East, Noblesville, Chesterton
Players: Tucker Blackwell,
Chance Coyle, Shawn Moore,
Kevin Easley,
Djimon Henson,
Antwaan Cushingberry,
Grant Gelon,
Sasha Stefanovic,
Austin Boucher,
Trejean Didier,
Parker Chitty,
John Kiser,
Rhyss Lewis
Hall of Fame Tournament (December 30)
Look for the two semifinals to be as different as night and day. The opening game between LC and McCutcheon should be an up and down affair, while Carroll and Martinsville should be played at a slightly slower pace. There is plenty of backcourt talent on display in New Castle, but Martinsville big man Keegan Northern is looking to lead his squad to an upset title run.
Teams: Lawrence Central, McCutcheon, Carroll, Martinsville