Week In Preview: November 21, 2016

Written by Jeff Schoenle

It's time for the start of another season of Indiana high school basketball, and with that comes the first Week In Preview of the year. We take a look at ten of the best games from around the state in the coming week. A reminder that all times listed are Eastern.


Tuesday, November 22

Evansville Harrison at Jasper 8:00pm
Harrison loses leading scorer CJ Hedgepath to graduation but returns some talent from a 16-6 team a year ago in junior point guard Robin Duncan and senior wing Brandon Duncan. They added Rilee Epley from Evansville Day. He was a high scorer at Day. Harrison heads north to take on Jasper, who was decimated by graduation losses from a 17-7 team a year ago that came within two points of winning a sectional title. Back, however, is senior point guard Tyler Nottingham, who averaged just under 14 points per game last season.



Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian at Liberty Christian 7:30pm
Blackhawk Christian won a sectional title last season, thanks in large part to the play of post Drake Thompson. The junior now looks to step to the forefront of the Braves' attack in an attempt to go even further in the state tournament. Sophomore guard Lucas Kroft looks for an expanded role in his second year of varsity action. Their opening night opponent is the defending 1A state champs, Liberty Christian. This is a drastically different looking team for Liberty, who lost three double digit scorers from last year's squad. Back is senior point guard Ronny Williams and his 16.5 points per game. Wing Josh Tufts is the only other rotation player back for the Lions as they attempt to fill several positions.



Hamilton Southeastern at Muncie Central 7:30pm
There might not be a deeper team in the state than HSE, who return several key pieces from last season. Senior forward Zach Gunn is back for his fourth season on varsity, and classmates Connor Rotterman and Jack Davidson gives the Royals one of the best shooting backcourts in the state. Sophomores Noah Smith and Aaron Etherington got valuable experiences as varsity freshmen last year. The biggest addition is 7'1" freshman Mabor Majok, who could contribute early inside. Muncie Central lost their three leading scorers from a year ago, but a trio of seniors are back who look to fill their void. Guards Jamel Barnes and Tyrek Vick and wing Trenton Hatfield all bring veteran leadership from a team that won 15 games last season.



Zionsville at Carmel 7:30pm
This county border battle gives us two of the state's best sophomores in Zionsville guard Isaiah Thompson and Carmel forward John Michael Mulloy. Thompson, who averaged over 19 a game last year as a freshman, is paired in the backcourt with Bethel commit Dom Genco, who averaged over 13 a night as a junior. Junior Riley Bertram is back for the Eagles, who went 19-6 a season ago. The Greyhounds are looking for a youth movement to emerge after losing three key pieces to graduation in Preston Flamion, Garret Covington, and Trenton Richardson. The senior leadership will come from veteran point guard Sterling Brown. Brown proved that he could produce against the best players in the country this summer. Mulloy, a 6'9 sophomore, looks to emerge as a force with his inside/outside skill set. Fellow sophomores Luke Heady, point guard and son of head coach Scott Heady, and wing Andrew Owens along with junior guard Cole Jenkins look to make Carmel a contender once again.



Wednesday, November 23

Barr-Reeve at Washington 8:00pm
These neighboring communities square off on the hardwood to open their 2016-2017 seasons. Barr-Reeve brings back their two leading scorers from last season in forwards Jonathan Walker and Trevor Lengacher, but will need to find an answer at the point guard spot, as graduation claimed four year starter Logan James. The Hatchets are one of the most tradition-rich programs in southern Indiana, and they look to avenge last season's loss to the 1A Vikings. Senior wing Jacob Overton looks to be the focal point of the offense that hopes to bring Washington their first sectional title since 2011.



Ben Davis at Franklin Central 7:30pm
Ben Davis coach Mark James returns to the school where he once coached, and he brings a very talented team with him. Junior forward Aaron Henry is poised for a breakout season, and seniors Datrion Harper, Jalen Newsome, Josh Brewer, and IU football commit LeShaun Minor all played major roles a year ago. Sophomore wing Jalen Windham moves up from junior varsity, where he was dominant last season. The Flashes must figure out a way to replace their starting backcourt from a year ago, including Marcus Burk and his 25 points per game, and point guard Jimmy Weinke. Forward Grant Pedigo figures to be the go to man early as Franklin Central looks to establish their identity.



Crown Point at Bowman Academy 8:00pm
Most schools would look for a drop off after losing a Big Ten signee and a point guard who is playing in college. Thankfully for Crown Point, they look able to withstand the graduation of Grant Gelon and Blake Bonin by bringing back several talented pieces from their sectional title winning team. Senior guard Sasha Stefanovic was a core Junior All-Star this summer, Dom Tomich returns as a starter at a guard spot, DePauw commit Ken Decker is coming off a great summer and Andrew Kenneally is a double-double threat nightly inside. Bowman Academy is going to be one of the biggest 2A teams in the state, and certainly one of the most athletic. Meeko Brown, Chinedu Okanu, Amari Sherrod and freshman Raymond Terry provide the size for Bowman. Wing Langston Stalling is the leading returning scorer for the Eagles, who did lose three double figure scorers to graduation.



Huntington North at Homestead 7:30pm
These two schools are separated by just a short drive along US 24, and gave fans a great battle in sectionals a year ago, with Homestead winning by two points. This game features two of the best coaches in northeast Indiana in Craig Teagle and Chris Johnson. Coach Teagle and his Vikings are led by senior wing Hunter Hollowell, who averaged over 15 points a game as a junior while shooting 46% from three. Chaz Bruce provides size on the interior and Sam Daugherty brings athleticism at the wing spot. Homestead has several key pieces returning from last season's 21 win sectional champs. Sharp shooting guards Jack Ferguson and Parker Manges fire away from deep, while 6'6 forward Brandon Durnell is a versatile frontcourt player. Depth could be an issue for the Spartans, who return just three players who averaged more than a point a game last year.



Park Tudor at University 7:30pm
In a battle of small private schools, both teams have a lot to look forward to for the 2016-2017 season. Park Tudor was looking at a special season under first year coach Mike Shelton. That still might happen, but it was made much more difficult with 6'10 forward and Michigan State signee Jaren Jackson Jr. transferred to LaLumiere after his family moved from Indianapolis. The backcourt is the strength for the Panthers, who return all three starters, seniors Isaiah Rice and Kobe Webster and sophomore Isiah Moore. The Panthers must find some interior play, which could be their downfall this season. University has a quartet of juniors who were vital pieces of a 20 win team as sophomores. Forwards David Howard and Emerson Halblieb and guards Zach Hodgin and Josh Watson comprise this junior class that tries to win sectionals for the first time since 2013. Look for senior wing Josh Alford to start as well after averaging nine points a game last year.



South Bend Adams at Fort Wayne Carroll 7:30pm
Adams is coming off a slightly disappointing season a year ago, but 6'4 junior guard Walter Ellis is talented enough to win games by himself. The son of former Notre Dame star LaPhonso Ellis is ready for a potential breakout season for Adams, who looks for consistency after losing their first seven games last season, then running off eight of twelve in the middle of the year. Adams returns Michael Green and Te'shawn Godwin as well. Carroll looks to replace Indiana All-Star Kyle Mallers, now at Ball State. A talented backcourt is just the remedy, as senior guard Jacob Redding was the Chargers' leading scorer a year ago, and junior Arius Jones is one of the most athletic point guards in the state and a destructive defender to boot. Forwards Anthony Martin and Riley Perlich look to expand their roles this year, and Coach Marty Beasley is hoping for production from 6'9 junior post player Jared Hofer.