The third annual Forum Credit Union Tip Off Classic returns to Southport High School in Indianapolis on Saturday. The field features many of the state's top prospects and teams. Here is a look at the six games on tap.
Tri-West vs. Park Tudor – 11:30 a.m.
Both teams have started 3-0. They each play on Friday night, so it will be a quick turn around. Park Tudor is paced by 2017 forward Jaren Jackson Jr. who is being courted by many of the nation's top college programs. Park Tudor is also led by junior guard Kobe Webster. He has offers from Ball State and Cornell.
Tri-West went 21-5 last year, but Trevor Waite graduated and is playing at Indiana Wesleyan right now. 2017 wing Peyton Hendershot and 2018 guard Tyler Watson are back though. They are leading the way so far this season. Junior Cameron Cole is playing well for Tri-West early in the season as well.
Crown Point vs. Warren Central – 1:15 p.m.
Crown Point features two elite shooters in senior Grant Gelon and junior Sasha Stefanovic. Gelon signed with Indiana University in November while Stefanovic has added a number of Division I offers this fall. Crown Point opened the season with a loss to Lafayette Jeff, but bounced back to crush Penn last Saturday. They will be one of the top teams in northwest Indiana.
Warren Central has a relatively young team after Djimon Henson transferred to Lawrence North this fall. Bishop Smith, Mack Smith and Trequan Spivey lead the way for Warren Central. Bishop Smith missed Tuesday's game against Cathedral due to illness.
Fort Wayne Snider vs. Brebeuf – 3:00 p.m.
Brebeuf has featured balance through three games this season. Kobie McNeal, Tarig Eldosougi, Matt Broderick, Simon Banks and Mason Grout are all averaging double figures this year. McNeal will likely be the go-to player this year.
Snider has 2017 power forward Malik Williams. He is one of the top prospects in Indiana and the country. Despite being 6-foot-10, Snider plans to mainly play Williams on the perimeter this year. Seniors Li'donta Hicks-Gentry and Devin Tennant will provide most of the inside play. The size of Snider will be tough for Brebeuf to handle.
New Albany vs. Pike – 5:00 p.m.
Sophomore Romeo Langford brings New Albany into Indianapolis this weekend. Langford has a world of talent and potential. The 2018 wing has scholarship offers from Indiana, Purdue and UCLA. He makes New Albany go. Junior Isaac Hibbard has been a consistent performer for New Albany over the last couple of years as well. Josh Jefferson scored 32 points against Evansville Harrison last week.
Senior guard Justin Thomas is the key to Pike this season. He is averaging just under 20 points per game while also pulling down five rebounds a game. He is also averaging four steals per game. He impacts the game in many areas for Pike. Junior guard Justin Roberts is scoring around 15 points per game so far this year. Keeping Roberts and Thomas out of the lane will be key for New Albany. Senior wing Derek Hawthorne is having a good year with 13 points per game. Sophomore Darian Porch has been a major contributor early in the season. He is an athletic forward that rebounds at a high level.
Cathedral vs. Lawrence Central – 6:45 p.m.
Cathedral is led by a group of talented guards. At the front of the bunch is senior Eron Gordon. The unsigned scorer has been lighting up opponents since his freshman year. Joining Gordon in the backcourt is Morehead State signee Jordan Walker. Walker is an explosive athlete that can change the game with his defense and slashing ability. Junior guard Tra Landers is the third guard for Cathedral that can change a game. Also, keep an eye on James Franklin. He is a freshman for Cathedral and is very talented.
Lawrence Central has Virginia signee Kyle Guy. He is the leading candidate for Mr. Basketball this year. Guy versus Gordon will be a fun match-up because of the Mr. Basketball angle. Guy dictates most of the offense for Lawrence Central. He will need help in order to beat Cathedral though. The other main offensive option is Mekhi Biffle. He committed and de-committed from Marian University this fall. Biffle has to get easy baskets off the dribble and in transition to put pressure on Cathedral. Tyrelle Walker and Daveon Bell can also give Lawrence Central an offensive boost.
East St. Louis (Ill.) vs. Southport – 8:30 p.m.
The nightcap was planned to be Butler signee Joey Brunk against 2017 elite center Jeremiah Tilmon. Unfortunately, Tilmon transferred to LaLumiere in September and foiled that match-up. Brunk and Southport will be looking to get on track though. Southport lost to Merrillville although they beat Ben Davis. The weekend schedule will test Southport. They play Bloomington South on Friday before playing East St. Louis (Ill.) on Saturday. Paul Scruggs is an elite prospect in the 2017 class. He is still getting his basketball legs after he played football this fall.
East St. Louis is a guard oriented team without Tilmon. Kenny Roberson, Karon Randolph and Reyondous Estes provided the perimeter punch while Antonio Johnson and Patrick Baxter provide the post presence. Roberson is a tough guard with athleticism. Randolph is a skilled wing that can do a bit of everything. East St. Louis will not back down from Southport.