Today is the 2019 Forum Tip Off Classic at Southport High School in Indianapolis. It is a great day of high school basketball starting at noon. Here are the game-by-game previews.
Noon - Greensburg vs. Southport
Greensburg is led by Wright State signee Andrew Welage and junior Lane Sparks. Welage does a bit of everything for the Pirates. His versatility at six-foot-five makes him extremely efficient at the high school level. Sparks provides the edge to Greensburg. The lefty is an excellent mid-range shooter that has expanded his range over the last year. Southport is led by seniors Brevin Jefferson and Matt Munoz. Jefferson has been a staple in the Southport lineup since his freshman season. Munoz delivered the game-winner against Ben Davis last week.
1:40 - Heritage Hills vs. Brownsburg
HH is off to a 3-0 start even with senior guard Murray Becher missing time. Without Becher, Simon Scherry and Blake Sisley have gone to a different level. They each posted huge numbers in HH's win over North Posey on Friday. Scherry is committed to the University of Evansville for baseball. Sisley has D1 scholarship offers for basketball. Senior Malek Edmonds is off to a good start for Brownsburg. The power forward has been dominant around the basket to begin the season. On the outside, junior Pierce Thomas is one of the best athletes in the nation. There aren't many players that can finish above the rim like Thomas. Senior Connor Lucas has been a surprise third scoring option for Brownsburg this season. He's averaging 14 points per game.
3:30 - Gary West Side vs. Hamilton Southeastern
Super sophomore Jalen Washington tore his ACL in November, so he will be out. West Side still has plenty of talent – Quimari Peterson, Parion Robinson, Paris Robinson, Mason Nicholson, and Dominique Williams. Peterson has been an impact player since his freshman year. His shooting has gone to a new level in the last year. Hamilton Southeastern is led by Cleveland State signee Mabor Majak, Kole Hornbuckle, and junior Vinny Buccilla. Majak is a seven-footer averaging 10 and 10 so far this season. Hornbuckle is a slashing wing that is playing well. Buccilla is a combo guard that can score off the dribble or as a spot-up shooter.
5:00- Evansville Reitz vs. Carmel
Reitz features top-20 point guard Khristian Lander. Lander is an explosive guard at six-foot-two. The lefty is also a capable otuside shooter. He's coming off a 26-point performance on Friday night. Junior Owen Dease is another player to watch for Reitz. The six-foot-five wing is an excellent spot-up shooter. He had 25 points on Friday. Carmel is trying to find its footing after losing a bunch of seniors. Sophomore Pete Suder is a tough wing that scores through contact. He's also an improved outside shooter. Senior guard Jackson Jannsen has been a good outside weapon for the Greyhounds.
6:40 - Blackhawk Christian vs. Silver Creek
This is billed as a match-up of high-major 2021 power forwards Caleb Furst and Trey Kaufman. They each have Big Ten, ACC, and Big East offers. It will be fun to see them battle in the post. Both teams have firepower surrounding the stars. Blackhawk has Zane Burke and Marcus Davidson spacing the floor around Furst. Silver Creek has Kooper Jacobi and Branden Northern around Kaufman. It should be a fun game from many angles.
8:30 - Culver Academies vs. Bloomington South
A match-up of Indiana University signees Anthony Leal and Trey Galloway will be put on hold as Galloway is expected to be out with a wrist injury. He sat out Friday night against Zionsville. South is the current #2 team in 4A. Leal, Connor Hickman, Joey Bomba, and Noah Jager are a balanced team that can see any player step up on a given night. CMA will not be empty handed. Indiana State signee Nick Hittle is inside and Deontae Craig, an Iowa football commitment, will battle against anyone. Expect Culver to put up a fight against a loaded South team.