(Past FORUM Tipoff Classic)

The 2021 FORUM Tipoff Classic is ten days away (December 11, 2021) at Southport High School. Each of the six games features multiple college prospects. Here is a look at the top signed or committed college prospects expected to play in the event.

Signed

Homestead’s Fletcher Loyer (Purdue) is a leading 2022 Mr. Basketball candidate. Last year, Loyer helped Homestead to an undefeated regular season. His shooting and all-around scoring knack are unmatched in the state this year. Through two games, Loyer is averaging 29.5 points, seven rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. He moves well without the ball while being automatic in spot-up situations. Loyer is also great at drawing fouls and finding gaps for easy scores.

Westfield’s Braden Smith (Purdue) will join Loyer in West Lafayette next year. But, first, Smith is trying to beat his future teammate for the 2022 Mr. Basketball title. The Westfield point guard is a fierce competitor and leader. He is also a fantastic scorer and passer for the Shamrocks. If Westfield beats Homestead, Smith is going to be a driving force in the victory.

Central Noble’s Connor Essegian (Wisconsin) is vying for a spot in the Mr. Basketball discussion. Essegian opened the season with 35 points against Canterbury before scoring 33 against Hamilton. With over 1,700 career points, Essegian owns Central Noble’s school scoring record. He could end up on the state’s top 20 all-time scoring list. Essegian is a fantastic shooter that rebounds and does the dirty work too. His match-up with Barr-Reeve will be a game of chess between the two sides.

Cathedral’s Tayshawn Comer (Eastern Kentucky) is a four-year starter for the Irish and can make a case for Mr. Basketball in settings like the FORUM Tipoff Classic. Comer’s quickness off the dribble is hard to stop and a primary reason why he lives at the free-throw line. Comer also has incredible talent surrounding him at Cathedral and must distribute the ball to those players. It is a great spot to be but also a demanding one. When he balances those obligations, Cathedral is nearly impossible to beat.

Jaxon Edwards (Murray State) is one of those talented Cathedral players along Comer’s side. A fantastic wing athlete, Edwards is a versatile player that scores going to the basket, rebounds, defends multiple positions, and will hit an outside shot. Edwards enhanced his college recruitment during the spring and summer with D1 Indiana. He should continue to improve for years to come.

Mitchell Rylee (Miami of Ohio) is the first out-of-state player on this list. Rylee plays for Covington Catholic out of Kentucky. He is a powerfully built forward that finishes well around the basket. Rylee hits the offensive glass hard and is always looking to hunt down loose balls. Cathedral has a talented frontcourt, but Rylee proved that he could produce against big-time talent this club season for Midwest Basketball Club. He will not be intimidated by Xavier Booker and company.

Zionsville’s Isaiah Davis (Huntington) is heading to NAIA Huntington University. Through two games, Davis is Zionsville’s second-leading scorer to Logan Imes. Davis is an inside-outside threat that is shooting well early in the season. Attucks does not have a ton of size now that Jalen Hooks is at Donda Academy in California. Davis could be a mismatch problem for Attucks in this one.

Committed

Heritage Christian’s Myles Colvin (Purdue) is a 2023 guard committed to the Boilermakers. He cannot officially sign until next November, but there is little worry that Colvin will change his mind. Colvin is a dynamic wing that shoots at a high level from deep and elevates exceptionally well in the open court. He is also young for his class which invokes additional enthusiasm for his long-term potential. Colvin will display his natural scoring ability against Southport.

Schedule for December 11, 2021 at Southport High School

12:30 pm Heritage Christian vs. Southport

2:00 pm Bloomington North vs. Franklin Central

3:30 pm Central Noble vs. Barr-Reeve

5:00 pm Zionsville vs. Indianapolis Attucks

6:45 pm Covington Catholic (Ky.) vs. Indianapolis Cathedral

8:30 pm Homestead vs. Westfield

For tickets, go to https://gofan.co/app/events/473432?schoolId=IN2200

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