(Jalen Haralson had a great freshman year and should be even more dynamic for Fishers this year)

 

Welcome back to another year of Indiana high school hoops! We here at Indiana Basketball Source are thrilled to bring you all the latest and most significant happenings from around the state throughout the upcoming season.

 

Our Week In Preview article serves as your guide to some of the best games taking place during the coming week throughout the state. We look at conference rivalries, ranked matchups, and talented individual battles to give you a slate of the best contests to watch.

 

Here's how it works - At the beginning of each week, Indiana Basketball Source will preview ten of the best and most intriguing matchups from every corner of the state. It doesn't matter if it's 1A or 4A, north, south, east, west, or central Indiana; we will aim to showcase the best games possible. All times listed will be Eastern. So, without further wait - here's a look at ten of the best games for the opening week of Indiana high school basketball!

 

 

Tuesday, November 22nd

Ben Davis at Fishers 7:30 pm

A fantastic matchup to start the season for both sides - Ben Davis brings back their top seven scorers from a year ago. Sheridan Sharp leads the attack from the point guard spot, while KJ Windham on the wing and double-double machine Zane Doughty inside create problems for opposing defenses. Fishers has sophomore phenom Jalen Haralson, who looks to build on a fantastic freshman campaign. He'll be asked to bump his 16 points per game from last year up substantially, as the Tigers don't return anyone who averaged more than two points per game last season. Senior center James Stasey emerged for Fishers over the summer. He will bring an inside presence to the Tigers. Additionally, Taden Metzger transferred to Fishers in the spring after starring for Marion in his first two high school seasons. He will stretch the floor for Haralson and Stasey.

 

Carroll (Flora) at Lewis Cass at 7:30 pm

Lewis Cass finished one game above .500 last year but looks poised to improve on that as they bring back leading scorer Tyson Good and bruising post-Luke Chambers from the previous year's squad. The duo combined for 27ppg a year ago, and LJ Hillis could also climb into double figures for the Kings this year. Carroll saw their season come to an end at the hands of Central Noble in semistate last March. The Cougars have reason to believe they can go a step farther this year, as their 24-2 squad loses just Will Eldridge and his 5.5ppg from a year ago. However, seniors Owen Duff, Jake Skinner, and junior point guard Chris Huerta all return as double-figure scorers for one of the most physical teams in 2A.

 

North Side at Cathedral 7:30 pm

The defending 4A state champs get a test right off the bat when they welcome North Side on Tuesday night. The frontcourt seems set for the Irish with the return of Xavier Booker and Jake Davis from last year's team. However, the backcourt raises some questions following the graduation of Tayshawn Comer and Jaxon Edwards. A trio of Sincere Germany, Lebron Gough, and Deric Cannady all return following supporting roles a year ago, and transfer Kamari Slaughter enters the mix after his transfer from Portage. Jaron Tibbs may take time to round into basketball form, but he provided whatever was needed last year for the Irish. Also, sophomore Brady Koehler looks ready to break out for Cathedral.

 

Lawrence Central at Mt. Vernon 7:30 pm

It was an uncharacteristic six-win season for Al Gooden's Bears last year, but he does bring back four seniors who combined to average over 50 points a game. Kamari Jones and DaJohn Craig lead the way from the backcourt, while LSU football commitment Josh Mickens provides the muscle inside. Jones has immense potential, but Gooden needs him to be more consistent this season. This crew should improve significantly on their win total from a year ago. The Marauders of Mt. Vernon stand in their way to start the season. A 22-3 team a year ago, Mt. Vernon was walloped by graduation, particularly the Jarrard twins, who are now at IUPUI. Eli Bridenthal is the only returning rotation player from a year ago, but it's never a good idea to take the Marauders lightly. Freshmen Luke Ertel and Julien Smith have the future looking good for Mt. Vernon.

 

Monroe Central at Winchester 7:30 pm

The Golden Bears of Monroe Central didn't lose until the postseason last year, but they were hit hard in the offseason with the graduation of Jackson Ullom and Gavin Smithson-Burciaga. Ball State football commitment Luke Jones will handle point guard duties, while Cole Bunchel will man the interior. The senior class at Winchester looks to step into the forefront for the Falcons following the loss of Brooks Burlieson and Gage Patterson, the only two double-figure scorers a year ago. Jamison BeShears, Mason Barker, Drew Loyd, and Kamden Preston are all capable players. Still, the leading scorer could emerge from the junior class, as wing Adam Moore averaged a hair under 10ppg last year and could be poised for a breakout campaign.

 

Zionsville at Carmel 7:30 pm

One of the best opening week games annually is this matchup of neighbors. Carmel lost Pete Suder and Charlie Williams to graduation and Garwey Dual to transfer, but Belmont signee Sam Orme will be back for the Greyhounds. The 6'8 Orme is a more than capable shooter who will step into a starring role for the first time. Spencer White and Jared Bonds will provide some help on the frontline, but the guard spot remains a question that will need to be answered. There's no question at the guard spot for Zionsville, as Penn State signee Logan Imes returns to lead the Eagles once again. Imes missed five games due to injury last year, and Zionsville struggled without him. He's joined by post Nick Richart, a Charlotte signee. Getting reliable three-point shooting may be coach JR Howell's biggest task, as Imes is their best returning three-point shooter, but at only 32%.

 

Wednesday, November 23rd

New Haven at Woodlan 7:30 pm

These EACS schools look to retool after losing important pieces a year ago. Woodlan brings back all but one player, but that one was big, as Joe Reidy, the all-time leading scorer, and rebounder at Woodlan has moved on to St. Francis along with his 22ppg and 11rpg. Look for coach John Baker to turn the reins over to a pair of guards in senior Alex Miller and junior Braden Smith. Fellow starters Dejay Gerig and Dawson Lichty also return. New Haven lost half of their dynamic scoring tandem to graduation in Jakar Williams, but Darrion Brooks and his 19ppg are back. An athletic wing slasher, Brooks is a significant threat in transition. Look for senior point guard Jojo Robertson to have the ball more to make plays, and junior Jeremiah Cottrell could emerge as a reliable second-scoring option.

 

North Central at Brownsburg 7:30 pm

If Joey Brown can remain healthy, it changes everything for the North Central Panthers. At 6'7", Brown can play all over the floor and will be the focal point of every opposing scouting report. He'll need to be the leader of a still-young Panther squad. There might not be a more intriguing prospect this year than Brownsburg junior Kanon Catchings. He's still growing at 6'8 and shot 40% from behind the arc last season. The Purdue commit will be a focal point for the Bulldogs, but he's not the leading returning scorer. That goes to Elhadj Diallo, who put up over 13ppg last year. Guards Drew Thompson and Grant Porath are back for their junior seasons. Steve Lynch will need to find a replacement inside for Shun Tupoula, who controlled the paint on both ends with his athleticism.

 

Saturday, November 26th

Concordia at NorthWood 1:30 pm

A pair of 3A schools hope this is the beginning of a long and successful season. Concordia returns their entire roster from a season ago, when they won 13 games. Junior point guard Ajani Washington and his nearly 20 points a night returns after a successful season on the gridiron, and classmate Cole Hayworth gives the Cadets a matchup problem at the power forward spot. David Speckhard shot nearly 40% from three a year ago, and Avery Cook and Grant Hayworth provide defensive prowess and toughness. NorthWood also returns a lot, led by a pair of seniors in guard Cade Brenner and forward Ian Raasch. Those two combined for over 30ppr, and Ethan Wolfe, Nitro Tuggle, and Tyler Raasch should give their senior teammates plenty of support.

 

Lawrence North at Crispus Attucks 6:30 pm

Last week, Lawrence North was dealt a blow with the news that 6'10 David Merriweather was ruled ineligible following his transfer from Metropolitan over the summer. Azavier Robinson returns at the point guard spot and looks to build on an electric freshman campaign. He'll need to pick up the scoring following the current Indiana Hoosier CJ Gunn's graduation. Kobi Bowles could help in an increased role. Attucks has emerging guard Ron Rutland, who scored 8.5ppg last year. Their biggest growth could come from forward Dezmon Briscoe, as the 6'7 sophomore will be counted on night in and night out for Chris Hawkins's team. He'll be joined on the frontline by Anthony Ball, a transfer from Beech Grove who dropped 17 points and 20 rebounds in the Hornets' state title win last March. Look for sophomore DeAndre Lott to make an impact for Attucks as well.