Indiana’s 2021 (current sophomores) class jumped on the scene last year as dozens of players made a varsity impact as freshmen.  The class is thriving with no sophomore slump in sight. Here’s an overview of the sophomores that contributed last year and are reaching new heights in their second high school season. (Pictured: Blackford's Luke Brown)

Champions

17U: Eric Gordon Central Stars beat Indiana Elite-Team Indiana

16U: Eric Gordon All Stars beat Indiana Elite South

15U: Indiana Elite One beat Eric Gordon All Stars

14U: Indiana Elite Jazz beat Spiece Indy Heat

Best Performances

D.J. Balentine, 6’2” PG/SG Kokomo, was feeling it against Indiana Elite One. He was hitting shots over much taller defenders like Ryan Weber while also getting to the rim off the dribble. It was a very impressive game for Balentine.

Zavier Turner, 5'8" PG Pike, was nearly unstoppable against Indiana Elite Stars. He created havoc on the defensive end and then got to the lane anytime he wanted on offense. He hit the game tying 3 with 10 seconds left in the semi-final that led to an overtime win for his Eric Gordon team.

Jaquan Lyle, 6'4" SG Evansville Bosse, had 31 points in the 15u semi-final game. He is a man among boys at the 15u level. He isn't an explosive athlete right now, but he has a great skill set.

Quin Snider, 5'11" PG Louisville Ballard (KY), had 21 points in the 15u championship game. He hit shots from the outside, got to the rim whenever he wanted, had a number of creative finishes, and set-up teammates for easy basket. He was very impressive in every phase of the game.

Best Game

Eric Gordon 15's against Indiana Elite Stars. It was a game that was back and forth pretty much the whole way. Down the stretch it looked like Indiana Elite was about to seal the game. They were up 58-53 with about a minute to play and had possession of the ball. Indiana Elite missed a layup then EG got a basket. Indiana Elite breaks EG's press but then travels while attempting a contested lay-up. The turnover set-up Zavier Turner for the game tying 3 wit 10 seconds left which he hit. Mo Evans tried a desperation 3 from about 30 feet but it rimmed off. Eric Gordon would go on to win by 2 in overtime.

2012

D.J. Balentine, 6’2” PG/SG Kokomo, had a great day shooting, but also got to the rim thanks to some good dribble moves. His size is going to allow him to guard SG’s at the MM/LM levels. He is going to struggle on defense, but if he is guarding SG’s he is going to be okay most of the time. MM/MM- prospect.

Rhett Smith, 6’6” PF Sullivan, the Indiana State commit displayed a full game Saturday. Hit shots from the outside, drove to the basket and finished, made great outlet passes, and got out on the break and scored multiple times.

Nick Osborne, 6’8” PF Muncie Central, dominated the inside against Indiana Elite One. He uses his body well, isn’t afraid of contact, and plays with a great motor. His skill set is developing at a high rate. HM-/MM+ prospect.

Ryan Weber, 6’6” SF Roncalli, has really started to expand his game. He used to be one dimensional (shooter), but now he is putting the ball on the floor, making plays, posting up smaller defenders, rebounding, and playing with a high motor. I used to rate him as LM+/LM prospect, I am upgrading that to a solid MM prospect.

Tyler Alderman, 6’9” PF Fishers, did not perform well against Eric Gordon Central Stars. He did just get back from spring break Saturday night. His biggest weaknesses in my eyes are his toughness and lack of willingness to play physical. He has a lot of skills inside and outside, but doesn’t want to mix it up.

Josh Turnock, 6’8” C Eastbrook, first time seeing Turnock this weekend and he impressed me quite a bit. He is a lefty with a good frame and build. Turnock has a nice touch in the paint and is physical. LM/D2 prospect off my first impression.

Ross Sponseler, 6’2” SG Terre Haute North, good shooter with a quick release and he is built solidly. Quickness isn’t very high. D2/NAIA prospect.

2013

Maverick Morgan, 6’10” C Springboro, OH, Morgan is extremely well built for a 6’10” sophomore. He has a nice touch around the basket, moves pretty well, and plays with a high motor. I didn’t get to see him against anyone taller than 6’5” though so it is hard to give a good projection of his ceiling.

V.J. Beachem, 6’7” SG Fort Wayne, I talked about in the Day 1 report. Sunday he shot the ball extremely well, made some nice cuts, finished in transition, and used his length to force turnovers. It seems like his attitude is much better than it was last year. He still needs a lot of muscle and to refine his offensive skill set especially off the bounce. HM- prospect.

Mike Crawford, 6’4” SG Tipton, I got a chance to see Crawford quite a bit this weekend and I come away pretty impressed. He has a good level of athleticism, jumps well and is pretty good laterally. Offensively, he can get to the rim off the bounce, he can shoot it from 3, and he can post up smaller defenders. He took Devin Davis off the dribble and scored over him a few times. He needs some weight, but I like Crawford’s future a lot. MM/MM- prospect.

Mo Evans, 5’11” PG Cathedral, faced off with his classmate/teammate David Hill. I like Evans much better as a prospect. Evans shoots it from the outside much better, has a better frame, then are comparable in terms of quickness, basketball IQ, and ball handling. LM+/LM prospect.

John McCloud, 6’6” SF Lawrence North, showed more versatility than I thought he had in him. McCloud played the 3 all weekend and did a good job at it. He shoots it well from the outside and can put it on the floor. He did struggle on the defensive end while guarding stronger opponents. That is something he needs to work on greatly while increasing his overall skill level.

Greg Spina, 6’2” SG Martinsville, first time seeing Spina this weekend and he is a solid player. He’s a good athlete that does most of his damage on the offensive end by getting to the basket. Likely a D2/NAIA but has a chance to be a D1 player.

LaBradford Sebree, 6’3” SF Kokomo, Sebree uses his strength and body really well. He scores almost exclusively in the paint right now off his aggressiveness and strength. He will need to expand his game and refine his perimeter skills to be a D1 prospect.

Dan Scofield, 6’6” C Lawrence North, the wide-bodied post player gets the job done when you don’t think he will. He’s not a great leaper…okay he can’t really jump at all. He has a great touch around the basket though. He has a high basketball IQ and uses his body very well. If he doesn’t grow anymore, he will be a D2/NAIA prospect.

2014

Quinten Snider, 5’11” PG Louisville Ballard (KY), dominated the 15U championship game. He is quick, crafty with the ball, can shoot it from the outside, and had a number of unbelievable finishes at the basket. Based off my first look at Snider, he is at least a MM prospect and possibly HM.

Jaquan Lyle, 6’4” SG Evansville Bosse, was cramping during the whole championship game, but he was a man among boys. He played PG for most of the game. He used his height advantage to pick apart the defense. He got his own rebound multiple times off of outside shots. Definitely one of the top Indiana prospects even though he doesn’t have much explosiveness at this point.

Sean Sellers, 6’5” SF Greensburg, this was my first good look at Sellers and he was very impressive. He got most of his points inside, but he showed the ability to shoot it from the outside as well as put the ball on the floor and beat someone off the dribble. Sellers plays with a great motor and toughness. I’m excited to see more of him, he very well could be a HM prospect.

Craig Owens, 6’3” PF Louisville Trnity (KY), was extremely tough inside. He is well built and attacks the basket anytime possible. I’m not sure about his ceiling since he gets most of his production from his physical advantage.

Kelan Martin, 6’5” PF Louisville Ballard, made some nice things happen for IE. He rebounded well and scored against contact. The Louisville trio was very good for Indiana Elite One in the 15U championship.

Grant Evans, 6’1” PG Wapahani, good shooter, nice quickness, high basketball IQ. He played a bit tentatively in some spots. Definitely will enjoy watching more of Evans in the future. MM type prospect right now.

Zach McRoberts, 6’5” SF Carmel, extremely thin right now, but has a nice skill set. He hit a couple shots from the outside, runs well. I’m not sure he will develop into the all-american his brother was, but he will be a very good player. D1 prospect for sure.

Brad Hunt, 6’8” C Jennings County, thin, runs well, has good hands for a young big man. Fundamentally he seems very sound. Skill set is still developing. He could be very good once he fills into his body. Probably won’t be a high major prospect, but could easily develop into a MM/LM prospect.

Perry Poindexter, 6’7” PF North Central, runs well, fundamentally sound, jumps well, and has a good skill set for a young big. He is very thin right now. MM prospect.

Bo Burkart, 5’10” PG Evansville Bosse, a good athlete…quick, good explosiveness, shoots it well from the outside. Played off the ball a majority of the game since Lyle was playing point for EG. He’s a player just to keep an eye on for MM/LM’s.

Collin Barthel, 6’6” PF Cathedral, Barthel does a little bit of everything right now. He plays inside and outside, rebounds, passes the ball well, and has good hands. I’d expect him to develop into either a really good face-up 4 man or a pure 3. MM/LM prospect.

Justin Brent, 6’2” SG Speedway, didn’t have a very good game in the championship. He is a pretty good athlete, but got blown by a few times on defense. His shot is very awkward…kind of like Jake Shuttlesworth (Denzel Washington’s character) in He Got Game. His ball handling needs a lot of work. MM-/LM prospect right now.

Jeff Harris, 5’10” PG North Central, played some on a guard loaded North Central this season as a freshman so you know he must be pretty good. He is a stocky guard that is surprisingly quick for his build.

Adam Kroot, 6’3” SG Brebuef, good shooter that shoots it well off the dribble as well. Above average athlete as well. Kroot is a prospect to keep an eye on for LM’s.

Michael Loggan, 6’4” SG North Central, smooth on the outside although he didn’t shoot it well the game that I saw. North Central is absolutely loaded with young talent. The rich keep getting richer.

{/iACL}