Metro Indy Fall League: Week 1

<p>Yesterday marked the start of the final month before the high school season gets underway and with that comes the Metro Indy Fall League.  This is the last big event for the Indianapolis area before practices get going two weeks before the season. We go in-depth with notes on some of the top players from the first weekend.</p><p><strong>Impact Talent For 2019 Class</strong></p> <p>Usually you go into a year thinking we might discover a few freshman as it goes deeper and deeper but this year I think there will be quite a few guys making noise in their first year of high school ball.  <strong>Carson</strong> <strong>Dolezal</strong>, <strong>Cobie</strong> <strong>Barnes</strong>, and <strong>Spencer</strong> <strong>Reist</strong> all teamed up this weekend and you could see how each could make a big impact right away.  </p> <p>Dolezal is a point guard from Tipton and if he could move senior <strong>Mason</strong> <strong>Degenkolb</strong> over a spot, it could really give them some depth that they desperately need.  Barnes, a 6’5 forward from Floyd Central, should be a big part of this season not only because of his size but also because of his aggressiveness.  He’s a tough guy who embraces contact more than others in his age group.  The Brebeuf Jesuit guard, <strong>Spencer</strong> <strong>Reist</strong>, is next in line as a big time shooter in the state.  He has such a good feel and can hit in the 15’ range as well as back well beyond the three-point line. Great passer as well.  All three should be able to find time on a Varsity roster this year and it would be more of a surprise if they didn’t provide an impact rather than if they did.</p> <p><strong>Desmond Bane Riding Big Weekend</strong></p> <p>The 2016 guard, <strong>Desmond</strong> <strong>Bane</strong>, was a big performer this weekend at two different events, the Metro Indy Fall League and Rick Lewis’ Elite 80 Camp.  Bane has been more aggressive since the end of the July Recruiting Period and it showed up again on Sunday.  He was trying to constantly finish above the rim and show off that athleticism.  Bane is a big time scorer and is adept inside of 15’ as a guard.  He’s tough, can take hits, and has decent touch near the paint.  He is going to have to expand more and clean up the jump shot but he’s a guy that could be a big time producer in his later years in college.</p> <p><strong>Miami County Producing Stretch Forwards</strong></p> <p>A pair of stretch forwards from Miami County sparked some interest this weekend.  One name you know and maybe one you don’t.  2017 forward <strong>Wyatt</strong> <strong>Hughes</strong> of Maconaquah has been on the radar for a while and just returned from a visit to Kent State on Saturday before playing well for the second weekend in a row.  He’s such a good shooter with a big body that can do a lot at the next level.  </p> <p>The name you might now have heard about to this point is Oak Hill sophomore <strong>Caleb</strong> <strong>Middlesworth</strong>.  The 6’7 forward played well this weekend on the perimeter as he looked comfortable stretching out and playing inside when needed.  He’s a long, thin frame but has some strength as well as decent touch on his jumper.  Like Hughes, he’s going to have to play in the paint more in the coming years to balance out his game but the duo from the Peru area could be a nice matchup to see when they play each other on December 12th.</p> <p><strong>Evan Borgman Stepping Up In The Fall</strong></p> <p>The class of 2016 didn’t have the greatest close to the summer but some guys have already shown to be back on track and looking good this fall. A guy that some should track is Jac-Cen-Del’s <strong>Evan</strong> <strong>Borgman</strong>.  The 6’8 forward was a little miscast this summer in terms of style of play but yesterday he showed he was ready to get back to the things he’s good at.  </p> <p>Borgman did well shooting from distance and once he hit some shots it was like he was ready to go again.  He drove to the rim and was in to grab some boards and was more active.  He’s always been a bit of a project but he has so much skill and in a day like he had Sunday it is easy to see what he could be with a little work.  A long stretch forward who should get more athletic in the coming years.  He’s got a big winter ahead of him but this weekend was a start and a pretty good one.</p> <p><strong>Guymon Is Growing On Me</strong></p> <p>Before the start of spring, Bishop Chatard’s <strong>Samuel</strong> <strong>Guymon</strong> wasn’t one of my favorite players but as the summer went on and in the last few weeks, he has really made me a bigger fan.  The 6’7 forward is aggressive and more athletic than I thought.  He has a little more toughness to him and has been great as a guy with the ball in his hands.  He’ll handle it on the perimeter and pass or drive and he’s got such a strong body that it is tough to deter him from getting to where he wants to go.  I’m not sure where the change was but the product that played in front of me the last two weeks is a guy others should be high on.</p> <p><strong>Chapman Is Healthy And On The Board</strong></p> <p>Don’t be shocked if you see Brownsburg’s <strong>Adrian</strong> <strong>Chapman</strong> making some noise this season.  The Bulldogs are regrouping like crazy after losing three big producing seniors.  Chapman missed basically all of last year but today he’s healthy and moving around really well.  I’ve been a fan of his but never sure if he was even close to being near his ceiling.  At 6’3, Chapman’s athletic ability and ball handling make him and intriguing wing player from some DIII and NAIA programs this fall.  He should have a big role in the offense this year as Brownsburg returns only one starter from last year.</p>