Notebook: Charlie Hughes Large School Pt. 1
This past weekend was the Charlie Hughes Shootout, one of the best June events all month. It was packed with 50 of the top Varsity teams from around the state of Indiana. Today, we are looking at some of the top teams from the Large School Division.
Bedford North Lawrence – This Bedford team was solid even without Brayton Bailey who was out with an injury. McCall Ray and Cale Bunch are pretty solid for this group and provide a real toughness to the team. They have some size this year which will go a long ways hopefully. Add back in Bailey and they have a really good duo in their backcourt with him and Ray who can really score the ball. Like this group but tough area of the state to win a ton of games this year.
Bloomington South – This team will have some competition in the area as Bloomington North looks good when they have everyone healthy. However, South will be as good as Chance Coyle is. He went off a few times this weekend and really sparked some big wins. They aren’t as deep as they usually are but have a good starting lineup with Coyle, Anthony Leal, Chris Bomba, Phillip King, and Jager. They don’t have that true post player but they will put up points in a hurry as Leal and Coyle can really shootout. Not sure what this team will look like after this season but they for sure will be good this year.
Brebeuf Jesuit – This should be the year for Brebeuf Jesuit to be really good. They didn’t lose a ton last year that can’t be replaced in some form or another but Simon Banks is much improved and Myja White is having an outstanding spring. You also have Brennan Fitzgerald and Josh Haubry who can both give that inside-out presence at 6’5. They are still very deep with Reist, Wood, Higgins, Pressler, and Howard. If the offense can be consistent then this team could really flourish.
Brownsburg – Brownsburg loses their heart and leader in Landon Hall but this team still has a ton of talent. Mostly younger guys right now but can be really good this year if Coach Lynch can bring it all together. If Antrez Baker plays again this year, he will join Damon Craig, Richard Lang, Kyle Wolf, and Malek Edmonds as guys that will give size and play inside for Brownsburg. Then they have Cam Alford, Pierce Thomas, and Reis Thomas on the guard and wing spots. They could run out a really impressive scoring lineup if they wanted. Pierce Thomas is an incoming freshman that should start from Day 1 and really score the ball.
Cardinal Ritter – This might have been the best we have seen this Cardinal Ritter team in the last few years. They have a trio of talent with guys like Nate Soltis, Miles Tracy, and Shelby Turner. Soltis is playing really well this Spring but Tracy and Turner could end up being more important to this team. Turner is a pretty quick and athletic point guard while Tracy brings size and an interior presence at 6’6. This team could be pretty good even though losing Dumes and Bell hurts from last years group. Soltis is taking that step forward and Turner could be a good scoring option as well.
Carmel – This Carmel team will be a bit like a feast or famine group. They can shoot the ball ridiculously well with guys like Luke Heady, Cole Jenkins, and Andrew Owens. However, will be interesting to see how they look when those threes aren’t falling. They do have a bit of talent with John-Michael Mulloy inside and Andrew Owens on the wing. Those two should do really well this year. Add in an improving Jalen Whack and you will pair those guys with Jenkins and Heady and that is your starting lineup. They will likely get a couple big bodies from football that will help provide depth. You also have more talent beyond that with Eddie Gill and Alex Jackson. There are high expectations on Carmel every year and this year is no exception.