Notebook: Indiana All-Star Shootout
This past weekend, we stopped in at Ben Davis to check in on the Indiana All-Star Shootout which is an event that brings a bunch high school teams from Indiana that have players who are in the Indiana All-Star game later that night. It’s a good event to check and see who could repeat their performance from last year and see what those teams will have. Here is our notebook from the event.
- Columbus North – For Columbus North, losing Stephon Peters-Smith and Alex King really hurts but they might actually be pretty good. Jaylen Flemmons, Trey Vincent, and Trenton Kelley are a pretty good starting block. Vincent is a bigger guard who can overpower defenders when he drives. Flemmons brings more size on the wing. Kelley is that versatile forward that can shoot from three and rebound inside well. They lose a good chunk of their size so they will look quite a bit different but they have potential.
- Indianapolis Pike – Pike has been one of the more impressive teams we have seen this month. They lose some good pieces but they should be better this year. Having Michael Jerrell and Darian Porch as your interior threats with guys like Ditwan Gary, Tyree Pegues, A.J. White, and Caleb Redman outside should be a good set of talent. That is without adding in Chris Robinson, Ahmoni Jones, and Brandon Vernon who can all play all over the court. The versatility with this group is key. Vernon, Pegues, and White could all be guys that breakout this season.
- Bloomington North – This Bloomington North team didn’t lose anything. They return their key pieces in Musa Jallow, David Morgan, and Jack Townsend. They will also get standout freshman Isaac Vencel to plug into key minutes early. Musa has really taken off this spring and brought all aspects of his game together. Townsend continues to be a knockdown shooter and Morgan should take the point and run this team to their best season in a while. The upside of this team is high and it wouldn’t surprise me if they got through Sectionals and into the second weekend of the tournament.
- Valparaiso – Valparaiso was really good last year but this won’t be the same this year. They looked like they had pieces but they also looked like they had a ways to go. The most talented piece is easily Brandon Newman but he’s got to convert promise into production. He looks great and can make some plays but not enough yet to be a dominant player. However, he looks so close to that point that it could literally take just one weekend to do just that. If he does take off, that will change the entire outlook of this team.
- Jeffersonville – Last year, you could see the potential in this Jeffersonville team that is built mostly of underclassmen. Now, they look like they could be ready to step up another rung on the ladder. Gerrin Moore, Jacob Jones, and Tre Coleman are the future of this team. Coleman looks like he could be a potential top player in the state and Jones showed he has a little bit more offense this year. Moore wasn’t at the Shootout but he’s a guy that could be the senior leader that plays harder and tougher than everyone else on the floor. If they can get guys like Bailey Falknstein and Jaylen McSwain to take steps forward too, this team could really surprise some people. Defending the perimeter looked like the one area they need to improve.
- Ben Davis – Last year, you could definitely say that Ben Davis’ State Title was unexpected. With teams like New Albany and North Central looking great most of the year, Ben Davis had to shock some teams and they did just that. After watching last weekend, they look even better. Senior Aaron Henry is ready to take that jump and become one of the best players in the state. They lost a lot but they also will have Jalen Windham, Zion Conway, Cameron Maul, and Dawand Jones as their likely starters with Henry. Jones is an impact guy who looks like a defensive tackle. Has amazing hands and moves really well for his size. Was really impressed with this team.
- Cloverdale – This Cloverdale team was one to watch last year. They could lose by 15 or win by 40 and with Cooper Neese and Jalen Moore, you had two guys that could both drop 35+ in the same game. Now with Neese gone, Moore will be the guy and that will be interesting as Cloverdale doesn’t have a ton else right now. They will take a step back but Moore has the potential to score a lot of points as a senior.