Charlie Hughes Shootout: Notebook Pt. III

This weekend was the final live period for high school programs in June. It was a huge event at the Charlie Hughes Shootout with over 100 teams and more than 120 college coaches on hand. We recap what we saw from the teams at the event here. Mishawaka Marian (3A): Mishawaka Marian is a team to really be mindful of moving forward. They have a legit Mr. Basketball Contender on a team that should win a ton of games. They have a starting lineup that is going to put up points with Jaden Ivey leading the way. Jerry Bracey and Kaleo Kakalia are two really interesting guys to watch with this group. They no longer have to go through Culver Academies in Sectional so a deep run just became a lot easier. Marion (4A): Marion moving up to 4A is rough but they have been in this spot for quite a while now bouncing back and forth. But, scoring points is not going to be an issue at all for this team. Jalen Blackmon will put up a lot of shots and get a lot of points. But Jakylen Thomas is one the tough guys you will find anywhere and Rasheed Jones looks like a potential star in the making. Monrovia (3A): With a guy like Josh Smith emerging as a star player, that will keep Monrovia on the map this year. They should compete but their schedule is always filled with potholes. Trying to find some other talent that can help will be the thing here. This team has potential but most of it is tied up in just how much Smith progresses between now and November. Muncie Central (4A): In the NCC, only 3 teams look like legit contenders in a normally tough conference. Muncie Central will be one of them. Backed by Victor Young, Dylan Stafford, and Reggie Bass if returns, this could be a very tough and offensive oriented group that can compete with a difficult schedule. Really good shooting group as well. Northridge (4A): The run-and-gun style of Northridge will be put on display again this year. Probably not quite as good as last season but with Alex Stauffer and Sam Smith back, they should have some ability to compete in 4A in the north. When they get hot, this team should be able to play in most games and be competitive. Northview (3A): Northview is a team that has been trying to rebuild here for a little while and this might be the first time where they can have some expectations. They have just been so, so young. Now, Carson Gettle and Cade Bryan are seniors, Caleb Swearingen is a junior, and they have some size with their young sophomores. This is a program that can produce college talent so it is only a matter of time. This could be the year they compete well again. Indianapolis Pike (4A): Bill Zych has rebuilt again and with a ton of new faces. They lost a bunch to graduation and to transfer but bring back guys like Davion Bailey and Jalen Love. They also got J.J. Louden to transfer in from Brownsburg. But look for guys like Noah Gordan and Ryan Conwell to have some impact this year. Conwell is small but really good right now. They have a trio of junior post players in the post that they should be able to post up and work on the boards. Not sure what the ceiling is but I’m not about to tell Zych that they can’t make a run. He usually proves you wrong. Richmond (4A): This season will be a little bit of a make-or-break season at Richmond. They have some talent but this is a program that doesn’t like to lose. So, with guys like Andrew Kroft, Jordan Stolle, and Koream Jett, they should have the guards to score enough. Shabaz Khaliq has proven he can be good with teams that need to grind out wins so this might have to be another one of those. The community wants success. Scottsburg (3A): This Scottsburg team should be able to compete in 3A a bit this year. Now, 3A South is a nightmare road littered with Greensburg, Bosse, Heritage Hills, Silver Creek and others. So, not making it deep shouldn’t be a knock against this team. But, they should be able to compete. Nick Sebastiao looks intriguing in his final season. Hayden Cutter was one of the best and most productive high school freshman in the state. Now, he will be looked at for a lot of the work load. Southport (4A): Southport is one of the teams that will have a lot on their plate this year as they try and make a move forward in their development. With Brevin Jefferson, Matt Munoz, and Ryan Lezon back, they have three seniors that have that kind of impact and upside. But, they need more from Munoz and Jefferson as they step into new roles. Could take a step up this year but it is on the backs of their seniors who need to produce. Southridge (2A): Southridge moving down to 2A is huge for them as they have been good enough the last couple of years to make it to Semistate but 3A talent is difficult. Now, they still have a tough road but not likely as hard as it was before. They also have Colson Montgomery who is not playing football this year and that should allow him to come in guns blazing for the high school season. He’s a potential Indiana All-Star as a junior. But they have guys like Kaeden Nuekam, Carter Whitehead, and Garrett Voegerl that should be huge assets this year.