Preseason Team Rankings: #37

<p>It’s now creeping up on the start of the high school season and we are looking to start our series of previews on some of the best teams in the state. Today, Eric Gardner and Kyler Staley join up to start our deep dive into some of these teams.</p> <p>Our series will take a look at the best teams in the state for each class with our rankings. Starting at #50 and going to #1, we will look at each class ranking across all classes starting now with #37.</p> <p><b>1A #37: Riverton Parke </b><br /> The Panthers are coming into this season off a bad record of 8-17 and tough Sectional loss to Attica. The good news about this year's team is that they have a heavy senior class that will have lots of varsity experience. The team will likely be led by senior guard Brandon Hazzard (9.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg), who is an explosive guard that is tough-minded when he has the ball in his hands. Junior guard Pierson Barns (7.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg) will be looking to have a breakout year this season. Look for dominant bigs Logan Harrison (7.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg) and Garrett Lawson (5.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg) to be one of the top frontcourt duos in the state. Riverton Parke is a well built, mature team. They should be one of the favorites along with South Putnam to come out of their Sectional.     </p> <p><strong>2A #37: Monroe Central</strong><br /> The Monroe Central Golden Bears will becoming off a sub-par record of 12-11 heading into this season. They return standout sophomore, and lead scorer, Jackson Ullom (18.0 ppg, 3.3 apg, 2.4 rpg). All eyes this year will probably be on this fantastic combo guard, however, look for shifty senior guard Will Jones (13.2 ppg) and strong senior Forward/Wing Sam Feola (10.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg) to both have a breakout season. Also look for forwards Landan Patterson and Caleb Snyder to step up and provide huge varsity minutes. In order to improve this season, the Golden Bears must all take it to the next level and be ready to compete each and every game.         </p> <p><strong>3A #37: Crawfordsville</strong><br /> Coming off a great record of 18-7 and tough overtime Sectional loss to Greencastle, the Athenians return a very experienced varsity group. Crawfordsville will be likely led by junior small forward Jesse Johnson-Hall (15.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg). This 6'6 prospect is truly a great player all-around and should be one of the top 2021 players in Indiana after this season. Senior point guard Karsten Williamson (10.0 ppg, 5.7 apg), who is an extremely good passer, will also be another leader for this squad. Look for great scoring senior guard Tray Scorza (9.4 ppg) to have a breakout season as well. This should still be a tough team to beat like last year. The Golden Bears are in a loaded Sectional but do have a good chance to make it to Regionals.            </p> <p><b>4A #37: North Central (Indianapolis)  </b><br /> The Panthers of North Central will be coming into this season off a terrible 7-17 record. This year, they will likely be led by great defender and fast guard Leland Walker and Brandon Best, who is an athletic, good passer and finisher. Down low, lengthy 6'4 big man Jackson Gowdy will be looking to continue his great rebounding and post presence. The Panthers are returning a solid group of talent this year. Even though they are in a tough conference and Sectional, this team can improve in every aspect of the game. If they can come together and bring it as a group, this could be a very special team this year for North Central.     </p>