Preseason Team Rankings: #42

<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 #42.</p> <p><b>1A #42: Pioneer   </b><br /> The Panthers are coming off a slightly above .500 record of 13-12 a season ago. They are also coming off a very tough two-point loss to Covenant Christian (DeMotte) in the 1A Sectional Finals as well. The good news for Pioneer is that they are returning three of their top five scorers from last season. They will be led by 5’8 senior point guard Gage Cripe, who lead the team in assists and rebounds last year. Alongside Cripe, there is their lead returning scorer, senior shooting guard Logan Nusbaum (13.2 ppg). Look for forwards Jacob Brown and Hunter Klepinger to step up and provide some much-needed post support for this squad. While there may be some questions in the front court this season, the Pioneer Panthers should be the one of the favorites going into their Sectional come post-season.   </p> <p><strong>2A #42: Clarksville</strong><br /> The Generals are coming off a horrid record of 6-17 from last season. They do, however, return their top three scorers so there is a chance they can improve this year. They will be led by athletic stud and junior guard Dae’von Fuqua, who led the team in scoring (18.3 ppg) and rebounding (7.0 rpg) a season ago. To help take some scoring pressure off Fuqua is perimeter, sharp-shooter Keyshawn Minor (7.0 ppg), who will also provide his great defense as well. Clarksville will need for senior guard Kohe Quarles (6.0 ppg) to step up and provide some leadership for this team. While they are an extremely small team, they are one of the quickest teams in their conference. With that being said and who they have returning, they should likely improve this season.  </p> <p><strong>3A #42: Mississinewa</strong><br /> Coming off a record of 12-10, the Indians will be looking to build off that this season. They have a great opportunity to do so as they will return their top three scorers. All eyes this year will be on 6-4 junior forward Tai Mcclung (15.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg), who will be the top scoring option this season. Look for lights-out shooter Landen Swanner (12.2) to continue to provide the perimeter scoring. To complete the Indians “big three” is dynamic point guard Anthony Horton who averaged 11.7 ppg and led the team in assists at 4.3 apg. Mississnewa is returning one of the overall best players packages in the state. Look for this team to take the next step forward and be dominate this upcoming season. The Indians are a dark horse to win a loaded Sectional.   </p> <p><strong>4A #42: East Noble<br /> </strong>The Knights are coming off a great regular season record of 21-4 and tough a Sectional Championship loss against Fort Wayne Northrop. This season has some challenges for East Noble as they will be looking to replace two great outgoing seniors Ali Ali and Brent Cox. The good news is that they return their other top two players, senior forward Hayden Jones and junior guard Nick Dickson. Jones (12.4 ppg, 5.7 apg) will be the focus on the offense as he is a complete player and does great on defense. Dickson (9.0ppg) will be looking to take it up a notch and provide more scoring than he did last season. Look for senior power forward Gage Ernsberge (1.7 ppg) to become more of a post presence as well. By the time Sectional comes, the Knights should be one of the favorites along with Fort Wayne Northrop.</p>