Preseason Team Rankings: #20

<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 #20.</p> <p><b>1A #20: Argos</b><br /> Argos is coming off a 22-5 season where they won their Sectional but fell to State Champion Blackhawk Christian in Regionals. They lose quite a few pieces from that team including Ian Kindig and Lukas VanDerWeele. But they have a great senior class led by Sam Manikowski and Owen Nifong. Manikowski was the team's leading scorer last year and Owen was 3rd. Their path does get easier as Blackhawk moves up but Gary 21st is still sitting there in a potential Regional matchup. Look for them to get right back to winning but will need to get over the hump and make that deep run.</p> <p><strong>2A #20: Covenant Christian</strong><br /> Covenant Christian is coming off a mediocre year going 12-12 but ended the year well and lost in the Sectional finals to Monrovia. Now, they are bringing back their backcourt in Noah Hedrick and Trey Flatt along with their Top 5 scorers. Only Gus Chikamba is transferring out. With that being said, this is a team that should be able to take a step forward as both Hedrick and Flatt have improved over the last year. However, their Sectional got loaded as Park Tudor and University are both elite this season in 2A so a little luck and some toughness will be needed. One of the toughest Sectionals in 2A this year.</p> <p><strong>3A #20: Hanover Central</strong><br /> Hanover Central is coming off of one of their best years in a long time going 17-9 and winning a Sectional. This is their second-straight stellar season and will now try and go for a third as they bring back a good amount of talent while some have developed really well. Dominic Lucido, T.J. Burt, Joey Gildewell, and Kole Popko return as their #2-#5 scorers last year. Only Luke Barach leaves as a significant piece, their top scorer. However, look for sophomore Landen Babusiak to step up in a big way this year. The 6'7 and growing forward could possibly replace that missing scoring and doing it as a wing forward with great size. With no more Culver Acadmies in 3A, they could be a sneaky pick to make a deep run.</p> <p><b>4A #20: Floyd Central</b><br /> Floyd Central is coming off a great run of years since head coach Todd Sturgeon took over here. He has gone 12-9, 15-9, 19-5, 24-2, and 21-3 but has yet to get over the hump and win a Sectional title. This could be the year. While Floyd graduated a ton of guys and one of the best players they have ever had in Cobie Barnes, they still bring back some key guys in Grant Gohmann and Jack Heidbreder. They also have a stellar freshman coming in, Caleb Washington, who should be able to give size and skill all over the floor. If they can develop, like they always have, some bigs that contribute, this team could be a real threat again to make a run.</p>