Preseason Team Rankings: #5

<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 #5.</p> <p><b>1A #5: Gary 21st Century</b><br /> Gary 21st is at their culmination as they have had Johnell Davis running this team and their success for a few years now. He's an all-around phenomenal player and great for a 1A team to have. But, they haven't been able to get all the way to the State Finals yet. They do have 3 straight Sectional Championships and a Regional Championship. Now, he's a senior and they have guys like Demondrick Velez and Triyontae Lomax back for a final run. They should be the best team in 1A in Northern Indiana along with Central Catholic so another Semistate matchup seems like a likely metting place.</p> <p><strong>2A #5: University</strong><br /> University is looking like a true contender even after moving up to 2A this year. Had they been in 1A, they might have been 1 or 2 in the class. They have some size all up and down their roster with guys like Larry Pierce and Camden Brown and lots of shooting potential in Sam Mervis, Max Greenamoyer, and Joe Martin. They are built on veteran talent and have a schedule that will test them and give them some confidence heading into the late season. Their Sectional is not easy with Heritage Christian, Covenant Christian, and Park Tudor but if they get through that, things might be a bit easier.</p> <p><strong>3A #5: South Bend St. Joseph</strong><br /> The Indians are coming off a season in which they were still trying to piece everything together. The talent has gotten older over the last few seasons and now as guys like J.R. Konieczny and Adam O'Dell have become upperclassmen, this team is primed to breakout. They have a lot of size and depth with a guy like Jack Futa who could provide as useful. Cole Hatkevich, Jacob O'Dell, Connor Litka, Paxson Campbell, and Phillip Robles, should give some depth as well. If things come together, this team should be able to compete at the top of 3A.</p> <p><b>4A #5: Fort Wayne Snider</b><br /> Snider is in their best spot in some time as they have a ton of returning talent, tons of depth and a chance to make a legit run for a State Title. They bring back guys like Michael Eley, Isaac Farnsworth, Airyan Thomas, Dillon Duff, and Jordan Moore. This is a group that has the upside to put up a ton of points and run on teams. With not many teams in the Fort Wayne area in their Sectional really strong, this looks like the team to beat in Sectional 5. They should be more than tested heading into the postseason. Don't be shocked if they are able to make a legit run this year with so many seniors.<br /> <br /> </p>