Preseason Team Rankings: #8

<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 #8.</p> <p><b>1A #8: Morristown</b><br /> The Yellow Jackets are coming off a fantastic 22-5 record along with a Sectional Championship to go with a great regular season. They return a solid group of players along with their top two scorers, Kyle Crim (14.3 ppg) and Trevon Carlton (10.5 ppg). Look for Mattias Livezey and Sawyer Jones to step-up and make the leap forward this season. This is an older team with lots of experience. Nearly the same schedule as last season so expect the same results. This team has the skill and experience to win another Sectional and might be Coach Scott McClelland's best season yet.     </p> <p><strong>2A #8: Westview</strong><br /> The Warriors of Westview are heading into this season as Sectional Champs and off a great 25-6 record. This squad was one win away from making it to Semi-State so they will be looking to avenge that. They will be led by stud small forward Charlie Yoder, who is a very efficient scorer. Look for Drew Litwiller and Jordan Schrock to help take some pressure off Yoder this season. Looking at Westview's schedule, it is one of the easiest in 2A. This team will be well-coached like always and should easily get past Sectional and have a really good chance to win their Regional.          </p> <p><strong>3A #8: South Bend Washington </strong><br /> The Panthers are coming off a lackluster 14-11 record but return their top four scorers from last season. Physical players DeMarcus Vaughn (15.6 ppg) and Jylen Petty (14.2 ppg) will be the duo to lead this squad this season. This duo has been fantastic together all four years and will be looking to go out with a bang. Prospect Jayne Griffin (11.1 ppg) will be the "x-factor" for the Panthers this season. This might be one of the more aggressive teams in 3A as they kind of have an old-school playing mentality. They should win Sectional and make a deep run in the post-season. Teams will have the challenge of matching their toughness if they want to be able to compete with this physical team.             </p> <p><b>4A #8: Lafayette Jeff</b><br /> The Broncos are coming off a good 17-8 record and tough Sectional loss to Zionsville. This year's team returns a heavy amount of incoming seniors along with a pair of brotherly duos. Both sets of brothers, Braxton and Brooks Barnhizer and Avery and Ashton Beaver, are all four talented in their own right. Look for breakout seasons from Matt Jones and Owen Linder. This team has some of the best talent and shooting out of most of the 4A teams. Stock needs to be bought on this team. Having an easy Sectional will also help make them a top team in 4A. Could this year's team be the first Lafayette Jeff team to win State since 1964? PrepHoops Indiana is telling you, do not be shocked to see it.     </p>