Indiana High School Preview: Class 4A South

<p>In 49 states it is just basketball, but this is Indiana. There is no better time of year than high school basketball season in the Hoosier state. Here at Prep Hoops Indiana, our staff will set out to bring the very best coverage from throughout the state. Evansville, Gary, South Bend, Terre Haute, we will leave no corner of Indiana unturned.</p> <p>Now that official practices are quickly approaching and we are just weeks away from tipping off the first game, it is time to dive head first into previewing the upcoming season. Over the coming weeks you can expect breakdowns of each class along with teams and players to watch, a look at the top Mr. Basketball and Indiana All-Star candidates, preseason team rankings, and much, much more. For even more coverage, make sure to follow our staff on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/BRamseyKSR">@BRamseyKSR</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/kylerstaley">@kylerstaley</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/HSIndianaBball">@HSIndianaBball</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/KrisMills37">@KrisMills37.</a></p> <p>There is nothing quite like the Class 4A South. Sectional 10 is truly one of the most competitive events in the country year-in and year-out. That will be true once again this season as multiple teams in the Sectional have legitimate state championship aspirations. Further south, Sectional 15 features a very talented trio of Floyd Central, Jeffersonville, and New Albany for what will be another tough Sectional battle. Let’s take a look at some of the top teams throughout the 4A South.</p> <h2>The Favorite: Cathedral High School</h2> <p>Despite a lot of regular season success, Cathedral has yet to win Sectional 10 under head coach Jason Delany. In fact, they haven’t even won a sectional game. That is just how ridiculously tough the bracket is. However, that stands to change this season. The Irish are absolutely loaded with talent beginning with a pair of Indiana All-Star candidates in the senior class. Point Guard [player_tooltip player_id="870212" first="Tayshawn" last="Comer"], an Eastern Kentucky signee, and wing [player_tooltip player_id="1063971" first="Jaxon" last="Edwards"], a Murray State signee provide dynamic two-way ability. Down low, the #1 prospect in the Class of 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="868219" first="Xavier" last="Booker"] holds things down. The national 4-star recruit will be an absolute game-changer on both ends of the floor this season. Then, you add in junior sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id="868251" first="Jake" last="Davis"] and athletic wing [player_tooltip player_id="868252" first="Jaron" last="Tibbs"] and it just starts to seem unfair how loaded their roster is. Basketball in Indianapolis is unforgiving though. Cathedral may be the favorite, but to make it out of Sectional 10, let alone make a run to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, they will have to earn it every single night.</p> <h2>Don’t Count Out: Arsenal Tech High School</h2> <p>When talking about talented rosters, you have to stay in Sectional 10 and look at Arsenal Tech. A flurry of offseason transfers has made the Titans one of the favorites heading into the season after going just 11-12 last year. Returning is point guard and leading-scorer [player_tooltip player_id="870218" first="Dayveon" last="Turner"]. Now, he is surrounded by weapons like [player_tooltip player_id="1006434" first="Reggie" last="Bass"], [player_tooltip player_id="643490" first="Rasheed" last="Jones"], and Antonio Lisenbee Jr. On any given night, like in the state tournament, Arsenal Tech can beat anyone in the state. If all of these pieces become a cohesive unit they will be especially dangerous. Look out for the Titans in March.</p> <h2>Sleeper: Ben Davis High School</h2> <p>Heading into the 2021-2022 season there probably isn’t a more underrated team that Ben Davis. They are very deep with talent led by a super strong junior class. Point Guard [player_tooltip player_id="1273713" first="Sheridan" last="Sharp"] will have the keys to the offense with talented forwards in 6’7" [player_tooltip player_id="1049168" first="Jesse" last="Faires"] and 6’9" [player_tooltip player_id="1042497" first="Zane" last="Doughty"] around the basket. 6’7" senior [player_tooltip player_id="1269595" first="Tionne" last="Spates"] proves additional size as well. On the perimeter, senior guard Kenny Troutman and junior [player_tooltip player_id="1160716" first="Clay" last="Butler"] give some extra depth in the ball handling department. 6’1" sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="1158204" first="K.J." last="Windham"] may be the most talented of the bunch as well. The Giants will be as good as anyone in the Indianapolis area this year.</p> <h2>Honorable Mention: Jeffersonville Red Devils</h2> <p>Fresh off of a 15-7 season that ended with a one-point loss in the Regional semi-final to Bloomington South, the Red Devils are poised to make noise in the tournament once again. Drake commit [player_tooltip player_id="769655" first="Will" last="Lovings-Watts"] is back as one of the best players in southern Indiana. The 6’5" wing is an extremely athletic, physical presence that should have an Indiana All-Star caliber season for Jeffersonville. 6’5" guard [player_tooltip player_id="1269898" first="Brandon" last="Rayzer-Moore"] provides excellent shooting ability on the perimeter. Rounding out a talented senior class trio is point guard [player_tooltip player_id="870261" first="Kobe" last="Stoudemire"]. This team will be able to put up points and should be a tough out in the tournament.</p>