Indiana High School Preview: Teams to Watch, Part 1

<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>Today, Monday, high school practices began all around the state. In just two weeks, we will have games tipping off. Basketball season is here. So far in our preview series we have broken down Class 1A-3A including the top players and teams competing for state championships. Before diving into previewing Class 4A, let’s take a step back and break down a few teams we are excited to watch this season.</p> <h2>Barr-Reeve Vikings</h2> <p>Since head coach Josh Thompson took over prior to the 2018-2019 season, the Vikings are 80-6 and coming off of a state championship. Barr-Reeve would likely have back-to-back titles if not for the 2020 tournament being cancelled. It will be a new era for the Class 1A powerhouse though. Curt Hopf graduated 19.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game and is now at Bellarmine. Brycen Graber graduated as the state’s all-time leader in assists. Replacing those two, including five additional seniors, will be hard to overcome. However, the cupboard is far from bare. Junior All-Star [player_tooltip player_id="958397" first="Hagen" last="Knepp"] is back as one of the best players in southern Indiana. It will be interesting to see how the Vikings are after so much attrition due to graduation.</p> <h2>Parke Heritage Wolves</h2> <p>After a trip to the state championship a year ago, Parke Heritage is hungry for more. Six seniors graduated, but the Wolves leading scorer returns in junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="935724" first="Christian" last="Johnson"]. The 6’1" guard will be a Junior All-Star candidate after averaging 15.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last season. The Class 2A south will be extremely competitive this season, but Parke Heritage will definitely be one of the teams with high post season expectations.</p> <h2>North Harrison Cougars</h2> <p>Nobody is as happy to see some graduation finally hit Silver Creek as the North Harrison Cougars. However, Sectional 30 will still be as competitive as ever. Coach Lou Lefevre is 36-10 in two seasons with a pair of postseason losses to the Dragons. Evansville commit [player_tooltip player_id="870295" first="Logan" last="McIntire"] and 6’7" senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="870242" first="Ethan" last="Oakley"] will give the Cougars a very solid one-two punch from the perimeter and interior. 6’4" junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1139498" first="Kaleb" last="Kellems"] is another threat on any given night. This team will be among the most dangerous at the Class 3A level.</p>