Preseason Sleeper Teams in Class 1A

<p>There will be Indiana High School Basketball games played exactly four weeks from today. These next couple of weeks are were the preseason starts to get a little long and monotonous. Open gyms and fall workouts have been going on for over a month now, but the season itself is still a month away. To try and break up this portion of the fall we at Prep Hoops Indiana will turn back to previewing the upcoming season. A few weeks ago we went class-by-class highlighting who we believed to be the state championship favorites. Now, we will turn our attention to some potential sleepers in each class starting with the small schools in 1A. These teams could turn some heads this winter.</p>   <h2>Greenwood Christian</h2>   <p>The Cougars have a solid returning core from a team that went 17-10 a year ago. That team reached the sectional final before losing 48-41 to Indianapolis Lutheran. Sectional 59 will be wide open once again this season as Greenwood Christian tries to cut down the nets. In the senior class, 6'3" wing [player_tooltip player_id='1273138' first='Blake' last='Shewmaker'] is back with the perimeter skill and shooting ability to be a real problem for opponents. He had a great summer playing with Marlin Elite Academy and has draw some Division III college interest. Also on the perimeter is 6'1" junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1386511' first='Max' last='Booher']. This excellent shot-maker will be one of top the perimeter shooters at the Class 1A level this season. His continued progression will be a big reason why the Cougars can sneak up on some people this season. Expect senior guard Ian Reed and sophomore younger brother [player_tooltip player_id='1578449' first='Noah' last='Reed'] to factor into the equation heavily as well.</p>   <h2>Indiana Math & Science</h2>   <p>After a 17-10 season, the Knights return several rotation pieces and have a senior transfer that should provide an immediate influx of scoring. At point guard, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1424192' first='Maury' last='Lewis'] is an under-the-radar prospect who can flat out score the basketball. The athletic, physical playmaker averaged 18.7 points per game last season and should take over an even bigger scoring role as a senior. Lewis is a primary reason why Indiana Math & Science has a chance to win Sectional 58 this season. Additionally, senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1556658' first='Jasmin' last='Suvalija'], who transferred in from Fishers, should create a solid one-two punch next to Lewis. Suvalija is a talent jump shooter who can score it from all three levels on the floor. These two will create a dynamic backcourt that will include a handful of other returning contributors from last season. 6'6" Jaden Hatfield will provide rim protection and rebounding around the basket.</p>   <h2>Rock Creek Academy</h2>   <p>There may not be team in the state more undervalued going into this season than Rock Creek at the Class 1A level. The Lions went 14-9 last season before narrowly falling to Borden in Sectional 61. They return their three top scorers from last season and all three are receiving various levels of college interest. Senior guard LaDarius Wallace brings back 10.9 points per game to go along with a team-leading 3.7 assists. His playmaking ability on the perimeter is the perfect compliment for what is likely the biggest, and best, front court at the 1A level. 6'11" [player_tooltip player_id='1391464' first='Marial' last='Diper'] averaged 10.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game as a junior. Now, after a solid summer for George Hill All Indy, he will be leaned upon to be a two-way dominant force for the Lions. Next to him will be 6'7" senior [player_tooltip player_id='1273031' first='Jaleb' last='Treat'] who averaged 10.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Diper and Treat will be a massive interior presence and very hard to deal with in Class 1A.</p>   <h2>Seton Catholic</h2>   <p>Anytime you have one-two punch as talented as [player_tooltip player_id='1275899' first='Braiden' last='Hogg'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1578439' first='Mason' last='Harvey'] at the Class 1A level you are going to have a chance to be pretty successful. The most exciting part for the Cardinals is that both are still just juniors. Harvey, a 6'7" stretch 4-man, led Seton in scoring last season as a sophomore at 15.1 points per game while knocking down 39% of his three-pointers. He also pulled down 8.4 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. Manning the point guard role will be the 6'1" Hogg. As a sophomore he averaged 13.5 points per game and is expected to expand his role even further as the primary playmaker in the backcourt this season. Any ballscreens between these two prospects will be very hard for opponents to guard. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1578343' first='Andrew' last='Warner'] and senior Elijah Falcone are other returning rotation pieces who will provide some additional depth alongside the Cardinals two stars.</p>   <h2>Waldron</h2>   <p>Waldron returns their two leading scorers from last season's 12-11 squad. On paper, that may not seem like it would immediately jump off of the page. However, the Mohawks two returning leading scorers are talented enough that expectations will be high entering this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1556546' first='Bryce' last='Yarling'] averaged 20.4 points per game while 6'5" wing [player_tooltip player_id='1556366' first='Lucas' last='Mitchell'] contributed 17.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. These two will create as good of a one-two punch you will find at the Class 1A level. It will remain to be seen if there is enough help around those two stars for Waldron to find success in a tough Sectional 60 field, but on any given night being able to rely on Yarling and Mitchell will give you a chance to win.</p>

There will be Indiana High School Basketball games played exactly four weeks from today. These next couple of weeks are were the preseason starts to get a little long and monotonous. Open gyms and fall workouts have been going on for over a month now, but the season itself is still a month away. To try and break up this portion of the fall we at Prep Hoops Indiana will turn back to previewing the upcoming season. A few weeks ago we went class-by-class highlighting who we believed to be the state championship favorites. Now, we will turn our attention to some potential sleepers in each class starting with the small schools in 1A. These teams could turn some heads this winter.