3 For 3: Week 1 Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022-23 high school boys' basketball season is officially underway and we at Prep Hoops Indiana want to give you the absolute best coverage in the whole state. Indiana is full of great teams and talented players thus giving the fans incredible matchups every week. Join me, Kyler Staley, every Monday during the season as I preview the 3 Players, 3 Teams, and 3 Matchups to watch for that coming week. Are you ready? Let's get started!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3 Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["868218"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b875dd5974"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welp, he is back! After spending a season in California at Donda Academy, Hooks opted to return to the state of Indiana to finish out his high school career returning to Warren Central. For those who are not familiar with Hooks, he is a very athletic, powerful wing that can score at all three levels at a decent rate. During his time away from Indiana he fought some injuries which somewhat caused his recruitment to decline just a bit. A big senior year will be get his recruitment right back on track as this guy can play from low-high major D1. You can see him and Warren Central this week when they host Indianapolis Tech tonight at 7:30 ET. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1158215"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b875dd59a7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When looking at the 2024 class, you can easily say that Day is the second best center in the class right behind that phenom that plays for Kokomo. After patiently waiting for his time in his first two years, the 6'7 junior is expected to see a major increase in his role at Homestead. He is a physical yet smooth post player that has shown an ability to stretch the floor as well. His lankiness is a major advantage to him and his recruitment is starting to take shape with schools like Hope College, Indiana Wesleyan, Anderson, and others having interest in him. Has the potential to be a Indiana Junior All-Star this year. He and Homestead host Huntington North on Nov. 23rd to open the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1297118"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b875dd59c6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is only fitting that we start week 1 of this series with one of the best overall prospects not only in the 2025 class, but in the entire state. Sisley is a four-star forward that is extremely versatile and coming off a big summer playing for [program_tooltip program_id='2076927' first='Indy' last='Heat'] 2024. He scores so well at all three levels and can handle the ball like a guard given his size. He is easily one of the most recruited players in the state currently with lots of Big Ten schools like Indiana, Purdue, Iowa, and others going after him hard. He is in for a special sophomore year. He and Heritage Hills start the season with a tough home game vs North Harrison on Saturday, Nov. 26th. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3 Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cathedral (4A):</strong> The reigning 4A State Champions are looking to have a repeat season and they certainly bring back the talent to do so. Let's start with perhaps the best overall prospect in the 2023 class nationwide, [player_tooltip player_id='868219' first='Xavier' last='Booker'], who has committed to Michigan State. After Booker, Purdue football commit [player_tooltip player_id='868252' first='Jaron' last='Tibbs'], Mercer commit [player_tooltip player_id='868251' first='Jake' last='Davis'], and dynamic shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='868260' first='Sincere' last='Germany'] are also back for the Fighting Irish and all three will be major contributors as they did last season. They do have to replace guard Tayshawn Comer and Jaxon Edwards but they potentially have capable replacements especially Portage transfer [player_tooltip player_id='868227' first='Kamari' last='Slaughter'] and New Jersey transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1761728' first='Zach' last='Meeks']</strong>. Cathedral is easily one of the favorites to win the 4A state title again and start the season off at home versus Fort Wayne North (11/22) and then travel to Jeffersonville (11/26). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brownstown Central</strong> <strong>(2A):</strong> The Braves of Brownstown Central might be the overall favorite to win the 2A state Championship this season. The Braves come into this year with a loaded roster of talent and they are lead by 2024 Purdue commit [player_tooltip player_id='1158245' first='Jack' last='Benter'], who is one of the best overall scorers in the state. They also bring in two stud transfers from Scottsburg in [player_tooltip player_id='1297005' first='Colby' last='Hall']&nbsp;and <strong>Chance Comer</strong>. Add in 2023 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1556396' first='Jakob' last='Arthur'] and 2024 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1547584' first='Parker' last='Hehman'], this group has a good mixture of old and young talent that can take them far this season. Brownstown opens up this season with a game on the road at reigning 2A State Champions, Providence (11/26). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marquette Catholic (1A):</strong>&nbsp;The Blazers might sneakily be one of the 1A State favorites that people aren't talking about enough. They return two stud senior wings in [player_tooltip player_id='1167896' first='Lukas' last='Balling'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1162739' first='Jason' last='Kobe']. Balling averaged an outstanding 16.6 points and 7.7 rebounds while Kobe averaged around 11 points per game last year. Both should be in for huge senior seasons and should help the Blazers improve from a mediocre 13-11 record from a year ago. It will come down to what other players step up for them this year. Marquette Catholic starts the season off on the road at Michigan city (11/26). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3 Matchups&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ben Davis (4A) at Fishers (4A) – Nov. 22nd, 7:30 pm:</strong> No question about it, this is the biggest game of week 1 and it shouldn't be any debate. You have possibly two of the top three teams in 4A this season and one of them has to start the season with a loss. Both have tons of talent on each side with Ben Davis being led by senior center [player_tooltip player_id='1042497' first='Zane' last='Doughty'] (Valparaiso commit) and Fishers being led by sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1297052' first='Jalen' last='Haralson'], who is one of the top 2025s in the nation. This game will likely come down to which supporting cast steps up. In my opinion, Ben Davis on paper has the best cast with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1273713' first='Sheridan' last='Sharp'], [player_tooltip player_id='1273740' first='Shaun' last='Arnold'], Jesse Faries, and [player_tooltip player_id='1158204' first='K.J.' last='Windham'] but that is not to say that Fishers does not because guys like [player_tooltip player_id='935744' first='James' last='Stasey'], [player_tooltip player_id='1578471' first='Taden' last='Metzger'], [player_tooltip player_id='1578361' first='Carter' last='Jones'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1525664' first='Jonanthony' last='Hall'] are more than capable of stepping up when needed to. To pick a winner is tough but Ben Davis on paper has more talent and experience so I am going with the Giants in this one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Wayne Concordia (3A) at NorthWood (3A) – Nov. 26th, 1:30 pm:&nbsp;</strong>When looking for a 3A matchup to put on here, this one really intrigued me. The NorthWood Panthers should be one of the favorites to win 3A this season and Indiana Junior All-Star [player_tooltip player_id='1226596' first='Cade' last='Brenner'] retuning his 19 PPG as well as senior [player_tooltip player_id='1391324' first='Ian' last='Raasch'] and and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1376875' first='Nitareon' last='Tuggle']. Throw in [player_tooltip player_id='1225303' first='Ethan' last='Wolfe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1297122' first='Tyler' last='Raasch'], that is just a talented group from top to bottom. However, even though Concordia finished with just a 13-12 record last year, they have talent to improve this year and it starts with 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1158179' first='Ajani' last='Washington'], who is one of the top players in the state. The Cadets also bring back senior PF [player_tooltip player_id='1272959' first='Grant' last='Hayworth'] and junior SF [player_tooltip player_id='1158230' first='Cole' last='Hayworth'], both who will provide a lot production for them all season. NorthWood will be tested early this year, but they have more talent than Concordia so I like them to hold home ground here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gobbler Games at Rose-Hulman – Nov. 26th, 10:00 am:</strong> Ok I am cheating here a bit but it is always nice to start the high school season with a holiday tourney and the Gobbler Games hosted at Rose Hulman should be a great one as you will see some of the most competitive teams in Southern Indiana compete in an all day shootout. There will also be some of top tier talent in Southern Indiana participating in this one this year that includes: [player_tooltip player_id='868240' first='Joey' last='Hart'] (Linton), [player_tooltip player_id='935736' first='Logan' last='Webb'] (Linton), [player_tooltip player_id='1158180' first='Braden' last='Walters'] (Linton), [player_tooltip player_id='935727' first='Jaylen' last='Mullen'] (North Daviess), [player_tooltip player_id='1557223' first='Peter' last='Combs'] (Bloomfield), [player_tooltip player_id='1275905' first='Jack' last='Moulton'] (South Vermillion), [player_tooltip player_id='1253266' first='Zeke' last='Tanoos'] (West Vigo), [player_tooltip player_id='1297114' first='Talan' last='Boehler'] (West Vigo), [player_tooltip player_id='1391655' first='T.J.' last='Wilson'] (Terre Haute South), [player_tooltip player_id='1384405' first='Zayvion' last='Baker'] (Terre Haute South), [player_tooltip player_id='1578468' first='Shane' last='Sims'] (Evansville Harrison), [player_tooltip player_id='1578416' first='Jesiah' last='Sloss'] (Evansville Harrison), [player_tooltip player_id='868264' first='Drew' last='Cook'] (Northview), [player_tooltip player_id='1049186' first='Bryson' last='Carpenter'] (Terre Haute North), and so much more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Here is the the full schedule for the Gobbler Games (Rose-Hulman): </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>10:00 am</strong></td><td><strong>North Vermillion vs. North Central (Farmersburg)</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>11:30 am</strong></td><td><strong>Mitchell vs. Bloomfield</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>1:00 pm</strong></td><td><strong>South Vermillion vs. West Vigo</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2:30 pm</strong></td><td><strong>Parke Heritage vs. Owen Valley</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>4:00 pm</strong></td><td><strong>Martinsville vs. Terre Haute South</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>5:30 pm</strong></td><td><strong>Evansville Harrison vs. South Knox</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>7:00 pm</strong></td><td><strong>Linton-Stockton vs. Northview</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>8:30 pm</strong></td><td><strong>North Daviess vs. Terre Haute North</strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table -->