Season Preview – Class 3A State Title Favorites

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indiana High School Basketball practice is officially underway. After a long fall where teams are only allowed two days a week of two hour open workouts, tryouts started on Monday the 7th with normal practices ready to start this week. You can almost start to feel the buzz in the air as football is into the Regional round and basketball games are just around the corner. Tip-off will come the Monday prior to Thanksgiving with full slates of games that Tuesday and Wednesday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>About two months ago did a series of “way too early” season previews. Those gave us a baseline for the best players and teams around the state. Now, after spending the last two months visiting multiple open gym workouts every week we can put out an even more in-depth and accurate preview. It is no longer “way too early.” Here is a list of the top teams to watch in Class 3A this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/noah-lovan/"></a>Class 3A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Connersville</strong>: The Spartans had an untimely first round exit from last season's state tournament. However, they bring back a lot of production and will look to accomplish their post season goals this time around. Connersville's top two scorers from a year ago,&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578435' first='Lucas' last='Barron']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/lucas-barron-2/"><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295370' first='Josh' last='Williams']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josh-williams-5/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;, are both back for their senior seasons. These two are among the best players in east central Indiana and are poised for big years. Additionally, we know that the Spartans are always going to be one of the best defensive teams in the state. Greensburg will still be a tough out in Sectional 29, but give me Connersville to advance and have a real shot at making it to Gainbridge Fieldhouse out of the south.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Guerin Catholic</strong>: Guerin Catholic lost by two points to a senior-heavy Brebuef Jesuit team in Sectional 27 last season. Now, they've added Heritage Christian to the mix as well but the Golden Eagles should be the favorites to cut down the nets. Despite losing leading scorer Will Grissom to graduation, there is a lot of returning production here. Junior guard&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1275817' first='Robert' last='Sorensen']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/robert-sorensen/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;and senior wing&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='868267' first='Lucas' last='Parker']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/lucas-parker/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;are the top returners after averaging 9.5 and 8.7 points per game respectively.&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1162765' first='Kamea' last='Chandler']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kamea-chandler/"><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1386181' first='Jack' last='Cherry']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jack-cherry/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;will provide some experienced depth in the backcourt as well. Versatile wing&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1547883' first='Dylan' last='Murans']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dylan-murans/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;came via transfer and should make an instant impact to the Guerin Catholic squad this season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Mishawaka Marian</strong>: After finishing as the Class 3A runner-up last season, senior point guard&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1049162' first='Deaglan' last='Sullivan']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/deaglan-sullivan/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>is back with his 17 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. Other key returners include&nbsp;<strong></strong><a href=""><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;,&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1049174' first='Dareon' last='Thornton']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dareon-thornton/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;, and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1384443' first='Zion' last='Rhoades']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zion-rhoades/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;. It will likely be a toss-up with Culver Academy in the regional, just as it was last season when Marian won 39-38. However, the experience of already making it to Gainbridge Fieldhouse leads to giving the Knights a slight nod heading into the season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>North Daviess</strong>: Fresh off a Class 1A state championship, North Daviess has made the jump all the way to Class 3A. After being moved up to 2A, they elected to compete up another classification. Heritage Hills will likely provide some resistance in Sectional 31, but there is certainly a realistic path for the Cougars to make it back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse as a 3A school. Oakland City commit&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='935727' first='Jaylen' last='Mullen']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaylen-mullen/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;highlights the returners after averaging 16.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4 assists per game.&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556399' first='Lance' last='Wilson']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/lance-wilson/"><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556400' first='Logan' last='Wilson']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/logan-wilson-2/"><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;were both starters as well averaging 9.2 and 8.7 points respectively. This team is out to prove they can compete at this level and certainly have the talent and experience to do so.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>NorthWood</strong>: The Panthers will arguably be the most complete Class 3A heading into this season. After a 25-3 season and regional final exit, NorthWood returns much of their core including Indiana Junior All-Star&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1226596' first='Cade' last='Brenner']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cade-brenner/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;who averaged 19 points per game and shot 40% from three-point range on nearly 200 attempts. 6'6″ senior forward&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1391324' first='Ian' last='Raasch']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ian-raasch/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;and 6'3″ elite athlete&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1376875' first='Nitareon' last='Tuggle']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nitareon-tuggle/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;also return as key contributors from a year ago. Junior guard&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225303' first='Ethan' last='Wolfe']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ethan-wolfe/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;and 6'7″ sophomore&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297122' first='Tyler' last='Raasch']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tyler-raasch/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;are among the others who will contribute to a potential state championship run for NorthWood.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Early Potential Contenders</strong>: Culver Academy, Oak Hill, Scottsburg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->