Forum Tip-Off Classic – 6 Games, 6 Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The annual Forum Tip-Off Classic took place at Southport Fieldhouse on Saturday and lived up to the high expectations. Six great basketball games featuring some of the top teams, and individual players, from around the state of Indiana. As we close the book on event let's take a look back and six takeaways from being in the gym all day long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>North Daviess is transitioning to Class 3A just fine.</strong> After winning the Class 1A state championship in 2022, the Cougars are competing all the way up in Class 3A this season. At Saturday's Forum Tip-Off Classic they knocked off the defending 3A state title winners with a 40-38 win over Beech Grove. This team has a legitimate chance of cutting down the Gainbridge Fieldhouse nets once again.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Norwell will have a shot in the Class 3A North.</strong> Speaking of Class 3A contenders, Norwell certainly showed their ability to compete for a championship on Saturday. Bethel signee [player_tooltip player_id='935745' first='Luke' last='McBride'] was his typical self scoring 23 points, but the addition of six three-pointers and 22 points from Lleyton Bailey is what really turned some heads. This is a potent back court with some muscle around the basket as well. The Knights won their sectional last season and will look to make even more postseason noise this time around.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Jack Svetich making a name for himself at Crown Point.</strong> This junior guard has had a strong start to the season for the Bulldogs. He put that on display for eyes all across the state on Saturday in a win over host Southport. Svetich scored 21 points and showcased his all-around offensive skill level to help Crown Point move to 4-1 on the young season. His ability to take some of the scoring burden off of Bellarmine signee [player_tooltip player_id='868237' first='A.J.' last='Lux'] really raises the level of what their team can accomplish this year.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Believe all of the hype surrounding [player_tooltip player_id='1297052' first='Jalen' last='Haralson'].</strong> If you haven't been out to see this 5-star sophomore yet what have you been doing? The 6'7" point guard is one of the best players in the state regardless of class and played one of his most complete games yet on Saturday in a 79-60 win over Bloomington North. Haralson finished with an incredible 35 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1049169' first='Markus' last='Burton'] is the CLEAR Indiana Mr. Basketball front-runner. </strong>This award always catches a lot of debate around the state and this year will likely be no different. There are several qualified candidates in the Class of 2023, but this Penn point guard is building himself one very good early season resume. The Notre Dame signee poured in 38 points while almost single-handily beginning the Kingsmen back from a 21-1 deficit against Zionsville to win 58-51.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Ben Davis is your Class 4A state title favorite.</strong> Saturday's nightcap featuring #1 ranked Cathedral, the defending state champions, and #2 Ben Davis more than lived up to the hype. The Giants are now a perfect 7-0 with an extremely impressive resume. 6'9" big man [player_tooltip player_id='1042497' first='Zane' last='Doughty'] put up 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks in their 62-50 win over the Irish. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1295357' first='KJ' last='Windham'] poured in five first quarter three-pointers on his way to 20 points. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1273713' first='Sheridan' last='Sharp'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1160716' first='Clay' last='Butler'] each made big plays as well. It is hard to predict any team who plays an Indianapolis-area schedule go undefeated, but Ben Davis has the depth and talent to potentially do it. They are THAT good.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->